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Standing at the base of a lush canyon carved through towering Mississippi River bluffs, something becomes very clear: Iowa has secrets to share. It's a state known for agriculture, but so much grows here beyond field crops.
Cities sparkle with boutique hotels, award-winning restaurants and public art. Small towns hold artisan bakeries, scenic wineries and pop-up pizza nights. Ancient landscapes invite adventure-hiking on glacial knolls, wildlife-watching in rustling prairies, and clambering through rocky caves.
On our summer Road Rally, this year in partnership with Travel Iowa, the Midwest Living team spent four days driving across the Hawkeye State, from the Missouri to the Mississippi. All along the way, we found experiences that bridged Iowa's roots and its future. Every day brought unique opportunities to get outside, go underground, see art, learn about the immigrant groups that shaped Iowa's history and taste what the land provides. Agritourism? More like agriculture.
LOESS HILLS The Loess Hills run down Iowa's western border like a spine. Rising 300 feet above the Missouri River valley, the unusual slopes were formed from sediment that was carried by water, moved by wind, then shaped by water again. Though their exact age is unknown, Iowa DNR volunteer Larry Green believes they predate the Yellowstone Supervolcano eruption 640,000 years ago, due to volcanic ash found in the area. Loess Hills State Forest encompasses four unitsPreparation Canyon, Little Sioux, Pisgah and Mondamin. We started at the Loess Hills Scenic Overlook in the Preparation Canyon Unit. From there, hikes branch off in all directions.
This story is from the Summer 2024 edition of Midwest Living.
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This story is from the Summer 2024 edition of Midwest Living.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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![summer sequel](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27496/1701283/SjmwKUZad1715947458619/SUMMER-SEQUEL.jpg)
summer sequel
A MINNESOTA COUPLE'S NEW LAKE HOME PRESERVES THE SOUL AND CONTINUES THE TRADITIONS OF THEIR FAMILY'S CABIN THAT STOOD ON THE SAME SITE FOR DECADES.
![STAYING AFLOAT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27496/1701283/d-KKa7AzB1715947041262/STAYING-AFLOAT.jpg)
STAYING AFLOAT
CENTURIES AGO, FRENCH CANADIAN FUR TRAPPERS DRAGGED HEAVY CANOES OVER THE LAND AND LAKES OF PRESENT-DAY VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK. ON A FIRST-TIME HOUSEBOAT JOURNEY, THE MOST WE LUGGED WAS A COOLER BUT WE SNARED A WEALTH OF SOLITUDE, SUNSETS AND LAUGHS.
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A FIRST-TIME HOUSEBOATER
Consult a map when choosing a rental company.
![AGRI(CULTURED)](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/27496/1701283/Klo0YDLBK1715944233980/AGRICULTURED.jpg)
AGRI(CULTURED)
FOR OUR EIGHTH ANNUAL ROAD RALLY, WE DELVED INTO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE, FARM-FRESH FOOD, AND A THRIVING ARTS AND CULTURE SCENE IN IOWA.
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NEIGHBORHOOD - STRAWBERRY HILL FOREVER
WITH ARTIST LAEDAN GALICIA, AKA DINKC, AS YOUR GUIDE, EXPLORE THE COFFEE SHOPS, DIVE BARS AND DIVERSE EATS OF THIS HISTORIC POCKET OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.
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JOURNEY - RAPID STRIDES
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, HAS HAD A HOPPING BEER SCENE FOR YEARS. BUT TODAY, THE CITY'S CULINARY LANDSCAPE IS MORE THAN JUST ITS GREAT BREWS MORE DIVERSE, MORE FRESH, MORE DELICIOUS.
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SWEET LIFE HERE COMES THE SUNDAE
MOVING TO A NEW CITY BRINGS UPS AND DOWNS EVEN WHEN IT'S REALLY YOUR OLD CITY. THANK GOODNESS FOR ICE CREAM.
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LIVE WELL - VEG OUT
EATING A GREATER VARIETY OF PLANTS HELPS YOUR HEALTH AND THE PLANET'S. HERE ARE SIX TASTY WAYS TO GET IT DONE.
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STUDIO SESSION - IN VIVID COLOR
CHICAGOAN EMILY VAN HOFF PIECES TOGETHER FABULOUSLY SATURATED, INTENTIONALLY HAPPY WORKS OF QUILTED ART.
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SPACES - HOUSE OF BLUES
RHYTHMIC PATTERNS AND A NAUTICAL PALETTE HIT ALL THE RIGHT NOTES AT A WATERSIDE HOME IN WISCONSIN.