Need Iowan's Input (Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo: budget, travel, car rental)

[still looking 62]

I have PM'd you Gayle hope you got it.

[gayleinAZ]

Wow - every time I log on to this sight things get better and better. I love to do canning and freezing my own stuff fresh etc. I love flowers and all the other great stuff at farmer's markets. I love unique and fresh stuff and would like to think I might have something to contribute or sell someday myself.

I would think northern Iowa would be a bit colder. I lived in Ill as a kid when my dad was in the service at Joliet Arsenal not far from Kankakee (sp) and that was my first experience with BIG snow.. and it was BIG to a 4th grader waiting at a bus stop. But I still had fun in it, I guess because I didn't have to be responsible for driving anyone or myself in it!

Yet again I digress... I'm just going to have to trek on up to the Des Moines area later this summer and check it all out. I figured I could still fly into KC and with the help of mapquest and a little luck I might manage not to get myself too lost in Kansas or somewhere else. I think it sounds like a fun and educational 200 odd miles. The light bulbs are going off in my head so fast I can hardly wait to 'go see for myself!'

[gayleinAZ]

You know I think I started this thread at work and that has a slightly different name attached to it. I FORGOT this log in when I was there. So the PM didn't show up in this mailbox but I'll check it bright and early tomorrow and reply from there. Thank you.

[crashcop]

Originally Posted by gayleinAZ

Wow - every time I log on to this sight things get better and better. I love to do canning and freezing my own stuff fresh etc. I love flowers and all the other great stuff at farmer's markets. I love unique and fresh stuff and would like to think I might have something to contribute or sell someday myself.

I would think northern Iowa would be a bit colder. I lived in Ill as a kid when my dad was in the service at Joliet Arsenal not far from Kankakee (sp) and that was my first experience with BIG snow.. and it was BIG to a 4th grader waiting at a bus stop. But I still had fun in it, I guess because I didn't have to be responsible for driving anyone or myself in it!

Yet again I digress... I'm just going to have to trek on up to the Des Moines area later this summer and check it all out. I figured I could still fly into KC and with the help of mapquest and a little luck I might manage not to get myself too lost in Kansas or somewhere else. I think it sounds like a fun and educational 200 odd miles. The light bulbs are going off in my head so fast I can hardly wait to 'go see for myself!'

Gayle, the KCI airport is in Kansas City, Missouri. If you fly in there, Des Moines is straight up I-35 about 2 1/2 hours. I have made the trip home many times. From there Iowa City is only 2 hours East on I-80.

One question, why not fly into Des Moines, they have a nice airport with easy ingress and egress?

[peach49]

well where do you live in arizona that all that is going on.i have live here for 26 years and never heard of any of this.my hubsand is from iowa.and we going there next month.and the people there are different.but if you not happy in arizona just moved but don't trash it.we have a nice state.but it depend what you looking for.please have a good monday.

[gayleinAZ]

I'd love to fly straight into Des Moines but it costs a fortune. I can fly into KC and rent a car for 3 days for what it costs to fly to DM. HOWEVER since I won't be out there until later in summer, I can go onto one of those ticket sights that were suggested and see if I can get a better flight price. I've been to the KC airport about 5 times now and pretty much have the hang of the place. I just catch a shuttle to the car rental place and BOOM I'm on my way. It's very handy. I'll keep my eyes open for discount airs thought Thank you.

[gayleinAZ]

We have a lousy state and if you haven't heard any of this you must not watch t.v. listen to the radio or read the Republic. You can look up any of these subjects any time you like in the paper. Perhaps you live in Scottsdale etc but the majority of us DON'T and it is the most dumpy state in the union. Good luck with Iowa, I'm sure you'll find a real cutlure shock. Their fist language isn't SPANISH!

[peach49]

well i am not spanish.and yes i do read the paper and i watch the news.and yes i do live in scottsdale.it sound like you have a race problem.and if you do i am sure iowa is the place for you.because it is most white.if you want to moved just moved.because i am sure you want be happy anywhere.

[GayleAZ]

Honey - if you don't see what's going on in this state regardless of color you have a problem. #1 identity theft / #2 stolen cars / #2 west Nile virus /#3 unsafe state in the union / #1 stupidest state in the union/ # 1 legal immigrants etc... 6 million people crammed into a desert with almost no water and even less conservation. Coyotes run the border and illegals run the rest of this state. I've lived here 40+ years and you are more than welcome to it. Oh and hey what about those 9 shot 2 dead in a shooting over the weekend? You know where there were several guns spraying bullets. It was on the news this morning. Well it was on the rest of the valley news, which by your post I presume EXCLUDES Scottsdale, because apparently it's nothing but roses and clover over there. Good luck with that in 20 years and that NO water thing.

[still looking 62]

I think there is a difference between 'trashing' an area and providing accurate information, both the pros and cons. City Data is a great site for people like me to get information from people who know the areas of interest.
Everyone's experience is different so got to look at all the info given and with that decide what is best for you.
I have been to Arizona and can tell you that the info stated on this thread regarding it is more accurate than not. I do think people will read between the lines, or shall I say the periods. Credibility is key.