Iowa Road Trip Pictures {Cross Country Road Trip Adventures}

I Was Here: Iowa {Wordful Wednesday/Cross Country Road Trip Adventure}

We’re still settling in here in Lake Chelan, Washington and enjoying our breathtaking surroundings.

But just a few short weeks ago, we were surrounded by a whole lot of this…

Blue skies, the open road and an exciting cross country adventure.

As my family and I drove from Missouri to Washington state, I marveled at the beauty of our country; the scenery just as diverse as the many people who call America “home”.

Our short drive through Iowa proved to be uneventful – nothing but farms, grain bins and silos on the particular stretch of highway we traveled.

But this old roadside motel certainly caught my eye.

It was a little reminiscent of Ed Ruscha’s Twenty-six Gasoline Stations, I suppose.

Though my search for photographic inspiration fell short in Iowa (no offense to the lovely people of Iowa – please don’t send me hate mail), I’m thrilled to say that I Was Here.

We drove through farmlands and plains and past abandoned schoolhouses as we continued our journey west.

I’ll be sharing more about our cross country road trip throughout the rest of the week.

South Dakota

Wyoming

Montana

Idaho

There’s no end to the beauty we discovered.

But for now I’m unlacing my red Converse kicks and reliving those memories here on the blog. I sure hope you’ll join me.

*Photos taken with my Canon 7D, Tamron 24-70mm 2.8 and 18-270mm 3.5-6.3 lenses.

Linking up with a few friends…

43 Responses to “I Was Here: Iowa {Wordful Wednesday/Cross Country Road Trip Adventure}”

alicia (102 comments)

You made me laugh out loud. And hard to believe but I’m really missing the openness and white photo ops of Iowa these days. I think everyone needs a drive across our amazing country at least once in their lifetime to really gain an appreciation for the beauty and diversity that we have been given.
alicia´s last blog post – WW: Determination

Kristi (4349 comments) twitter: @TweetingMama

Haha! Seriously though, tell your peeps not to send me hate mail. There weren’t a whole lot of photo ops along the stretch of highway we drove on. I was extremely disappointed.

Rhonda @Laugh Quotes (3 comments) twitter: @laugh_quotes

that first shot is not how I visualized Iowa in my head. Nice collection.
Rhonda @Laugh Quotes´s last blog post – Copping a Feel for Wordless Wednesday *Linky

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Satakieli (47 comments)

Lake Chelan looks so beautiful, but I have to say: As an immigrant I am fascinated by rural America and photos of it, there’s nothing quite like it anywhere in the world. I love the motel photo.
Satakieli´s last blog post – Ice Skating

Kristi (4349 comments) twitter: @TweetingMama

Is it weird that I totally thought of you when I took the motel photo? lol

Satakieli (47 comments)

haha, maybe just a little :p
Satakieli´s last blog post – Ice Skating

pieni lintu (40 comments) twitter: @so

Love to see those red shoes everywhere – great shots <3
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Kristi (4349 comments) twitter: @TweetingMama

Aww, thanks! Well you’ll have to come back again throughout the week. I’ll be sharing photos from all the states my red Converses stepped foot in.

Dagmar ~Dagmar's momsense (192 comments) twitter: @DagmarBleasdale

I wish I had the time to take a longer road trip – might just have to grab L one day and go in the spring
Dagmar ~Dagmar’s momsense´s last blog post – Shop Small: 20% Off Sale at Dagmar’s Home Decor

Charlotte (24 comments) twitter: @thecrumbymummy

Fab photos! Love the last one.x
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Lolli @ Better in Bulk (113 comments) twitter: @1momof5

I’m cracking up…but I would have to agree. Strangely, though, your lack of photo-worthy scenery produced some incredible photos!!
Lolli @ Better in Bulk´s last blog post – Become a Minion – The New Despicable Me Ride at Universal Studios #WW

Kris @ Beyond the Whiskers (7 comments) twitter: @beyondwhiskers

Is it bad that my fav shot is the B&W shot inside the car? I just love how B&W brings out texture differences between the crinkles in the palm of a hand to the smooth lines of sunglasses. Safe travels and happy shooting!

Christy Ann (15 comments) twitter: @babybraddy

I agree that Iowa isn’t the most exciting state to drive through, but there is still a certain beauty in your photos! It’s Americana! Looks lovely where you are now, though. Enjoy the trip back, I just love road trips!
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The Mommy (50 comments) twitter: @bcIMthemommy

You didn’t see any wind farms?!?! That’s my favorite part about Iowa! I think I have a couple HUNDRED photos of them from my last trip. I’m sure my in-laws were sick of me making them pull over so I could take “just a couple of shots”!
The Mommy´s last blog post – WW w/LINKY: New Specs

Ai Sakura (29 comments) twitter: @aisakuraharuka

those are stunning photos and thanks for sharing. I don’t think I’d ever have a chance to see America like this in real-life.
Ai Sakura´s last blog post – Wordless Wednesday {linky party}: Danboard Christmas Light-Up | Week 49

Maya (168 comments) twitter: @MarfMom

i’d love to take a road trip like that sometime! mark did, from boston to san jose, when he moved for work. how are you adjusting to WA?
Maya´s last blog post – Just Turned 2!

Jennifer (32 comments) twitter: @Life_Darling

I can’t wait to see more. I was still in grade school the last time my family took a cross-country drive, so I obviously did NOT enjoy or appreciate the experience! LOL!
Jennifer´s last blog post – In The Buff – WW

kewkew (30 comments) twitter: @kewkew34

Love the shots of you being on the road. But I really love that first picture. It is gorgeous.
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Kim @ This Belle Rocks (10 comments) twitter: @ThisBelleRocks

What lovely photos! I do love a road trip (and reading about them). It is a dream of mine to someday be able to take a long (to me, “long” is the regular time most people vacation), hop in the car, and travel the less-traveled roads of the country looking for little antique and junk stores to peruse at leisure.

Oh, wait a minute….I probably need a truck if I’m going to do that, huh?

Glad that your family is settling into your new home, and what a lovely place it is!

Happy WW!
Kim @ This Belle Rocks´s last blog post – Yum!

Molly (30 comments)

What an amazing road trip. Not possible in this country, it is too small and waaayyy too crowded but on my list of ‘things to do before I get too old to do them’ is to rent a car and spend a month driving as much of the USA as possible. I want to SEE it and I truly believe this is the only way to do that.

Mollyxxx
Molly´s last blog post – Day 340 – Maybe Christmas

Verena (131 comments) twitter: @vbeautifulworld

Wow Kristi, you live in a beautiful area! I think I have to make it to Washington to visit you one day! How have you been? Have you moved into your new home already? How do the kids like the new school?

xoxo
Verena
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Tish (95 comments) twitter: @momof2gymnasts

That motel is eye-catching!! Rural America certainly does offer some beautiful photo ops! My husband favors photos of old abandoned buildings and cars. Can’t wait to see more photos from your trip Kristi! Hope all is going ok with the settling in process.
Tish´s last blog post – In the Fog | Wordless Wednesday

Sarah (54 comments) twitter: @sarahmhalstead

Beautiful photos. Can’t wait to see more from your trip.
Sarah´s last blog post – Ralphie Elf {WW #69}

secret mom thoughts (112 comments)

beautiful shots of the country.
secret mom thoughts´s last blog post – Elf Antics

Stacy Uncorked (119 comments) twitter: @RandomCoolChick

It’s such an interesting drive, isn’t it? As always, LOVE all the shots!
Stacy Uncorked´s last blog post – High Flyin’ Fun

Kristy Life n Reflection Photography (107 comments) twitter: @lifenreflection

I have to say I love the fields, barns, and silos or Iowa. Although I’ll take lake like yours in WA anytime!
Kristy Life n Reflection Photography´s last blog post – The Texture Touch

Gina (157 comments) twitter: @firefam5

I’m so glad you are settling in to your new place. We are doing the same. I have been thinking of you as we put things in place. HUGS!!!
Gina´s last blog post – SR-54 to Bayview Idaho

Andi of My Beautiful Adventures (88 comments)

I think I prefer where you live to where you drove through…
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures´s last blog post – A Photographic Look At My Adventures In 2012 + Giveaway

Susi (102 comments) twitter: @bocafrau

I love seeing your “I was here” posts. It’s so fun. Can’t wait to see the rest of your journey!
Susi´s last blog post – Scenes from a fight {Wordless Wednesday}

Kim Wolterman (1 comments)

I grew up in Iowa, but I promise not to send you any hate mail In addition to being surprised that you did not see any wind farms, I am sad that you did not have the opportunity to glimpse any of the wonder barn quilts along the way. (In case you are not familiar with them, these are wonderful quilt patterns that have been painted on panels and hung on barns throughout the US.) I know you would enjoy photographing them. Or perhaps you saw some in the other states? I will tune back in to check.
Kim Wolterman´s last blog post – House Research and Legal Description of the Property

Diane (22 comments)

You have just experienced what I seem to see everytime we got on the motorcycle. We have traveled a lot of these USA roads, and I am here to tell you, it can be so much fun. I am so in love with your shots with the red red converse shoes!!! I used to carry a rock, yes, a rock that a little girl painted and I bought in Arkansas. Her name is Elizabeth (as the little girl named her for me) and my little rock, Lizzy has been in quite a few pics in the past. I think I am going to have to start showing her in lots more shots. You are my inspiration. Thanks!!!

MG Atwood (51 comments) twitter: @tystutu

Love taking this trip with you!

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Laurie @ Pride in Photos (17 comments)

I have never been to Iowa…but it sure was fun living through it in your eyes. This is a great adventure you are living…little jealous♥ have a great week.
Laurie
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Amy (124 comments) twitter: @babybabylemon

I love road trip photos! It’s been great seeing yours.
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Stacey (66 comments) twitter: @staceysmoments

Those blue skies are just gorgeous!
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Elaine (30 comments) twitter: @elainea

I’ve never been to Iowa. Perhaps now I know why. You still made it look good though.
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