Oh hey, you are near where I went to college.
I never went south though so I really can't say anything about what is down there. Probably just a lot of farms and small towns.
Hopefully you can avoid actually driving through Des Moines, since there might be a good bit of construction and what not to slow you down. You are probably on the interstate though so you might be stuck.
Good luck!
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(Maniac64 at work)
All the proteins, vitamins, and carbs of your grandma's best turkey dinner, plus 15% alcohol.