Heartland Stew

A streak of light escapes the pink horizon as I race down the wet, grassy path to catch the sunrise. Daybreak over corn and soybean fields eventually shines a brilliant gold and lifts a blanket of mist from a nearby pond. Above me, the skies turn blue and run endlessly.

I'm in Fairfield, Iowa, a town that sits in the southeastern corner of America's heartland. A begrudging early riser, I hopped out of bed early on my last day so I could see, first hand, this rendition of nature's daily routine. How could I not, when I had a guarantee that it would be amazing from Dee Johnson, owner of Rakmapuri Park Hotel where I'm staying. "We're from San Francisco, and we always thought the Bay area was heaven on Earth," she told me the day before. "But this place really is."

And now I see why.

Idyllic Living
Aside from the bucolic setting, Fairfield is a really neat place. How else do you describe a town with a welcome sign that reads like a movie marquee ("Now Showing: Fairfield, A Cast of 10,000, as Themselves) and has been dubbed Silicorn Valley because of the number of start-up companies that have flourished here over the past 20 years?

Still, this new wave of business hasn't turned Fairfield into the next Big Apple. It still feels very much like the type of small town you'd expect to happen upon in Middle America. Saturday afternoons at the post office are prime social hours, and farmers in pick-up trucks wave to passersby. "It's an ideal community for family, a high-quality social life and deeply rewarding friendships," says the mayor Ed Malloy, who came to Fairfield from Long Island 24 years ago. "It doesn't get any better than this."

Family Style
Bob Phipps, executive vice president for the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce, echoes the mayor's sentiment. "Fairfield is a great place to raise a family," he says. Those native to Fairfield seem to know this. "Some kids move away after graduating high school," Bob says, "but a large number of them come back when they're ready to start a family.

And why not? The schools are great, the cost of living is extremely low and there are decent jobs. Not to mention its location in Iowa, which was voted the fifth-best state to raise a child in 2003 by the National Kids Count Survey and is the second most livable state, according to the Morgan Quitno State Rankings in the same year.

Cultural Flavor
Admittedly, the small-town formula in Fairfield is a bit varied. For instance, the town square also is called Central Park, and it's surrounded by restaurants that serve up bonifide international cuisine including Thai, Indian, Italian and French. (Don't worry, you can still find restaurants serving down-home comfort food, too.)

The town boasts community-theater productions, and there are poetry readings at the local coffeehouse. Fairfield even hosts a signature event dubbed First Fridays Art Walk, a monthly showcase of work from local artists at galleries and shops around the town square.

Logs, Naturally
Another good thing about Fairfield: You'll find log homes. Not just the old cabin built by a few of Fairfield's first settlers using hand-hewn logs, a broad axe and mud chinking. There are modern-day versions, too, and even one really big log structure-20,000 square feet to be exact-that's home to Chappell Studios, a national business.

I asked Doug Greenfield-a local developer who built his own 10,000-square-foot log masterpiece-for advice on building log homes in the area. "The tricky thing about Iowa and anywhere in the Plains is that it seems to rain here sideways," Doug explains. That might sound funny, but "waterproofing is one of the most important things to consider," he says. Wide overhangs help, of course, but also make sure you choose a solid sealant, proper gaskets and caulking.

Despite sideways rain, log homes do well in a region that has four distinct seasons. Gurdy and Mary Leete built their log home a few years ago and marvel at the fact that they don't have to use an air conditioner in the summer. "We save on both heating and cooling bills because of the logs' thermal mass," Gurdy says.

Four Seasons
Like many areas with changing seasons, the favorite months in Fairfield are the ones in between. "Spring and fall are, by far, the greatest seasons because we're in an agricultural area," says Bob. Springtime is planting time when farmers are out turning the soil so "there are fields of things that are growing and the air is fresh and peaceful," Gurdy says.

The harvest months are just as gorgeous when trees create a kaleidoscope of color along residential streets. And while cold weather might not be a favorite for everyone, you can't beat a soft snowfall over the holidays, which is practically guaranteed here. Summertime can be warm, but a few lakes that once served as the city's water supply are perfect spots to cool down (one even has a manmade beach).

In addition to water sports, there are plenty of outdoorsy things to do the rest of the year. Many recreational activities revolve around the extensive trail system that snakes through Fairfield and the surrounding towns in Jefferson County. Whether you're a hiker, biker, runner or cross-country skier, you can make your way through the many miles of prairie, forested and wetland areas. These trails also have become a healthy and green alternative for the commuters who prefer to safely walk or bike to work. (If only every city had that option).

And if ditching your commute and getting to live in a really progressive, friendly town isn't reason enough to check out Fairfield, then stop by for the sunrise. That alone is worth the trip.
 

Just the Facts: Fairfield, Iowa

Population: 10,000 Residential property tax: $40 per $1,000 of assessed value Price and size of recent typical sale of vacant land: 10 acres ranges from $25,000 to $35,000 (not including any utilities to property Price and size of recent typical sale of acreage with house: 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home on 9 acres sold for $174,500 in March 2004 Closest airport: Cedar Rapids International Airport Closest medical services: Jefferson County Hospital; two general practitioner clinics; one doctor who makes house calls Educational facilities: three elementary schools; one middle school; one high school; a private K-12 school

Story by Rachel Machacek