Des Moines: Static and Slightly Sticky
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. i landed in Des Moines yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a thing. 5044407 and 1840008881 - those numbers just keep circling in my head, like a bad loop in a synth track. the pressure’s at 1020, humidity’s clinging to me like a damp towel, and the ground feels… well, it feels like walking on slightly compacted clay. it’s 980 at ground level, which is unsettling, to be honest. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
I’m staying at this place called ‘The Rusty Sprocket’ - it’s got a vibe, you know? Like a mechanic’s garage that accidentally opened a hostel. The walls are painted a shade of teal that aggressively clashes with the exposed brick. It’s not bad, just… intense. I overheard a guy at the bar - he was wearing a fedora and nursing a whiskey - telling someone that "someone told him the local pigeons are trained to deliver messages for the mayor." Seriously. I’m not even kidding. I checked Yelp, and the reviews are mostly about the surprisingly good breakfast burritos, but there’s this recurring theme of ‘odd noises at night.’ Someone told me the old grain elevators downtown are haunted by the ghosts of disgruntled mill workers. I’m not saying it’s true, but… yeah.
I spent the afternoon wandering around the East Village. It’s got this weird mix of vintage shops and street art. There’s a mural of a giant badger playing a banjo - it’s… a thing. I snagged a vintage denim jacket from ‘Threads & Tales’ - it smells faintly of mothballs and regret, which is exactly what I wanted. I also stumbled upon a tiny record store called ‘Spin Cycle’ - they had a whole section dedicated to obscure polka bands. Apparently, Des Moines has a surprisingly strong polka scene. I’m not sure I get it, but hey, who am I to judge? I need to check out the Des Moines Art Center, too.
Tonight, I’m hitting up a blues club called ‘The Blue Note.’ I heard that the owner, a woman named Delilah, used to be a backup dancer for a touring Elvis impersonator. Legend. I’m hoping for some serious soul and maybe a few spilled drinks. I’m also trying to figure out how to get to the Iowa State Capitol Building - it’s a pretty imposing structure. I’m thinking of renting a bike.
Speaking of getting around, if you get bored, Omaha and Cedar Rapids are just a short drive away. Seriously, they’re not that far. I’m trying to avoid the interstate, though. It’s… unsettling. I’m also trying to find a decent coffee shop. This place I’m at serves something called ‘Mudslide Latte’ - it’s basically coffee mixed with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. It’s… an experience. I need something stronger. I’m going to check out a local brewery, maybe ‘Brotherhood Brewing.’
*Pro-Tip: Don’t wear white. Seriously. The humidity is a beast. Also, bring bug spray. The mosquitoes are vicious. And, check out the Des Moines Farmers’ Market - it’s on Saturday mornings and it’s a total sensory overload. Don’t forget* to try the Iowa honey. It’s surprisingly good. I’m starting to think this place has a weird, magnetic pull. It’s not bad, just… deeply, profoundly strange. I’m gonna go find that badger again.
Here’s a map:
I’m heading to TripAdvisor to see if anyone else has had similar pigeon-related experiences. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ And Yelp for more burrito intel. https://www.yelp.com/ And I'm gonna check out the local events board for anything happening tonight. https://www.desmoines.gov/events
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