Travel: The Rest of Des Moines

Des Moines, Iowa

Here are the stragglers. In decending order...

1. The East Village leading up to the State Capitol building

2. Fancy Art Downtown

3. Delicious post work meal

4. It was 92 degrees, we cooled off any way we could

5. Shiny ball

Travel: Iowa State Capitol

Iowa State Capitol

If you've ever wanted to take a trip to Europe but don't think you could afford it, go to Des Moines. Yes, in Iowa. Stop laughing, I'm serious... sort of. Though the town itself is a very un-European collection of buildings and citizens, upon the rich soil of this Iowan metropolis exists a small slice of European design brilliance. The State Capitol building is one that upon visiting immediately forces you to wonder if perhaps they didn't just airlift an actual European structure and drop it ever so softly in the middle of the Iowan countryside. When I actually went to Europe I took many pictures even though I knew the pictures wouldn't even come close to describing the experiences I was experiencing. I felt the same way here. This is an old building (by midwest American standards), built in the late 1800's. More than that though, it is perhaps the most intricate and uniquely decorated building I have come in contact with this side of the Atlantic Ocean. There is a chance I'm just being dramatic and am simply buying into the architectural version of what have you done for me lately. But I really don't think so. This place was strikingly beautiful. Worth a visit for anyone who loves stunning architecture, beautiful ornamental design, a slice of European flair and above all the overwhelming feeling of majestical freedom contained within the walls of a governmental palace. A palace surely built to honor the glory and might of the United States political system. 

Travel: Des Moines

Neal Smith Trail Bridge

A few weeks ago I went to Des Moines, Iowa. I also went to Kansas City. More pixelated documentation will follow of these fancy midwestern towns, but for now I start with a bridge. I start with a bridge because why not? If you haven't noticed yet, I'm a big fan of bridges. Not all bridges of course. Some bridges are boring, lame, and uninspiring. Some bridges were clearly built by governments that didn't value the American dream of blowing excessive money on cool looking things. Those run of the mill bridges do not get pictures taken of them. They do not get featured on this blog. I only care for the special bridges, bridges that stretch the possibilities of engineering and highlight creative design and unique construction. This pedestrian bridge in downtown Des Moines certainly fits the bill. It spans the Des Moines River and connects downtown Des Moines to what is referred to as the East Village. And I know I speak for most of Des Moines when I say thank goodness for this seemingly pretty expensive bridge. If this bridge didn't exist, Des Moinians would have to walk nearly .2 miles south to reach another bridge.  Google Maps says that would take almost 3 minutes to successfully navigate by foot. That is 3 minutes that the average Des Moinian does not have time for. Though I may have just not so subtly and mostly sarcastically proven this bridge to be kind of pointless, it is a beautifully pointless bridge and I am glad they built it.