Cedar Rapids, Iowa

On my recent fabulous day trip with my friend Anne -- she gave me a driving tour of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Devastated by floods two years ago, there are parts of this beautiful little jewel of a city that will NEVER recover. It was stunning to drive through dozens of neighborhoods and realize that the damage will affect some families for generations to come...

In a typical block -- two houses may be completely and beautifully restored -- but there may be six houses in that block that are boarded up. Empty except for the feral cats, rodents and black mold...

The formerly vibrant downtown -- with all the charming bridges -- is mostly vacant. It felt empty and sad. Of course nobody is talking about the flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa anymore....I mean, there've been earthquakes in Haiti...
I think that, as a general rule, mid-westerners are stoic, non-complaining people. Maybe the hometown boy, Grand Wood, really captured it best with his painting, "American Gothic"..

Cedar Rapids is still working to recover....but, clearly, some things will never be the same.

Here's what I know for sure. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home of Grant Wood, is one of the most beautiful little cities in the country.

And if you want to help Cedar Rapids -- please put it on your short list when you're planning your next family vacation...