Beautiful Rest Stops in Iowa ~ Amazing Harvest Theme Artwork and More

While the beauty of rest stops may not be an ordinary and everyday topic of discussion, I happened to mention it one day while commenting on a hub that JamaGenee had written regarding one of her Iowa hubs and she has been after me ever since to elaborate.

So here you are JamaGenee!

There are probably some beautiful rest stops in other parts of the United States, but I can truthfully say that those along the Interstate highways in Iowa are some of the prettiest ones that I have ever seen.

They put the ones of which I am familiar in Texas to shame. As the old saying goes..."Everything is bigger and better in Texas."

Well...not so with regard to rest areas from my personal experience.

(c) Peggy Woods - All Rights Reserved

Rest stops

Rest stops are important as people travel across the country for many reasons. In addition to being able to use the toilet facilities, often it is just nice to be able to pull off the road in a safe lighted area and stretch one's legs and get a little exercise.

Most rest stops have designated areas where truck drivers who do long distance hauling of supplies can park for a while and even take necessary sleep breaks.

In larger welcome centers, personnel may be on hand twenty-four hours a day to suggest tourist information for vacationers to their state who may be unfamiliar with what can be seen and enjoyed. Often there are maps and brochures which can be acquired.

Weather and road conditions can be accessed and they are kept updated frequently for traveler's convenience and safety concerns.

Vending machines are available in which travelers can find various forms of food and drinks.

And of course, picnic areas are most often provided...often with covers over them in case of inclement weather conditions.

Okay...you might be thinking...our area has all of what was just mentioned. So what makes the Iowa rest stops unique?

It is the artwork!

The photos of the artwork featured in this hub were taken at the Wilton Rest Area and Welcome Center between Davenport and Iowa City off of Interstate 80. I took these photos long before I had ever heard of HubPages or ever thought of writing hubs (blogs) so they are limited to just these three pictures. If I were to ever travel in that part of the country again and stop at this particular rest stop and others, I would be sure to take many more photos!

My mother who was traveling with me was equally impressed with these ten stainless steel columns each topped with a different bronze form representing different aspects found in the State of Iowa. The artist Tom Stancliffe who hails from that fair state created each of these plus one inside the building as well.

Who doesn't associate corn and Iowa? I think that when most people think of Iowa they also think of that crop and for good reason. Iowa is first in corn and also soybean production compared to all of the other 49 states in the U.S.

Pigs

Iowa also has more than its fair share of pigs.

As a matter of fact, more pork is produced in the State of Iowa than any other state in America accounting for about 40,000 jobs annually and billions of dollars to the state's economy.

Around twenty million pigs are raised annually.

Thus it is very appropriate that this pig sculpture was included as an example of things frequently seen in Iowa.

The other stainless steel columns were topped with the following art representations all of which can be found in Iowa:

• Acorn
• Prairie Grasses
• Fish
• Book
• Cone Flower
• Tractor Tire Track
• Plow Shares
• Bursting Seed Pod

In addition to the Harvest Theme Artwork seen at the Wilton Rest Area, other rest areas in Iowa have some of the following themes:

• Pioneer Theme
• Underground Railroad Theme
• Educational Theme
• Agriculture - Henry Wallace Theme
• Lewis and Clark Expedition Theme
• Mississippi River Theme

These and more rest stops are artistically created with the use of not only sculptures but mosaic tiles and other artwork making them not only utilitarian but also aesthetically pleasing to visitors who stop and use them.

The State of Iowa continues to demolish the older rest stops and as they build new replacements, art and artistic design is pushed to the forefront. What a wonderful image that creates for the state and how very nice for travelers who stop to use the facilities! So if you find yourself traveling through the State of Iowa, be sure and check out some of these beautiful rest stop areas. I think that you will be amazed at what you find there!