15 Reasons Why My Heart Will Always Be In Iowa

Like many Iowans, I spent my younger years daydreaming about getting out of Iowa as soon as I had the chance. I longed for the bright lights and busy streets of New York City, or the warm and sunny beaches of southern California. But inevitably, I came to realize that there are so many reasons that my heart will always be in Iowa. Iowa is no California; we don't have oceans, but we do have seas of prairie grass and wildflowers. We may not have skyscrapers and subways, but we have wide open skies and gravel roads that make for a perfect night of stargazing. There are many reasons to love Iowa, these are just a few:

1. Fresh air that feels sweet and clear in your lungs.

We're far from the smoggy coastal cities - out here, it's so easy to breathe.

2. Rich, black dirt that can grow anything.

We're so proud of Iowa's farming industry, and there's nothing like cooking with fresh produce.

3. Some of the greenest prairies you'll ever see.

It rains a lot in Iowa, and though sometimes the floods really reshape our lives, the beautiful green fields and wildflowers bring a bright life to the Hawkeye State.

4. Wide open skies, where you can see for miles and miles.

We could drive our country roads for miles.

5. Charming countryside scenes of worn old barns sitting comfy in a field.

There's nothing that says "Iowa" more than a scene like this.

6. Breathtaking sunsets that make the whole sky glow.

Nothing beats an Iowa sunset - particularly if you catch one out in the Loess Hills.

7. Warm July nights at the county fair.

Fairs are an integral part of life in Iowa!

8. Slow cruises down gravel roads just before sunset.

Remember heading out to drive the loop and choosing to "go gravel" when you were younger?

9. The simple beauty of the Iowa landscape.

Even if we leave, we can never get the images of Iowa out of our heads.

10. Charming small towns where everyone knows your name.

From Pella, to Winterset, to Mount Vernon - every small town here is worth a visit.

11. The nicest people you'll ever meet, who would give you the shirt off their back.

"Iowa Nice" is a real phenomenon.

12. Farmers who work their hardest everyday to feed the country, and the world.

We're so proud of our farm culture!

13. Being able to enjoy the simple things in life.

Life out here is a little quieter, and a little slower, and that makes it a little nicer, too.

14. But always having something new to explore.

Caves, hills, cliffs, bluffs, and rivers... there's always something to see.

15. Iowa puts the "heart" in America's Heartland.

And these reasons are just a handful of the reasons that our hearts will always be in Iowa!

I don't know about you, but there's no place I'd rather call home, and my heart will always be in Iowa. For more reasons to love life in Iowa, read about 8 Strange Habits That Follow You For Life After Living In The Hawkeye State.