Best of the Midwest: Rediscovering America's Heartland

Join Dan Kaercher, founding editor and editor-in-chief of Midwest Living®, as he enjoys a 3,500-mile road trip to some of his favorite places in the Midwest region. After eighteen years heading up America's third-largest regional magazine (circulation 900,000), Dan knows the spirit and heritage of the Heartland. "In my travels, I'm often asked by people I meet to share some of my favorite Midwest getaways. So, I decided to answer the question and revisit many of those special places to see how they look to me now," Kaercher said.

Inspiring photographs of the people and places Kaercher has known through the years accompany detailed maps and a complete road travel guide for those wishing to retrace all or part of this dream drive. Recipes of regional specialties are also included.

His scenic route includes Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. It takes in some of the Midwest's--and America's--most serene small towns, little-known big city attractions, hidden parks, top resorts, delightful cafes, and unexpected places to stay. This backroads getaway of a lifetime eventually winds through each one of the twelve Midwest states--from the patchwork-quilt Amish farm country of Ohio and Indiana. . . to the wild north woods, uncrowded lakeshores, and vibrant metropolises of Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin...to Missouri and the great cities and small towns along this state's historic river valleys. . . to the breathtaking prairies and grand vistas of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

Dan's trip was closely tracked by national and local media throughout summer 2004, as well as on the magazine's popular Web site and weekly electronic newsletter. It will be a main feature of Midwest Living's May/June 2005 issue, as well as its special Best of the Midwest 2005 annual publication, on newstands April through September. The book will also be in other issues of the magazine, as well as on its Web site.

In addition, Iowa Public Television sent a videographer along with Dan on his trip, for a new series scheduled to air throughout the state in spring 2005. (The book will be shown along with ordering information at the end of each broadcast.) This series is also being considered for broadcast on other public television stations in the region.