It’s day 486...It's also September 3...2020...and we are in Akron Iowa

It’s day 486...It's also September 3...2020...and we are in Akron Iowa.

We trekked that 20 miles or so from Craig.... and settled into our spot in the Akron City Park—a quiet, tree-lined little park just outside the town of 1500. And I could tell already...a perfect place to enjoy a few of the dog days of summer.

The RV parks around here have become almost mind blowing.... full hookups and an onsite dump station...pool and shower facilities...bbq pits...pic nic areas...even a pavillion with covered seating....all for 10 bucks a night? A pretty amazing...and rare find...not to mention pretty dang welcome having become accustomed to paying triple that...and more...all across the west coast...and into the early days of our adventure...just one of the many reasons we'd so quickly become boondocking fans.

We made short work of leveling up...hooking up...and setting up camp...even had the fridge stocked curtosey of the Dollar General across the street. And with no more than 7 rigs in the park....not even half full from what I could tell...meant plenty of space...and privacy .... for us.

We took full advantage of the hiking trails along the Big Sioux River, knowing this might be the last stretch of decent weather before fall sets in....and we head south. Days hovered in the upper 70s, even breaking into the 80s, while nights dropped into the mid-50s—refreshing after the triple-digit heat and humidity we’d battled just days before.

Akron's story begins in 1862. Like many river towns, it was built around industry—specifically, a flour mill and a dam on the Big Sioux. The area's early settlers initially wanted to name it Portland, but when they discovered that name was already taken, they settled on Akron—a name derived from the Greek word "akros," meaning "high place" or "elevation." It was fitting, given Akron's location on the rolling plains along the river.

In 1880, the first bridge across the Big Sioux connected Akron to what was then Dakota Territory. That bridge, however, met a violent end in 1899 when a tornado ripped through, destroying it. A sturdier steel span replaced it the following year, standing strong until 1962 when frequent flooding forced a change. A new highway and bridge were built upriver on higher ground, and the original was removed.

The early 20th century saw Akron emerge as a cultural hub. In 1905, the community rallied to build the Akron Opera House, a venue that hosted everything from theatrical performances to boxing matches and even basketball games. This opera house became a focal point for entertainment and gatherings, reflecting the town's vibrant social fabric.

In 1905, the Akron Milling Company, still using power from the old dam, installed the town’s first electric light plant. A decade later, in 1915, a bond issue for $18,000 led to the construction of a new power plant and water system. This vote was historic—it was the first election in Akron where women were allowed to cast their ballots. The measure passed, and the old dam was dismantled, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. It was also interesting to learn here....that Iowa...along with 9 other states were well ahead of the curve here! Iowa passed the womans suffrage act into law ..... allowing women the right to vote.....nearly a year before the ammendment was ratified nationwide. Way to go Iowa.....

In learning of the hardships here in Akron...I'm reminded how familiar this story is....Familiar....because I've read it a dozens times.....We've seen tons of small towns like Akron.... scattered across the 20 thousand or so miles we've put behind us....and with each stop... it's compelling to learn about another communities story....the names....the events....the tragedy's change.....but there's always that thread .... the thread connecting each of these communities as each one becomes more than just dots on a map.... They are living testaments to the grit....the sheer determination.... of those who came before us, those who built something from nothing in an era when survival meant....what must have felt like.... relentless perseverance.

And those pioneers.....they didn't have highways....and cars...the internet....no instant warning that a flood...or tornado...or hurricane was coming...no government relief funds or national guard showing up after the fact to help....they didn't even have electricity....and yet...with nothing more than help from neighbors....and community....they rebuilt...in some cases...time and time again...

The intrigue for me is in learning that this is what defines small-town America. Not just the hardships, but the response to them. The way people come together to rebuild homes, businesses, and lives. The way a town like Akron, against all odds, endures. It’s a story I’ve encountered time and again in my travels—different names, different landscapes, but always the same unbreakable spirit. These places remind us of where we came from, of the sacrifices made by those who settled here long before us. And in doing so, they challenge us to carry that same spirit forward, to honor their legacy by ensuring that these towns, and the values they represent, never fade into history....the way we've allowed so many others to....

Fast forward to today, and Akron still thrives, though in a different way. The mill and grain elevator remain the backbone of the town’s economy. The Big Sioux River continues to draw in outdoor enthusiasts, with its hiking trails and campgrounds making it a prime spot for those looking to escape the city.....those 85,000 people just 25 miles up the road in Sioux City....and probably just as many from the Sioux Falls Metro area....and the 280 some thousand that live there.....What a start contrast Akron provides for those folks....the perfect escape from the hustle and noise of the urban sprawl.

To some....maybe Akron is just another dot on the map.... another town on the Great Plains, but like every place, it has a story....and it's been pretty cool hanging out here for a few days....and learning it.

Also pretty cool....to learn that for a place with fewer than 4 million residents...statewide....Iowa has managed to produce quite a few names we might recognize...

John Wayne...Ashton Kutcher...Elijah Wood....Shawn Johnson....Grant Wood....all called Iowa home before making their way to the top of their game...in movies....Olympic gold....and art....

On our last evening in Akron...we .... as usual...hadn't really picked a direction when one of our neighbors asked if we had checked out the Great Lakes? As my head was going straight to the Great Lakes we all think of...way up by Canada....the great lakes we all think of that touch the shores of 7 or 8 US States.....but before I could get to confused....he explained he was referring us to Iowa's great lake region....also known as Okoboji....he went on describe an area that sounded pretty awesome.

And checking the map later that night....looks like these Great Lakes...are just a 100 or so miles away from where we are here in Akron.....and while it does involve a bit of back tracking.....who cares...I thought....sounds worth it...

And I wonder what we'll learn there...