I Explored 10 Small Towns In Iowa On A Random Summer Day
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2022
- After seeing this, you might just want to move to Iowa.
I don't know if it's true or not but someone told me the two words I used the most in my last video about Iowa were boring and corn. My goal for the next week is to find more words to describe Iowa.
Todd Family Farm’s TH-cam page. You should subscribe - it’s AMAZING! / toddfamilyfarm -
They say Iowa's corn produces more oxygen than the Amazon. Iowa is also second in the country for agriculture. So maybe my FIRST new word to describe Iowa is important.
Believe it or don’t - I had never been to Iowa before. I had written about it and talked to lots of people who live here. I KNEW a lot about Iowa. But I had never stepped foot here before.
I’d spend an entire week here, criss crossing the state to figure it all out. I know - when’s the last time you ever heard of anyone spending a week here voluntarily?
Right now we’re in the small town of Belle Plaine, Iowa. Population two thousand four hundred and nineteen. That’s about average for small towns in Iowa. I’d know. I stopped in every small town I came to along the way.
And there are A LOT of small towns in the middle of Iowa.
#iowa #moving
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This channel is about America!
The best video on this topic!
Here's the entire Midwest road trip! th-cam.com/play/PLq-_cmf3H6yreUhBrJwFhC9LeCYh1TvBL.html
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"where hardly anyone is poor!" -Iowa
Hey Nick ... You would've liked Davenport Iowa.. part of the Quad Cities... sits right on the Mississippi River... We would love to have You
I'll bite why??
I’m from Chicago….I’ve been all over the country. Iowans are by far the absolute nicest and most genuine people you will ever meet in your entire lives. Every person should make it a point to go there just to see how basic human respect for strangers works.
That surprised me for you to say that as a person from iowa.
Thanks!!
No. They shouldn't. It will ruin it. Stay away.
@@raloufen4292 Exactly.
I'm from Minnesota and I agree. People from Iowa are extremely friendly!
I was born and raised in Iowa, and spent the first 57.5 years of my life there. I know Marengo, Belle Plaine and Tama. I graduated from Iowa State in 1988 and walked down the sidewalks you showed in your video. Seriously, I started crying a little. Thank you so much for showing me pictures of home. This was one of your best videos ever. I miss Iowa. This video was so beautiful. Thank you, Nick.
Aww okay Nancy ❤️❤️
Nancy, where do u live now?
Been through Jewell nancy?
@@runningkirkwa2934 Yes, a very long time ago. I was travelling with someone to Fort Dodge, and we took Highway 69 north through Jewell. This was back in the 1980's, though.
I lived in the Okoboji area for 10 years. I liked it a lot.
I choose boring and farming over NYC any day of the week
This
I think most people would but the problem is if you are single. What's good about Iowa is you can be in the middle of nowhere and just drive 5 minutes to Des Moines. That way none of us end up dating our cousin..
@@nq6508 I completely understand one of my childhood friends parents were first cousins and he was into his sister as we were growing up so I definitely understand
I can’t stand big cities this won the reasons why I moved from Chicago and New York is the worst city to be in because it’s too overcrowded too big and very rude people Iowa is nice very peaceful and the cost of living is low Compared to big cities like Chicago and New York which cost you 3000 and up just the rent apartment
I liked visiting NYC, but honestly I'd be living in a closet if that were my home
I'll bet it's beautiful in rural Iowa at night seeing a starry sky without a bunch of city lights drowning it out.
Yes, it absolutely is. We moved here from Cleveland almost two years ago, and I still can't get over the bright, endless stars against the black velvet sky here - for years I thought the stars had all disappeared living in Cleveland. It really is beautiful here.
It absolutely is you couldn't pay me to live in a city
I live outside of Brandon Iowa. I'm on 4 acres in the middle of nowhere miles down a gravel road. If I shut off all the lights around my property after dark the stars are literally the only source of light.
It is
Ottumwa Iowa...the stars are bright and sometimes it looks like you could climb on the roof and touch the moon..🌙
I'm from down under(New Zealand) and just spent 5 days in Iowa last month(sept)and luv'd it. Flew into DesMoine, up to Ames, down to knoxville, stayed in Pella(luvd Pella) Davenport for the vintage motor cycle swap meet, stop at I80 worlds largest truck stop and much more....very single person I met was super nice and could tell by my accent I wasn't from around here, I plan to visit again. Thanks for this video. Dale
I'm 65 and have lived in California for 52 of the last 53 years. My dad was raised in Iowa. I went to kindergarten there and spent summers at my grandparents home in Anita, IA. Population less than 2,000. Heading there in 2 weeks with my wife to look at homes. I want to "gear down" and spend my latter years in life in a small town with traditional values. Great video...Thanks!
@Kevin Shannon Crazy! My family moved to Anita in the early 1900s and farmed for almost a century! a few still live there though most are up there in age. Our family reunion is held every year at the park unless it rains then we meet in town at the VFW in Anita ..Casey's is the only convenient store in town..though Hy-Vee is just a couple towns away in Atlantic..Welcome home!
Welcome home!
As an Iowan, nice to see you roaming around in my neck of the woods. There's definitely a rich culture out here, though. More than just small towns and boredom!
white and corn is the lack of culture, not a culture
No offense, but keep it down brother. Theres enough corporations around taking over small towns and we dont need anymore coming over.
Tip my hat to ya, sir.
Oh yea for sure bud, I'd argue we are much more culturally rich than consumerist driven urban states.
riverbend I thought Midwesterners are hardcore capitalists. What are you yapping about now? Gates has money and he likes to buy farmlands. I don't hear you complaining about the real estate industry.
Invader Zim It is the tax from these corporations and states that pretty much keep the Midwest afloat. Don't be ungrateful.
Raised out 6 kids here and now 13 grand kids are being raised here! Lived in other states after kids graduated, moved back for the grand babies! Yes.. I’m an Iowa Native and love it here.. 4 seasons, big corn and mostly loving and caring people❤️
I’ve been watching your channel from the beginning and I’m a huge fan. As a lifelong Iowan I love the peace and serenity here. We raise gardens, we go camping, we fish and we do love our sports. We’re proud of our work ethic and the fact that our state is safe. It might be boring to some but after traveling I always look forward to coming back home to Iowa.
There's a lot more iowa coming up
Peace and comfort might be boring, and fear and lack of safety might feel...exciting?
Your lying statement lets me know you are high on Meth like 2/3 of Iowans.
I have lived in Iowa my whole life and I love it .It's not California,it's not Portland ,it's not Chicago, it's not Florida or Texas .Thank God .
I am so ... JEALOUS!
I believe not being those other places, but being Iowa is what makes the difference. Being down to earth and loving all humanity is so key. The full on "community" feeling in the small towns is what keeps them alive and the people so open and loving of one another. I am a native Iowan who moved away. And would love to return. The land and the people are great. So sad that so many cannot see what the riches of Iowa truly is. Which just lets Iowa remain the jewel it is the the people who appreciate it.
I'd take a small town in Iowa over Portland or anywhere in California any day.
Visited a friend in Ottumwa Iowa for a wedding. Was a great experience. We visited some other nearby towns as well. The people were very hospitable, and I enjoyed the homely, small town vibe. Nature is abundant and it was cool to see lots of open fields, preserved historical buildings and fireflies. Personally, I enjoyed the old school mentality. Hard work, honesty, perseverance and people look for solutions instead of complaining. I hope to return again sometime soon. It was a stark contrast for someone visiting from Vancouver, British Columbia. Like every place you visit there is problems but the overall experience was great.
Ironically ottumwa in this area is the bad reputation community lol glad you enjoyed it though!!!
Ottumwa has lost jobs and population, but it is near Pella and that's a pretty town with a Dutch heritage and jobs
@@timothykeith1367 yeah although you don't mess with their tulips lol
Ottumwa is a big town. I go there for shopping. Very safe - my .357 protects me from anything
As an Iowan who moved to Florida I can honestly say you gave Iowa a good showing and a fair representation. Good people. Lots of open land. Life is a bit more simple and slower there. Iowa...it gets cold but its nice.
It seems nice. Theres enough trouble in the big cities. I rather have boredom and peace over lots of lights and crime infestation.
Hope all of you in Florida in the path of Hurricane Ian are safe n doing as well as possible 🙏
thats pretty much the same case in nebraska, minnesota, kansas, north dakota… they are all very nice places. and i am a nebraskan aswell
Ok, however not very intersting
It's doesn't get that cold, anymore. some days in the winter we are warmer than LA on any given day.
I love this! I've been living Iowa for many years, but I grew up in Chicago. I've NEVER had a temptation to return to a big city. Iowa is just such a wonderful place to live.
@Deep Thinking there's plenty to be had!
This is the US the world never hears about. Love this lifestyle 😊
Você disse que o mundo nuca ouviu falar? Estou no Brasil na cidade de João Pessoa: Tenho acompanhado as coisas que acontecem na América deste jovem. Fiquem tranquilo todos estão vendo!
80% of da US don’t know about it 😊
Retired and we just moved from MN to Iowa on 10 acres…beautiful here on our turkey river…Iowa💕💕💕
I'm a born and raised Iowan, I moved out of the state to Oregon in 2015, and I moved because my significant other was moving, and i really didn't want our relationship to end.
We do plan to move back to Iowa when we save enough money, because Portland is not safe at all, and it super expensive to live here. Saw a house the other day in Iowa for sale for $75,000 in my home town. The best part is that it's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath house also with a garage. Here in Oregon your Lucky to get a house like that for $400,000.
I would like to add one final thing about living in Iowa, theirs a strange beauty to it that can't be fully explained. Maybe its the sea of green that surrounds you ever where you go, with the rolling hills to the west acting like waves, and perhaps it's the sea of the blue sky that seems to melt into the sea of green.
Long time Iowan here as well, The real problem with the small towns is finding work that pays more than minimum wage. A lot of the fast food and chain businesses are starting to pay a little better lacking any real benefits. Let's all be real that small town anywhere is dying because of lack of jobs to support them.
You guys went there not knowing that ? Smh it's a big city portland been that way
$400,000 for a major city in an industrialized country isn’t expensive.. if you think Portland crime is bad then you should see what actual big cities are like
Iowa is beautiful though and I would understand why you want to go back. I myself am considering leaving the big city
I just moved back from Washington state for the exact same reasons. Lol
There is no place on earth better to be a little kid than a small Iowa town.
All the kids I know from small towns myself included are addicted to crystal
@@joedirte716 I’m guessing if you move to another state, you’ll still be a tweaker. Not really fault of the state
That is a very wholesome family.
I live in Iowa and yes, it is safe and friendly. Farming is a difficult life but it is satisfying! It was nice to see someone say something positive about Iowa! Also in the small towns they have beautiful court houses!
There's more iowa coming up
@@NickJohnson Can't wait!! 😀
How many acres of farmland does Bill Gates own?
@@derp8575 ???
Are you high? Our southeast Iowa farming community is overrun with crime due to the meth heads stealing from farms every night. We have to lock our anhydrous tanks in the shed at night, last week the druggies cut down telephone poles to get the copper telephone lines, they stole over a dozen catalytic converters from a local trucking company last month, and son on. Stop lying about Iowa being a safe state. Iowa is a shit hole packed full of criminal cops, too.
I have been in Iowa for about 2 years now and it’s definitely all small. The food could be seasoned more for sure but small dutch, danish, and other European cultures help build Iowa. A lot of people never leave the state.
It’s important that there’s shared culture (Europeans ) values and beliefs morals etc why those small Midwest towns are safe I know this sounds bigoted but it’s true
I say this as a black person too
@@fluffybunni1276 yea just leave them to live in peace they don't need the garbage that comes with bigger cities
@@fluffybunni1276 thank you. Color don't mean nothing.. when hard times come.. you just help one another here. Hell I am mixed. Never knew discrimination till city folks came to town. So I move deeper into Iowa. We people don't judge, unless your lazy and don't want to work.
I am of mixed blood too. I never knew discrimination growing up in a small town. Moving was the craziest thing. I moved back years later. I just feel more comfortable here.
@@fluffybunni1276 no I completely agree. Grant it I’m southern and I’ve experienced a lot of discrimination but never In Iowa. Iowa people are very simple easy going people who hold tight to their traditions. It’s completely different from the south.
Good stuff! Really enjoyed your chat with the Todd family. Much respect for farmers and their families.
First 30 years in Iowa, last 40 years in Nebraska. Thanks for telling our story!
I hitchhike from Wisconsin to New York in the summer of 77. I was barely in high school. It was one of the great adventures of my life, and I always remember the good nature kindness of the Midwestern people.
I'm loving this series of the Midwest trip! It's the real deal, very raw yet informative! Keep it up, Nick! Thanks!!
I really enjoyed this one. Love that there’s still good places in the world. Thank you. Wonderful content.
Nick travels so I don't have to. Great series, thanks Nick.
Looks like good, healthy, peaceful living to me. Nice to still see towns left where not a bit of graffiti or trash on the ground is seen. Like how America used to be in the good ole days when I was growing up.
Demographics
It's great in Iowa. Were I live you do major shopping once a month. There's no place to eat for free, unless your in a city. Food shelves are inconvenient cause they are so far and few. Plus you don't get much if you go to them. Not a good place to go if you can't fend for your self. It's not a place for city "Karen'" this guy did a great job putting Iowa people down. He has no clue what he is talking about. Sad. Yet good. Cause we don't like fancy pants snooping and causing grief. People would be amazed how well educated us "red neck, hill billies" are. We have more then most do. Cause we have love, family as well as God. Welcome to the beginning of the west. Not much changes. We like it just they way it is.
@@conniepritchardreinhardt9978 Yes ma’am! I thought he was very condescending and after reading these comments I thought I was the only one.
Nice Nick. They are happy and good people. Thank you for bringing simplicity into view.
@@HaveADay4420 Idk what could be your problem. Nick spoke about the simple life out there in a wholesome way.
I, was reiterating that idea with a pleasing tone. And THEN there’s YOU…
Mind your business. You don’t know me. I’m a very positive person.
thanks for coming to Iowa. I'm originally from Indiana. Iowa feels like the 1960s and 70s when I was growing up. Sometimes frustrating but was a great place to raise my kids. You should do a video on the Dutch in the midwest. I'm in Pella but Iowa has areas of different nationalities represented. Czech, Norway, etc.
A very hearty German population too.
You captured the Iowa I know - lots of traditional stuff, long drives between cornfields, simple pleasures like the local baseball field, downtowns straight out of the 1930s, lots of drives "into town" to buy whatever you need, the local cemetery nearby... not for everyone, but if you don't need a lot of people around, it's a great place.
Nick, this is one of your BEST videos! I love these small rural mid west towns in rural America!
Been and worked all over Iowa since the the 70s . Did an ethonal plants in the early 2000s in Lamar's Iowa. Most friendly people i have ever met. Should have moved there in 09. Great little town.
Is that where Blue Bunny is?
Iowa is definitely IMPORTANT to our society 🇺🇲
Thank you .I love Iowa.Grew up in DesMoines.
Never been there.I appreciate the breadbaskets of the U.S
Absolutely!
Used to be. No longer.
I grew up in Lytton, Iowa, one of the little towns you stopped in. I spent a lot of time in Sac City and Rockwell City. My dad and mom (and then step mom) lived in Sac City during my adult years. I had a rough time in Lytton. My family was poor, and I wasn't popular. I ended up joining the USAF since I couldn't pay for college, and I ended up spending a few years overseas. It was a good decision. I have traveled to 10 countries and at least 30 states. I've gotten a much broader perspective on life, and I do enjoy big-city conveniences. I do go back once in awhile, though it is getting harder and harder to find anyone who remembers me. Sometimes I feel like a ghost when I drive around the town. As much as I couldn't wait to get out, when we moved recently out of the city to the far northern part of one of the suburbs, I was very happy to see that I can see corn fields out my (work at home) office window. I look at them as I go on my daily walks, thinking about those years growing up in Iowa.
That is WONDERFUL!! ❤️❤️❤️
Hello Nick, thanks for sharing. I used your videos to learn about Iowa, because I spent 1 month in there for leisure. I have visited other several places in US, mostly cities, and I like Iowa more, because of its people, its many parks and lakes, peaceful traffic, and still access to the busy Iowa City or Cedar Rapids when needed. Your videos are realistic, and I LOVE Iowa.
future video idea- eastern oregon down the oregon trail. the scenery changes from forests and rivers to desert like mountains to flat plains and all the way back again. i stopped multiple times. the ranches along the side are stunning. the small towns are nice. it’s like a completely different state. i started heading east from the gorge.
I 2nd and eastern oregon video
I was born and raised in Iowa, in a small town half hour from the heart of Des Moines. I still live here, though on the northside. When generations of farmers sons and daughters find better careers off the farm, farm's shrink. When corporate intrests buy up land, farm's shrink. When one farmer can out produce twenty farmers of his grandfather's era, the number of 'farms' shrink, though the existing farms, like the corporate farms, grow. These all effect the various towns. When I was a teen, we didn't think anything about driving back and forth to Des Moines several times a day. 'course, gas cost less then a buck back then, but minimum wages was just over $3, too. Now I live three blocks from work, and probably top off the fuel tank every other Friday. Iowa can be boring, yes, but it's a good sort of boring. People generally help people, sometimes without being asked. And, while there are plenty of conservatives and republicans, there are just as many liberals and independents, oh, and some democrats, too. Generally common sense and 'educate yourself, fool,' is also a common thing. Oh, and soybeans often outproduce corn, depending on who you ask.
Boring is good
@@ronaldhall9701 Boring is far better then unrestrained drama, that's for sure.
I grew up in Southeast Iowa have lived on Texas for over 60 years. But my Iowa roots are still there. Loved your video. Thank you
As an Iowan, born and raised, I have lived in 3 other states. The last place we lived was the KC metro area and we were so glad to get back to Iowa. It is a slower life style. Everyone is friendly and they are family oriented. We take care of our neighbors.
Good to see a clip on IA. I grew up in Southwest Iowa in Taylor County. Left the farm right out of High School in 1975 and still miss it. Have lived up in Alaska ever since. I miss my old home state. Was a great place to grow up and hard to beat. Still remember the Iowa State song.
"We're from Iowa, Iowa, state of all the land, joy on every hand. We're from Iowa, Iowa, that's where the tall corn grows!"
Stay blest Iowa!
Nick, I raised 4 kids in Davenport, Iowa. Don’t be so negative! Yes, small towns can be very racist and small minded.
I lived in Ames growing up! The best years of my life, bar none!
My husband and I left Davenport 37 years ago, on my 40th bday. Actually couldn’t wait to get outa there! Davenport had all but died at that time! We moved to the Phoenix area and new adventures awaited!
Kids went all different directions and have careers that Iowa couldn’t have provided.
I’m now 76 and ready for the rocking chair! Lol.
Much to be said for small town living! The homeless and drugs here are prevalent and I pity the kids growing up here in the Phoenix area! It would behoove the parents to move and move fast! Sorry, I’m writing a book! 😅I have so many happy memories of Iowa and have a granddaughter still there raising her kids! Yes, it can be boring for the teens but gotta tell you, nothing wrong with green grass and corn! Some of the best melons and veggies you’ll ever eat! Love your channel but go easy on us corn fed peeps! Life can be quite good!
I've always wanted to live in Davenport Iowa 🙂🙂 always seemed a nice mix of small town living n things to do like museums n river boats. N it's only an hour from my home town of Galesburg IL
@@mariacherrington61920 Yes, I’d like to love back!
Haha! “Move back”
Becky, what killed davenport? Have you been back recently, its not bad.
@@branwentemple5894 Yes to all! I used to work at the health department there. I think it was Ronald Reagan who stayed at the Blackhawk.
I think Iowa is beautiful. Beautiful nice rolling hills and the summer is full of vibrancy. Vibrate tones of green and blue as you drive and see the rolling hills for miles. It's peaceful and beautiful. Born and raised in Mason City and there's no other state I'd want to be in! I love Iowa
Born and raised Iowan here for 46 years now. Love it!
really looks like a wonderful place to live. Honestly. how refreshing. Love it.
Awesome video. So nice and refreshing to see how the heartland is still living and Tod family is a great representation of the morals that the big city should learn.
Nick, awesome video, always wanted to see the back roads of Iowa, beautiful !! Thanks for the comedy and lightness !
I want to say "thank you" for all of your time and very interesting posts! I get to see so much because of your hard work and talent! And I also like your subtle humor - also great...
Thank you
I’m a new Subscriber. I have never binged watch anyone on TH-cam till I met you my man. Thanks for all this.
…I know….Nick is riveting.
Yea definitely donating. Screw the news just watch NJ.
Thank you for your trip around my home state.. 27 years in Iowa, 34 years in Southern California, and ready to return. I traveled around iowa for five weeks the past two summers. If you talk Iowa summer, ya have to go to the local dirt track for stock car racing!
Don't ya come back here a small minded democRAT
We just moved to Walcott Iowa and love it. Super small, quiet family friendly community. It also has the world's largest truck stop. For the major shopping we go over to Davenport that's just 10-15 minutes up the highway.
Nick your videos are so well documented. I'm learning so much about all these places in the US I never got to visit. Thanks for sharing these !
I was at a truck stop in Des Moines and ate the best breakfast l ever had way back in 1973. Thanks Nick
Thanks for remembering Iowa 👍
Dubuque, Decorah and Elkader are jewels of NE iowa. Like as clean, safe and wonderful as can think of. Went to a family dinner beginning of December a few years ago in Decorah and it was lightly snowing. Couldn't have been a prettier experience and classic holiday feel.
My mom was born in Elgin. Her grandpa was Norwegian. Fun little town when we visited in the 70s but it’s heyday was long passed.
Thanks for a great insight into Iowa and Iowans. Very inviting. Your tour has reached its epitome!
If you ever find your way back come through Algona! I was born in the hospital in town and raised here. The only time I’ve lived outside of iowa was when I joined the marine corp but some how you always find your way back home. Thank you for giving our state alittle bit of spot light not many people know about iowa. Loved the video!
Ok Matt!
I am born and raised and still live here in Iowa. We do have forests lol. But honestly, I had no idea what a liberal was until recently unfortunately. I live in southern Iowa but have lived in all portions of the state. I really just don't want to leave. ❤️🙌
I thought that too. Plenty of forests around haha. Especially in eastern Iowa.
I’m waiting to close escrow on my mini farm in Iowa soon and I’m so excited. I cannot wait , I love Iowa.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay
I’m juiced , California and the whole west coast has lost the plot. There’s a murder everyday in Sacramento California where I work . I’m tired of the fires and no freedom here.
@@ProudIowan3519 there ain’t a leftist tendency in my body. I was raised by military vets and a Portuguese grandfather that survived the Great Depression. California is a cancer , the people that run this state making it into Washington was the greatest crime against our representative republic. “We will endure on as free men or we will die by suicide “- Abraham Lincoln ~ Lyceum Address , “I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery “ - Thomas Jefferson, these two quotes are bible verses in my home.
@@ProudIowan3519 I can appreciate your contempt for people from this state , it’s well earned . The rest of the country has no idea how bad California really is . It’s truly hell on earth here , as a former EMT in Sacramento I could tell you stories that would turn your stomach. Our children committing suicide here is on a serious rise and it’s heartbreaking.
@@ProudIowan3519 not I , I believe there is a time coming where we can not be civil with people that lean liberal . I lost my job because of liberal democrats and I’m bitter to the core. The monsters that run California punish hard working families and treat the elderly community like a curse . You’re very right to be Leary of Californians , the people here are evil , it’s not a minority either. It’s my life goal to tell people how horrific California is and the destruction liberal policies cause . This state is reducing punishment for child predators while increasing punishments for legal gun owners.
Thank You, Nick for the tour of small town Iowa.Enjoyed the trip and commentary. I love Iowa! Times I wish I had never left. Go back for visits, and always want to stay a little longer. On your next trip there, visit the Mississippi River area, the Maquoketa Caves, the Tulip Festival, and so much more.
Thank you for visiting Iowa Nick! My husband and I just moved here three months ago from Washington State. I never thought I would live in Iowa, but here we are. We moved to buy a slightly bigger property that we can afford, and the small town of Farragut Iowa (pop 490) is where we found one. Shenandoah is the nearest big town we can do our grocery. We love that its peaceful here, the people are nicer, down to earth, and yes we feel safer here. Gas is cheaper too. Oh my gosh, everything you mentioned in your video where the initial shock I had moving here😂 But hey, we don’t have to pay mortgage now and I can now have a bigger garden.
I''d love to travel to all 50 states. 35 down, 15 to go (Alaska, Hawaii, New England, and some southern states). I love all Nick's videos. I grew up in rural Iowa, and Nick, your new descriptive words--"farming," "sports," and "complicated"--resonate with me!
Hi Rhonda! You'll see all 50 eventually!
The reason for the coffee pot and coffee cup in Stanton is because it is the hometown of the actress that played "Mrs.Olsen" on Folger's Coffee commercials for many years...
My husband and I love to watch you, unboxing each state. You are doing a very good job 👍. Keep it up Nick 👍
Enjoy watching your videos Nick, learning in particular about the mid west. Have been to the US 3 times now and enjoy every visit.
This episode was of particular interest because we are farmers in Australia so always enjoy seeing the rural countryside there and listening to the Todd family in this episode was good.
Northeast Iowa is one of my favorite parts of the country.
Amen
As a Northeastern Iowan I will say I love driving the ridgetop roads in the fall, looking down into the valleys and across the landscape at all the different colored trees
Nick, words cannot express my appreciation for highlighting my home state (and town, Sac City!) in such a positive way. As a third generation journalist, I want to say that you give a thorough portrayal of the communities on which you report. This is an incredibly valuable service to all people of this country. This is one of the best TH-cam channels to ever exist. I hope that they're treating you well.
Hi Luke! I like iowa a lot!
I so enjoy your travels. Thanks for recommending Todd Family Farm. I subscribed and enjoy it. I have learned alot through you about our country.
Midwest is the best place to taste American rural culture with its uniqueness.
And then, spit it out.
@@zelphx Ok, I'm from Iowa. And yes, Iowa nice is a real thing. But when someone mentions ’tasting American culture' and some diccwad says 'spit it out', 'Iowa nice' turns into 'You better respect this country or I'm going to smack you in the fu*king face and punch you in the throat' if you disrespect it again'. 😊😊😊 And I would love to check out your neck of the woods, any given time if you would like to discuss this. HAVE A DAY!!!
I LOVE IOWA EVEN THO THE WINTERS CAN BE COLD,ICE, AND SNOW BUT FALL, SPRING AND SUMMER CAN BE TOTALLY AWESOME. IM 73 YEARS YOUNG. LOVE MY FLOWERS IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER. LIVE CLOSE TO A CREEK SO THERES ALL KINDS OF BIRDS..... LOVE NATURE ALL AROUND!!
Best one yet Nick!! What a solid interview with some fine Iowa folks. It's so easy to get wrapped up in your city / world. Also he might want to send a few of those kids to college to keep up on the technology. .
Thank's Nick for Sharing this Iowa Road Trip !! Bless , Arizona
Lansing looks more like the Berkshires in MA.
Also in western Iowa has the Loess Hills which are not only extant there, but the same type of topography is in China. Seriously worth it, driving down the scenic byways from the MO border all the way to SD.
NICK KNOCKS IT OUT DA BALLPARK !!
NICELY DONE 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇
Love this video Nick. Great job.
I haven’t commented in at least 6 months or when you left cash inside the box outside that store, you’re still one of the best in my opinion !! Being from NJ it was hard for me to find good pizza when I lived in Maine !!
Same here in SC!!! Can't find good pizza for shit!!! Also from Jersey sadly, embarrassingly. Thats just me tho🤷♀️
Great vid!😁 Born & raised in Iowa, moved to Colorado in 2000. I believed I had a polished green thumb b/c everything grows beautifully in IA., got a rude awakening in CO's arid climate, where being a mile closer to the sun is a game changer.🥀 Other states that contend w/ Winter love transplanted Iowans as we REALLY know how to drive in the snow!!❄️
Got that same lesson about my green thumb when I moved to Missouri.
I live in Iowa. We are eclectic. I live in liberal Iowa City. Wish I knew you were visiting. Would have taken you to lunch or dinner. We're Iowa nice so I hope you visit us again. Love your videos.
Hey Nick,I subscribed to the Todd family farm channel.What a great family!Thanks for the tip.
Moved to Iowa from Nebraska in 1989. I like it. My cowboy hats have a lot of dust on them. Seet corn is fantastic. Thanks for the video.
I have lived in several huge towns including Los Angeles and Washington DC. I ended up in a small town in Iowa through some serious situations, like the onset of the pandemic. Hartley is small, we have two gas stations a small grocery store and a dollar general, but we don’t have a single traffic light. I plan on staying here, life is quiet clean and happy here. ❤
Sounds like Mayberry
I too was born and raised in Iowa. Your food comes from our farm's. NO FARM'S, NO FOOD Sir! I've lived in Marshalltown, Fairfield and Council Bluffs. Graduated from The University of Iowa! This state is an AMAZING place to learn about life all the way around. See, this is what brother's me. Kid's now, they barely have the good old fashioned up bringing. Life experience is all around us. Seeing farm animals born, vegetables planted, CORN planted. Beans planted. Character is built. I wasn't raised on a farm but went to school with several kids who did. Generation after generation of farmers take PRIDE in being a farmer. Talk about how they have worked from sun up to sun down. This all being said, it takes special people to be able to FEED AMERICA!!!
And being SELF-EMPLOYED! Selling they're product to market. That's the 'icing-on-the-cake.' The AMERICAN way.
Thank you for the Todd Family Farm interview! Great people!
Spent the first 60 years in Iowa last 10 in Texas, moving back to Iowa this fall, really enjoyed Texas but the palm trees don’t have anything over on the fall tree colors in Iowa, beautiful!
I like Texas, but San Antonio now has 2/3 the population of the entire state of Oklahoma. Texas is still a vast rural state, but most here live in big cities.
City Slicker here wanting to give a shout out to Nick Johnson. Loved this video, it felt like a nice escape from the city. I appreciated your description of Iowa as "complicated". I took it as a "feeling" or an Iowan state of mind, especially surrounded by all that green heartland. Anyways, great vid, loved the Todd Family and just subscribed to them cuz of you 👍.
Yay they're awesome!
It's funny, but I think every Iowan watches this with nostalgia. I grew up in the Western Suburbs of Chicago and went to the University of Iowa and never went back. Why? Because I got in a traffic jam leaving downtown at midnight after a funeral on a Tuesday night and said ENOUGH.
Iowa was the first state to legalize interracial marriage, the first to admit women into universities, the first to allow women to own property, and the second to allow full marriage equity. We also are home to the first computer and the first trampoline. And the greatest thing since sliced bread is ....who cares? We invented sliced bread.
We have huge corporations here, including Rockwell Collins and John Deere. And our cost of living is low compared to the rest of the country. But what sets us apart is exactly what you describe in your video: our hard work and our compassion for others.
Come back in February and you'll see another side of Iowa. The ice storms that break trees, the -60F wind chill factor that closes down schools. A whole neighborhood emerging with snowblowers and shovels and working together to clear sidewalks and paths and checking in on elderly neighbors. But Cold. REALLY cold. "why do I live somewhere that hurts my face" cold.
I love it.
Thanks for showcasing my home state. Iowa is a great place to live.
I love the attitude of the farmer and his daughter. They know they are living in a great place and they appreciate it.
As a European i dont know much about the US apart from the popular states and cities, so it is really nice to see what a state like Iowa looks like, and i like it a lot! Simple living and humble people, no multiculturality (=crime & conflict) and a lot of nature. The only downside i see is that you need a car for everything as everything is spread. God bless Iowa
cars a must of most citieis that aren't the size or los angelas. But it's so much more convenient to have a car. You get to come and go as you please at any time of day or night.
Iowans are great people. They'll always help you. It's a nice quiet state.
❤ that farmer is very appreciative of simple living. and values his family more than anything.
Thanks for visiting Belle Plaine. You need to stop in the Museum next time. Pretty impressive place for a small town ! Home of Henry B Tippie !
I've always loved travelling the secondary roads that took me through midwestern towns like these. Especially the towns that had city squares. Now many of the storefronts are boarded up, but it is always exciting to find a small town trying to reinvent - no, that's not the right word - revitalize itself.
And most of the small towns that are thriving have mixed use centres that are walkable.
You forgot ethanol… That’s where a lot of our field corn goes. Renewable fuel!
Excellent video, Awesome people! Thank You
Love that family, they have my heart, God bless them.
Nick I would love to see you do some of the small rural towns out in the southwest desert. Death Valley maybe? Living is crazy out there is crazy!!
I am soon!
Heading there now for the summer. Can't wait! 😊
We’re very proud to have lived in Iowa…very special place. This is home…no place like home 😂. Thank you Nick for your kind words. Totally agree with you 👍.
There used to be a farm equipment dealer,(and not just a John Deere dealer) in every one of these little towns, but now even they’re gone.
I moved to Arizona from Wisconsin in 1981. Loved the move until now. In 1981 there were 1.7M people here, now there are over 7M. So crowded, all of the recreation along with the beautiful desert is all gone now. Would move somewhere else in a minute if it wasn't for our business. The Iowa countryside is a great peaceful respite from the crowded cities.