Moo.

The first in a series of giant animals in Iowa:

the T stands for Tiberius

As I'm sure you're all aware, today is Captain James T. Kirk's birthday! Or pre-birthday. Or anniversary of his eventual birth... Is there a term to mark the date of something that hasn't happened yet? Preversary?

Anyway, Captain Kirk will be born 226 years from today in the little town of Riverside, Iowa, which happens to be a mere 20 minutes away (non-warp speed time). Every year the citizens of Riverside hold Trek Fest the last weekend of June. This year is Trek Fest XXXIII: "City on the Edge of Forever."

According to the Trek Fest website, "The festival tries to balance a small town fair that James T. Kirk may experience with a Science Fiction theme," which explains why the festival consists of an odd mix of tractor pulls and Star Trek costume contests (or what I like to call the best of both worlds).

The fact that I have no knowledge of or interest in Star Trek makes Trek Fest no less appealing to me. For one thing, it's basically a weekend devoted to William Shatner. Shatner! Also, it's people in costumes, which is enough of an excuse for me to do anything. I think I might have to experiment with yarn and go as a tribble.

Or R2D2.

my truckstop is bigger than your truckstop

This is the Iowa-80, also known as the world's largest truck stop:


This monolithic oasis is a welcomed sight to truckers as well as those, like myself, who are looking to have that traditional Christmas truckstop dinner ("God bless us, every one!").

Besides the standard truckstop fare - food court, gift shop, gas station - the Iowa-80 also has a ultra exclusive second floor just for truckers with a dentist, barber, movie theater, and fireplace. There's even a custom shop where you can have t-shirts screen printed (or naked lady mud flaps made!) while you peruse the Trucking Hall of Fame.

All this would be reason enough for me to stop, but the Iowa-80 pulls out all the stops one weekend in July when they host the Truckers Jamboree, a "place to celebrate and learn about trucking and those big rigs." The Truckers Jamboree includes events like an antique truck display, a super truck beauty contest, and the Trucker Olympics.

I can't wait.

finger lickin' good

What do Iowans want at their KFC?

Go west, young (wo)man.

I've lived in Iowa for less than a week now, but I've already decided that Iowa is the greatest state in the union. Why, you ask?

Is it because we have the highest literacy rate in the nation? Or is it because we're number one in pork production? Perhaps because Captain James T. Kirk will be born here on March 22, 2233? Oh no, it's because we have a pirate running for Congress. An alcoholic pirate. In a landlocked state:

James Hill for Congress.