If I Were Going...: Midwest Adventure: Iowa State Fair

Healthy eatin'

Our next day's adventure took us to Des Moines, Iowa, which was originally just to be our first night's stop on our way to Minnesota, before we added the stop at Merritt Reservoir. Scott had found out that the Iowa State Fair was in progress and wanted to go. So, we left South Dakota early enough to make it to Des Moines by mid-day. My original plan had been to drive all day and then go to the fair the next morning before heading on to Minnesota. While mid-day made more sense for traveling, it didn't for temperature as the day pushed up into the 90s.

But, I am getting ahead of myself. Our trip took us through the classic Midwest milieu ...

A typical rural scene

While it doesn't have the majesty of the west, there is a certain beauty in the Midwest. The miles and miles of cornfields with the tassels lit by the sun, massive barns, a wide variety of silos and corncribs, some pretty impressive farm equipment, horse and cows grazing in the fields create a Norman Rockwellian feeling that seems so American. And, we even got to watch that iconic farm activity -- crop dusting. I am sure it is horrible for the lungs, but it is fun to watch.

Crop duster

We arrived in Des Moines around noon and, unfortunately, we couldn't check into our hotel early. So, we headed to the fair. Had we been able to get into the room, we would have chilled for a few hours and gone to the fair in the evening. I had booked a hotel instead of camping because this was supposed to be a quick stop. I am glad I did because of the heat.

I normally stay in Best Westerns because they tend to be clean, convenient and relatively inexpensive. Plus, their rewards program is great. But, in my opinion, the Des Moines BW (by Adventureland amusement park) left a bit to be desired, especially as the air conditioner struggled (and failed) to conquer the humidity. And, it was on the expensive side of BWs.

A true American state fair

With over a million visitors a year, the Iowa State Fair is billed as one of the best in the country. It was the inspiration for the iconic 1945 movie, "State Fair," which was remade in 1962 (and moved to Texas).

A sand sculpture

As one would expect, the Iowa State Fair specializes in agriculture and livestock. That is what I like the most about fairs. Well, I actually don't like fairs much because they are usually hot and crowded. But, I do enjoy seeing the animals, like this magnificent Belgian Draft Horse getting a bath after competing ...

The horse just enjoyed a cooling bath

... or these miniature horses ...

The little "princess" looks cute driving hers; the man, not so much

Of course, what is Iowa known for?

Pork, pork and more pork

And, there were lots and lots and lots of pigs on display ...

And, even more pork

Serious competitors

... in more ways than one ...

Pork overkill

In addition to the pigs, there were some impressive agricultural displays, including Iowa's other claim to fame, corn (lots and lots of corn) ...

I am not sure how they judge corn

And, of course, we saw the thing everyone asks about; THE BUTTER COW! The tradition started in 1911 and in the ensuing 105 years, only five different people have been official butter sculptors. The cow lives in a 40 F cooler and is viewed through a glass window.

A dairy cow weighs 1,000 pounds; Butter Cow is 600

According to the Iowa State Fair website, the Butter Cow starts with a wood, metal, wire and steel mesh frame. The sculptor works inside the cooler, adding layers of low-moisture, pure-cream Iowa butter to create the eight-foot-long cow. Much of the butter is recycled and reused for up to 10 years.

Every year, in addition to the Butter Cow, the sculptor also makes a themed butter sculpture. This year, it was the Starship Enterprise.