Day 4: Wednesday, July 26 Ames to Des Moines
- Theme Day: Guinness Book of World Records
- Mileage: 50 Miles
- Elevation: 1,215ft
Pass Thru Towns
- Slater
- Madrid
- Polk City
- Ankeny – Meeting Town
Things to know about each city/town
- Ames – The city was formed in 1864 as a station stop on the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad and was named after 19th century U.S. Congressman Oakes Ames of Massachusetts, who was influential in the building of the transcontinental railroad. Ames was founded by local resident Cynthia Olive Duff (née Kellogg) and railroad magnate John Insley Blair, near a location that was deemed favorable for a railroad crossing of the Skunk River.
- Slater – In the City of Slater, we are defined less by boundaries on a map than by the sense of shared values our residents hold dear. Small town values, guided growth, preservation of historical, cultural, and natural heritage are just a few of the core principles that makes City of Slater a wonderful place to call home.
- Madrid – Madrid has a comfortable, small-town atmosphere that makes visitors and new residents feel welcome. We are especially proud of our high school sports teams, and the Madrid Tigers are well-known for football and track. Annual city events, including the Madrid Labor Day Celebration, bring residents together.
- Polk City – Polk City was settled in 1846 and incorporated as a city on March 13, 1875. It was an early contender for the seat of Polk County before Des Moines was ultimately chosen. The city took its name from its location in Polk County. Polk City is also known for having the only “town square” in all of Polk County.
- Ankeny – People may visit the historic site of Iowa State Capitol. There are numerous parks and recreational areas in Ankeny including the Badger Creek State Recreation Area, Walnut Woods State Park, and Ledges State Park. Ledges State Park has camping areas, hiking trails, canoeing, fishing, and picnic areas. Places of historical significance include State Historical Society of Iowa and the Living History Farms. The Des Moines Art Center has permanent collections of contemporary art.
- Des Moines – Des Moines is one of those cities doing a fabulous job gentrifying its downtown. 20 years ago, downtown was the place to go if you needed to visit the courthouse, the Civic Center or eat at one of a few restaurants. Today, great smells and sounds spill out from around every corner, festivals are scheduled year-round and rehabbed lofts are fetching high prices.