Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
down. I wasn't once approached by a Jehovah's Witness. I still had sixty-eight dollars and
a clean pair of underpants. Trips don't come much better than that.
I drove on into Des Moines and it looked very large and handsome in the afternoon sun-
shine. The golden dome of the state capitol building gleamed. Every yard was dark with
trees. People were out cutting the grass or riding bikes. I could see why strangers came in
off the interstate looking for hamburgers and gasoline and stayed forever. There was just
something about it that looked friendly and decent and nice. I could live here, I thought,
and turned the car for home. It was the strangest thing, but for the first time in a long time
I almost felt serene.