Imagine sitting high atop a giant fist with your best friend. The sun resting just above the fire-orange horizon. Every which way you look, more giant white fists are thrusting up into the air. Between the fists, massive red rock fins swim through the dry desert landscape. Are giant rock fish swimming right below the surface?

The silence of the scene breaks when a whirring hummingbird flies from behind you and hovers a foot from your face. Cocking your head to the right in wonderment, the hummingbird whirs away only to hover a foot in front of your friend. In a moment, the hummingbird darts off into the distance – a tiny speck getting smaller and smaller until POOF it’s gone. Your friend turns to you, you both nod, no words are needed. In an instant, all of the complexities of life simply melt away.

“This is it,” you think, “this is Moab.”

Just a few weeks ago, I found myself in that exact position, high atop a sandstone spire in Arches National Park. Nothing in the world could’ve compared, that is, until I returned to Iowa. Now, maybe it’s just a home-state love affair, but Iowa is one of the most scenic places on this hunk of rock called Earth. If you disagree, then go and catch a sunrise out on a country road.

The old silos silhouetted against the sky remind us of our cultural heritage. The rolling hills blanketed by soybeans and corn help us understand the role we play in feeding the world. And the wind turbines stand as a testament to our dedication toward the future. Iowa is a beautiful place.

I encourage you, if you don’t already, to get outside and enjoy all that Iowa has to offer. You don’t need to travel to the river bluffs of the Mississippi or the Loess Hills of western Iowa to enjoy the beauty of this grand state. Simply step outside your door. Take a bike ride into the countryside or a walk down Main Street.

Set your ears to the sounds of birds chirping or your eyes to the colors of Autumn leaves. If you have only five minutes to spare, take them to enjoy a walk around campus. I can assure you that if you do, your day will be a little brighter. In fact, your five-minute walk around campus may be the only thing you remember about your hectic day. So, get outside and enjoy life today, for as the old saying goes, “Yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.”