Carmen,  I'll never forget driving to Iowa City with Rick Wilde to visit you.  He had a book to read for a class and wanted me to drive, but I couldn't drive a stick shift.  He sat me in the driver seat and told me to steer and when to push in on the clutch, and he shifted.  
I was so pleasantly surprised by Iowa City and I'll never forget that old house.  There is so much I DIDN'T know though.  This essay really told me more than I ever realized.  Thanks for sharing!  
from a geographer who loves thinking about and experiencing PLACES!