While many people often refer to Iowa as a flyover state in the heart of the Midwest, I get to call Iowa home. There are those who would like to leave Dubuque as soon as possible, I love my hometown. As a Dubuque native, I grew up divided between trips on the Mississippi River, going to our family farm in Zwingle, getting educated and playing sports at school, and enjoying life in what I would refer to as a “medium-sized city.” If one were to travel to Iowa, my favorite places to go would be Dubuque and Lake Okoboji. For fun in Iowa, people often joke going to walk around Walmart or just driving around are the only fun activities. I disagree, however, when it comes to Dubuque and Okoboji. While I often travel to Iowa City for Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games, Cedar Falls for school, and Des Moines to see family friends, I have found the most enjoyment on the water. During a trip to Okoboji when I was a kid, we got the chance to go on the lake and participate in various watersports and go fishing. Similarly, the Mississippi offered many of the same opportunities growing up. After playing 8 different sports in high school and being what some would call a “jack-of-all trades,” I have had a wide variety of experience in finding what I love to do. Iowa is a place where you can do just that and focus on finding yourself and your various passions. For anyone thinking about traveling to Iowa, I would highly recommend it, especially those who enjoy the simplistic beauty of nature, the chance to get out on the lakes or the rivers, explore of the various caves and parks, visit amusement parks, or other places of personal interest.