Gazing down from a window seat on my recent Allegiant flight from Asheville to Des Moines, I was reminded again of the ever-changing beauty of the American landscape and the thrill of travel. This was no ordinary journey, folks. The flight from the misty Appalachian mountains of Asheville, NC, to the prairie charm of Des Moines, IA, is a narrative of the diverse terrain and culture of our great nation.

As our plane ascended over Asheville, the vista of the Blue Ridge mountains, draped in an almost mystical fog, was nothing short of cinematic. These mountains, that change their color palette with the seasons – from lush green shimmer in summer to the fascinating riot of fall – bid a warm adieu as we embarked on our journey westwards.

The flight route is an aerial tapestry of America's changing geography. Ascending to top cruising speeds we kissed goodbye to the East Coast and the mountains quickly gave way to the undulating plains. Ah, the magic of altitude and distance! The rolling river valleys slowly morphed into expansive farmlands. These plains are like America’s breadbasket, verdant, stretching out lazily, trimmed with cornfields, cheerfully greeting anyone descending from the sky.

And then, before you have had enough of these endless plains, the airplane begins its descent towards Des Moines, the kingpin city of Iowa. As we were ushered to gently land on the runway of the Des Moines International Airport, I was greeted by the understated charm of this Midwest city. An air of tranquility enveloped the city’s downtown skyline, the golden dome of the Iowa State Capitol silently standing guard over Des Moines.

If you're a new soul to the city like me or a returning visitor, I must tell you, the understated vibe of Des Moines is deliciously infectious. The city, with its vibrant blend of urban sophistication and small-town charm, is often a pleasant surprise for travelers. Its downtown district, a canvas of Renaissance-style architecture and glittering skyscrapers, oozes an inviting warmth, a sense of belonging. You will not be a stranger here for long.

Yet Des Moines is not just a concrete jungle. The city is a delight for nature lovers too. Its evergreen parks and botanical gardens are breathing, living artworks reflecting, as it were, the true essence of the Midwestern spirit.

Travelling is not merely a journey from one place to another, but a patchwork of human experiences, observations, emotions, and transformations. As I deplaned from my Allegiant flight onto Des Moines, all I could think of was the new adventure that lay waiting. The city is a beckoning invitation to explore, discover, and embrace the unexplored. This, my dear restless itinerants, is the power of journey — it moves you not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

My journey from Asheville to Des Moines, from the mystic mountains to the alluring plains, transformed the mundanity of a simple airline flight into a journey of discovery. From the window seat of my Allegiant flight, I didn't just see landscapes changing, I met America - in all its morphing colors and forms.