Ames
Located along the Skunk River, about 30-miles north of Des Moines, sits the small town of Ames, Iowa. Named after the shovel tycoon and Massachusetts congressman Oakes Ames, the city was built along the transcontinental railroad. The railroad is still part of daily life today in Ames, with several Union Pacific long-haul freight trains passing through the town each day. Life in the city has a unique vibe ranging from traditional old-timey train life to modern day education and technology.