Iowa City, Iowa

In the car on the way to Iowa City, home of the Hawkeyes, for Ben Lloyd’s dental school graduation. Some rain overnight and in the day’s forecast has us worried for the outdoor picnic planned, but we turn out to be rewarded. Mostly sunny skies and a nice breeze.

Picnickers/Celebrants include Clayton and Jan, Ron, Laura, and me, Ben and his wife, Aryn, and their year-old daughter Britta, Aryn’s parents, older brother Matt, twin sis Anne, and Grandma Zager. Hot coffee, fresh fruit, muffins (carrot and zucchini, among others) and mini-quiches made for a great lunch, as, of course, did the company. Won’t forget hearing about: the Zager’s on the road to Hana and exploring Oahu in Hawaii; Matt camping in the American West; Anne’s phlebotomy; Grandma Zager’s travels to Telluride; meeting Britta and seeing her with Aryn; and Ben’s win at the 2009 Bix (a story I never get tired of hearing).

Took a quick driving tour of Iowa City and the campus. Like the other Big Ten schools I’ve seen, Iowa sits on gorgeous, expansive grounds, in the middle of a smallish, cute, and comfortable town. Unlike IU, where the buildings are all (beautiful) limestone, or UM, where everything, despite the materials used or style of the building, has a timeless, well-worn feel, Iowa seems to have a nice mix of things. From the classic looking former state capitol building to the almost-space aged technology complex perched right on the river, the campus had a great look about it.

Jan, you’re right: Eastern Iowa (and especially Iowa City) is a spectacle. Next step: pull some strings to find us jobs!