Why Des Moines?

I get asked that one a lot. People think I’m nuts because, after moving here from Colorado for school, I decided to actually stay. “But—the mountains!” people exclaim. Yes, they are very, very beautiful. But that’s part of the problem. Everyone has a vacation idea of Colorado. Living there, where everyone and their brother is building houses all over the scenery, is something else.

My question is, why not Des Moines? Well, okay, there’s the winter, I’ll give you that. Frozen humidity that encapsulates your car in a thin layer of ice is pretty annoying. But, maybe my problem is that I’m too optimistic. Winter just makes you appreciate the other seasons, and there’s plenty of that here, never mind the ice scraping. Besides, Colorado gets heaps of snow at really awkward times and people complain about it there, too, beautiful mountains and all.

I can’t say it enough: Des Moines is my idea of what makes America America. People are friendly and they appreciate hard work. Drive fifteen minutes (in minimal traffic) and you’re out of town. Drive five minutes anywhere and you’re bound to find some quirky shop (where you’re more likely than not to run into someone you know). Or if you have to get your strip mall fix there’s always West Des Moines. We have a State Fair that’s about everything quintessentially American: farming and deep-fried food on a stick. Voting is important here, and it feels like your vote actually kind of counts. Houses are quaint. Sundays are quiet. Neighbors still know each other.

If it’s possible to shove a small-town feel into a city, Des Moines does it, and I love it. Maybe the fried Oreos went to my brain; I don’t really know. Seriously, though: Why not Des Moines?