On The Road Again

Traveling is something I really enjoy. Several weeks ago, I accepted an invitation to accompany a friend to Iowa. A real plus was knowing I'd have the opportunity to visit with my brother as well as nieces and nephews and cousins.

Getting to just ride along instead of doing the driving was a real treat. For a change I was able to really see the countryside. And it was fascinating.

Not far into the journey, I saw water from recent rains surrounding large round bales and pooled in wheat fields. My heart went out to the farmers and ranchers for their loss.

Farther along I noticed how green the pastures and hills were – not a common sight the end of August. The contrast between the green grass and black cattle was startling and so striking.

Going across South Dakota, I gazed in awe at the Painted Canyon. The colors, the shapes, the vastness combined to fill me with wonder at its beauty.

Brilliant bursts of bright yellow scattered across the land in North and South Dakota signaling fields of sunflowers were in full bloom.

Every once in a while I'd notice a hawk gliding through the air in search of food. Ducks taking off from and landing on a stock pond here and there were a pleasing sight.

And there was the traffic itself. Semi trucks hauling grain, pickups pulling a camper, cars, buses, motorhomes -- made me wonder where all these people were going.

Stopping now and then to get gas also meant browsing through the convenience store, deciding on a snack and visiting with other travelers.

Once we were in Iowa, my brother met us and I went with him while my friend went on to visit her family.

As my brother and I took a drive, we passed an Amish man in a horse-drawn buggy. Buggy tracks were very visible in the dirt along the edge of the highway.

Sitting on my brother's deck of a morning, enjoying a cup of fresh, hot coffee, the quiet wasn't really quiet. Quail were calling to each other -- bob white, bob white. Robins and sparrows were hopping around the yard looking for their breakfast. But there was a peacefulness as I gazed at the field of very tall corn that started at the edge of the yard and I could feel tension and worry starting to fade away.

Before long my friend and I were headed home. Stopping at a rest stop with a view of the Painted Canyon, we saw several bison grazing in the area around the buildings -- three cows and a bull. As we started to pull out, I had a very close view of the bull's face. It really was something awesome to see.

At one point, my friend commented on seeing the highway stretch straight out in front of us for miles. It was a sight to behold -- making one think of infinity.

Soon the sun was setting on our last night on the road. The silhouettes that appeared, coupled with scattered white clouds against a brilliant blue sky beginning to be tinged with golds and oranges and reds was breathtaking.

The beauty and majesty I saw on the entire trip still replay in my mind. I am so grateful I had the chance to really see what a beautiful and awe-inspiring country we live in.