The Road Not Traveled At All

The University of Iowa's Museum of Natural History is one of the highlights of the University of Iowa’s campus. The museum is the second oldest museum west of the Mississippi River and is a point of pride among the residence of Iowa City. It was established in 1858 by the state to house Iowa’s history. The first main exhibit hall is called "Iowa Hall" and it, obviously, houses Iowa’s history. It goes from Pre-Cambrian era to modern day.

On the third floor of the museum there are two other exhibits: Mammal Hall and Hageboeck Hall of Birds, which has been recently renovated. Mammal Hall has mammals ranging from an aardvark to a zebra. There is even a hanging skeleton of an Atlantic Right Whale.

The Hall of Birds houses the Laysan Island Cyclorama. It is unique in museum history and it was the first attempt to recreate an entire ecosystem in an exhibit.

Today was the jazz festival in downtown Iowa City. The newspaper had predicted 25,000 people would show up today, but, unfortunately, it was raining. The festival has been going on for 13 years, but it got a new location this year on the pentacrest, near the museum! Therefore, while I was volunteering there today, I got to listen to the music. I believe there were three stages set up. One stage for high school bands, one for university bands, and the main stage for all the headliner people coming through. I imagine there are many people down there now.

It really is an awesome thing to have in Iowa City. I think the city has a way of attracting people to come see a small Iowa town. It is good for a high school student to be able to experience all these different types of music/cultures, too.

The Jazz Fest is a three-day event: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I went on Saturday to see some of my friends perform, and they were really good. Unfortunately, as soon as the other band performing on Friday started, it began to downpour. Today, Saturday, was also wet during the day, but got a lot better towards the evening hours. Sunday is going to be very nice, though.