12 Things You Quickly Realize When You Move To Iowa

The Iowa Pork Tenderloin sandwich is giant. Yes, that's a normal sized bun. When newcomers see it for the first time, they are often surprised at its size. Native Iowans understand that the bun is simply a garnish.

Iowa has 65 lakes. Residents of this great state enjoy jet skiing at Okoboji, sailing at Clear Lake, and fishing at Lake Macbride. In spite of the fact that we don't have easy access to the ocean, we still have plenty of fun on the water.

Yep, we sculpt butter like otherd sculpt stone.

Iowans understand how important it is to stop and look at each and every amazing midwestern sunset. This particular scene shows the sun setting over Clear Lake. Gorgeous sunsets may happen pretty often around here, but we never get tired of them.

The first Fareway grocery store opened in Boone, Iowa in 1938. This popular store is still a staple in many small Iowa towns. There are 107 Fareway stores throughout the midwest. Their reputation for no-nonsense shopping, helping teenagers get their first real job, and offering as many pumpkins as a community may need each October holds strong.

You don't have to drive far out of any Iowa town to see corn and soybean fields. There are actually more pigs in Iowa than people. Last year, we harvested 13.9 million acres of corn.

The famous captain of the Starship Enterprise, James T. Kirk, will be born on March 22, 2228 in Riverside, Iowa. You may remember him from the series Star Trek. The monument was erected in 1968, after Steve Miller, a Riverside councilman, read the book Making of Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry. In the book, the author identifies Captain Kirk's birthplace and time.

He's not the only famous Iowan. John Wayne, Johnny Carson, Cloris Leachman, William Shatner, Brandon Routh, Elijah Wood, Jerry Mathers are just a few of the other well-known celebrities that call Iowa home.

Home of the first radio and the first computer, Iowa boasts more than a few amazing inventions. Iowans have the highest literacy rate in the nation, which probably helps us come up with great ideas like the trampoline, eskimo pies, and hybrid corn.

Iowa is one of the first states that has the chance to show support for presidential candidates. The Des Moines Register endorses a candidate, and the world watches closely. Presidential hopefuls spend months touring this state having pie and coffee in small towns to win the approval of Iowa's residents.

Fried candy bars are a big deal at county fairs, and a bigger deal at the Iowa State Fair. They are every bit as gooey and messy as you'd imagine. Iowans are innovative with food. Among other heart-stopping fried food, you'll find fried butter-on-a-stick, fried Oreo cookies, and fried Twinkies. We have savory treats, too. Our fried mac and cheese with bacon bits and sour cream racks up a mere 1,800 calorie count.