Recreation in Iowa

By: Lauren S.

While Iowa is not necessarily known for its lakes or recreational activities, I was drawn to the Recreation exhibit because of personal interests. My family used to have a cabin at Clear Lake and I finally went to Okoboji for the first time last summer. I love the outdoors and Iowa has a charming landscape rich with natural resources. Even though many people find Iowa’s abundance of corn fields to be boring, many more exciting opportunities can be found when looking beyond the stalks.

We talked in class about bringing people to Iowa and getting people to stay in Iowa. I think one attraction is the state’s setting for a variety of recreational activities – sailing, swimming, fishing, cross-country skiing… Iowa is also well-known for RAGRAI, “the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world (RAGBRAI, 2010).” RAGBRAI supports the greater Des Moines area, local communities, and central Iowa. It contributes to the culture in Iowa and gives many people the opportunity to experience the state in a unique way. RAGBRAI went through Clear Lake this past summer and I remember hearing stories about riders doing all kinds of fun things – from the locals giving them boat rides and jet skiing to parasailing and swinging from a rope into the lake, Iowa can be a setting for all kinds of fun. I think part of the challenge is the many modern attractions available today which I won’t go into here.

In another part of the Historical Society I found a quote by Pope John Paul II that I thought related to preserving Iowa as a place for good recreational enjoyment: “You who live in the heartland of America have been entrusted with some of the earth’s best land, the soil so rich in minerals, the climate so favorable for producing bountiful crops, with fresh water and air available all around you. You are the stewards of some of the most important resources God has given to the world. Therefore, conserve the land well, so that your children and generations after them will inherit an even richer land than was entrusted to you (II, 1979).

Whether Iowa is a good place for recreation is up to each individual and their interests, but the way we present Iowa and the possibilities and opportunities available is up to us. Iowa may not have mountains or be near the ocean, but it has plenty of charms and a beautiful landscape to offer. Sometimes you just have to look for the fun.

Works Cited
II, P. J. (1979, October 4). Iowa, Irish Settlement.
RAGBRAI. (2010). Retrieved October 6, 2010, from What is Ragbrai?: http://ragbrai.com/index.php/about/