Iowa.
I have lived in the state for over 5 years now, bought my first house, and had my first kid here. If you asked me 6 years ago that I was going to live in Iowa? I wouldn’t believe you, but here we are right? One thing that my ‘out of state friends’ just don’t get is some of the stuff here in the state that is incredibly foreign to them and they just plain ‘don’t get it.’
Here are 5 things that my out of state friends just blow their minds about Iowa.
- Gas Station Pizza
Casey’s pizza is very strange to them. Back in my hometown, pizza is usually purchased at a place name Alfano’s, Napoli, or Palermo….NEVER a gas station. Here in Iowa though? We have Casey’s and it’s one of our prime spots for a slice. Going into a Casey’s is not only for filling up your car, but filling up your stomach too…courtesy of the turntable pizza.
- Driving 2 hours like it’s no big deal.
Not everything in Iowa is centrally located like your typical city. Back in my hometown, it was ALL right there! Heading from Grand Rapids to Detroit had to be a planned weekend trip, but heading to Des Moines? Eh…no big deal…want to go to the mall even though it’s an hour drive? No big deal! I think it’s thanks to our highway system and lack of city traffic. Just get in the car, see the vast open lands, and you’ll be there in a couple.
- Tenderloins.
Truly have to see to believe. One of the first things I was introduced here in Iowa a few years ago was the massive Iowa tenderloin. Anytime family or friends out of state visits? They at least have to have a tenderloin at least once! Hell even when Russ came to town, the first thing he had to have? Brought him to Newton’s in Waterloo for a tenderloin…it’s like a right of passage or something.
- Iowa State Fair.
When they say nothing compares, nothing really does. I remember when I told friends that Slipknot was performing at the Iowa State Fair and their first reaction was ‘Wow, how far they have sunk to play a State Fair.’ Ummmm no man, little do know how massive the fair is, and when the fair happens? It’s the states leading event attracting spectators from all around the country. It’s unlike any other state’s fair.
- Comcast doesn’t really exist here.
Mediacom, Centurylink, CFU…but what about one of the biggest internet companies in the country Comcast? Nope…not available in Iowa, at least I think it isn’t. I get teased that our internet is powered by corn, but honestly I haven’t had really any MAJOR issues with my internet in Iowa. It’s not perfect by any means, but it’s funny to hear my friends reactions when they hear there is NO Comcast…HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!?!
When people ask what there is to do in Iowa, I give them a list of things…and they have a hard time comprehending that there are actual THINGS to do here.
