Wow. This is SO rich! I've never been to Iowa, but your recollection of your trip there was so vivid that I almost felt that I had. When you wrote that you arrived at dusk--your favorite time of day--you had me. I call dusk the "magic hour." The sky is so alive you can almost feel it--it's no longer only visual. And fireflies! I grew up in Ohio, and fireflies are among the things that I miss the most. So I have a newfound appreciation for that state in the middle of the country.
And now you are in Arizona. A wee bit different from Iowa (or Chicago or Seattle!). I've spent time only in the Flagstaff area--very different from Tucson. But I may need to check out the southern part of the state. I want to see that ocelot! What a beautiful animal.
Really appreciated your reflections on the differences between cities--and how it is possible to love and appreciate those differences even if you don't necessarily want to live there. That's probably one of the main reasons that I love to travel--I want to know what those differences are. Throughout your trip you have shown an appreciation for the places you have been for their own sake. That's a gift. Many people who travel think only of how other places compare to where they live and judge them on that basis instead of considering their inherent qualities and values on their own merits.
And, hear hear--I champion the idea you are considering for your future posts. As wonderful as it is to have the opportunity to travel to amazing places, the most durable of your memories will likely be the experiences you had with the people you encountered. I value the time that we spent together, and I assume that your conversations with others along the way were equally as fulfilling. So, yes, you have my vote for continuing to explore connections across time and place.
Wow. This is SO rich! I've never been to Iowa, but your recollection of your trip there was so vivid that I almost felt that I had. When you wrote that you arrived at dusk--your favorite time of day--you had me. I call dusk the "magic hour." The sky is so alive you can almost feel it--it's no longer only visual. And fireflies! I grew up in Ohio, and fireflies are among the things that I miss the most. So I have a newfound appreciation for that state in the middle of the country.
And now you are in Arizona. A wee bit different from Iowa (or Chicago or Seattle!). I've spent time only in the Flagstaff area--very different from Tucson. But I may need to check out the southern part of the state. I want to see that ocelot! What a beautiful animal.
Really appreciated your reflections on the differences between cities--and how it is possible to love and appreciate those differences even if you don't necessarily want to live there. That's probably one of the main reasons that I love to travel--I want to know what those differences are. Throughout your trip you have shown an appreciation for the places you have been for their own sake. That's a gift. Many people who travel think only of how other places compare to where they live and judge them on that basis instead of considering their inherent qualities and values on their own merits.
And, hear hear--I champion the idea you are considering for your future posts. As wonderful as it is to have the opportunity to travel to amazing places, the most durable of your memories will likely be the experiences you had with the people you encountered. I value the time that we spent together, and I assume that your conversations with others along the way were equally as fulfilling. So, yes, you have my vote for continuing to explore connections across time and place.