Category Archives: Trip Reports

Jan 15

A tribute to the women of country music

I sang at the Grand Ole Opry. When I took my place, tourist version or not, I thought about the women of country music, often overlooked, who helped make me the person I am today.

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Dec 03

Okoboji writers retreat recap 2025

I didn’t do a story on my time at the Okoboji Writers (and Songwriters) Retreat last year because I ran into a different story on my departure via Sioux City, but I did this year. If anything, I had to … Continue reading

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Oct 31

Completing my circumnavigation (in 2015)

I almost, but not quite, published a recap of Day 8 of my circumnavigation of Iowa on the day of the 10th anniversary (!) of it happening. It’s still to the month, though.

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Aug 26

Tiny town, big exhibit

The sign along Kansas Highway 9 said “Open every day”, and given that it was Sunday, I was going to give a museum in tiny Logan a chance. I was extremely not disappointed, and got a sneak peek at a … Continue reading

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Jun 19

Circumnavigation report Day 7

My circumnavigation series continues entirely along Iowa’s southern border down to Keokuk.

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May 13

Circumnavigation report Day 6

The entire corner of southwest Iowa was explored in one day in 2015, with enough time to catch a football game.

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May 08

Circumnavigation detour: State lines

In my circumnavigation report I split off a story dedicated to oddities in Iowa’s state borders. Did I put “Day 5 1/2” on here? If not, despite being 11 months old, it’s new to you!

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Apr 10

Iowa, Louisiana

I’m a bit behind on linking my Substack posts from here — long story. But many of them are not too time-specific. (And those that are, well, they’re still worth reading!) Here is my travel story from Iowa, Louisiana, which … Continue reading

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Feb 26

Circumnavigation report Day 4

Ups and downs to hit unvisited towns, plus the northwest corner tri-state marker, are covered in the continuation of my 2015 circumnavigation of Iowa.

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Jan 02

2023 year in review column

The inspiration for my 2023 year-end column came from the very end of 2022, as I was making flight reservations. It’s a good thing, I suppose, given what happened June 29. I don’t expect to be able to take many, … Continue reading

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