Hello everyone! I've finally put in the time to make an account and write up an introduction post after lurking here for about two years. Now that I've stopped procrastinating and gotten that out of the way, I look forward to finally being able to contribute to discussions.
As for a bit about myself, I'm a lifelong resident of Iowa and I am currently a college student. I've had a lifelong interest in most things road-related that was at least partially fueled by the trips to visit family in northeast Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan that I went on growing up. Now that I have my own car, I've spent the last few years taking trips to explore Iowa's county road system and visit new counties (Hence the username).
As for my specific roadgeek interests, I really like the sound and feel of driving on concrete roads, and I've always been amazed by the wide variety of sounds that can be made by different grooving patterns. Another one of my main road-related interests is the history of highways, such as how alignments and construction standards have evolved over time.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to meeting you all.
Welcome from Massachusetts!
Welcome from KCMO!
Welcome from the Boston area!
Hello from Kansas! I have a lot of extended family in Iowa, and also my sister. Are you at Iowa State University?
Welcome! I have family in Sioux City and have been to NW Iowa several times. Also a Christmas hangout at (frozen) Lake Okoboji.
Quote from: kphoger on May 03, 2022, 11:14:31 AM
Hello from Kansas! I have a lot of extended family in Iowa, and also my sister. Are you at Iowa State University?
Yeah
Greetings from Wisconsin! The closest I've gotten to Iowa State on my own drives was to Waterloo. It's unfortunate that you're right in the middle of the state. I'm rather fortunate to be able to explore IA, WI, and IL at university.
Also, love that you're a fan of concrete noises for roads. What's your take on the "infamous Indiana concrete noise" if you know what I'm referring to?
Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 03, 2022, 03:16:40 PM
It's unfortunate that you're right in the middle of the state. I'm rather fortunate to be able to explore IA, WI, and IL at university.
Hey, exploring Iowa's county highways doesn't sound all that bad, though. I've always enjoyed them, personally.
Hello from Florida! Unfortunately I don't see myself visiting the rest of the Plains yet.
Welcome from Colorado! Been through Iowa on the Avenue of the Saints, but not much else. How is Ames?
Always great to see another fellow Iowan on the forum! I live in Florida now, but I grew up in Davenport and got my master's at Iowa State.
Welcome from a Jayhawk that has spent some good times in Ames visiting friends.
Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 03, 2022, 03:16:40 PM
Greetings from Wisconsin! The closest I've gotten to Iowa State on my own drives was to Waterloo. It's unfortunate that you're right in the middle of the state. I'm rather fortunate to be able to explore IA, WI, and IL at university.
Being in the middle of the state isn't that bad. Sure, the scenery is a bit lacking in central and north-central Iowa, but the roads are just as interesting as anywhere else in the state. It really just depends on the county. Plus, living in a different part of the state than I used to allows me to easily go to places I haven't been before.
Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 03, 2022, 03:16:40 PM
Also, love that you're a fan of concrete noises for roads. What's your take on the "infamous Indiana concrete noise" if you know what I'm referring to?
That was one of the things I always looked forward to when going to Indiana. I love it because the buzzing noise it makes is so different from the whistling noises I'm used to hearing from grooved concrete. I always made sure to savor the few seconds of it going over every bridge. It's been quite a few years since I've been out that way, though.
Quote from: jlam on May 03, 2022, 03:32:55 PM
Welcome from Colorado! Been through Iowa on the Avenue of the Saints, but not much else. How is Ames?
Unseasonably cold.
Quote from: kphoger on May 03, 2022, 03:19:20 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 03, 2022, 03:16:40 PM
It's unfortunate that you're right in the middle of the state. I'm rather fortunate to be able to explore IA, WI, and IL at university.
Hey, exploring Iowa's county highways doesn't sound all that bad, though. I've always enjoyed them, personally.
Fair point. I was surprised when I was on one a few months ago and it was concrete. You definitely wouldn't see that in Wisconsin.
Quote from: IowaTraveler on May 03, 2022, 11:07:39 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 03, 2022, 03:16:40 PM
Also, love that you're a fan of concrete noises for roads. What's your take on the "infamous Indiana concrete noise" if you know what I'm referring to?
That was one of the things I always looked forward to when going to Indiana. I love it because the buzzing noise it makes is so different from the whistling noises I'm used to hearing from grooved concrete. I always made sure to savor the few seconds of it going over every bridge. It's been quite a few years since I've been out that way, though.
There's entire stretches of highway with that sound. Some parts of I-94 in NW Indiana, for instance. I won't lie, it's a guilty pleasure of mine. :)