The breadbasket midwest states are so rural and foreign to me. I live near a large city but travel a lot in the summers to visit the west, and we usually stop in a lot of random very small towns on the way. They're like another country. Little traditions, pastimes, day to day activities, what have you. A rodeo "stadium" in the middle of town with events 3-4 times a week; parades and town picnics all summer long. It's like Mayberry or something. I enjoy spending what limited time I do there when we stop, and find it all very interesting and charming...but I'm glad I live in a more technological urban world.