I don’t get on the road in the wee hours of the day too often, except when I have an early flight at the airport or I am driving out of state. On those 4 a.m. or so travels, I often wonder about the other folks I see driving at that time. Why are they up so early? Where do they work? Where are they traveling? Are they leaving from home or heading home?

I agree there is something rewarding about getting an early start on the day. It gives me the feeling of having a head start on others. Crossing a few tasks off my list before the sun comes up starts the day off right.

For some folks, though, this isn’t a once-in-a-while thing. Their jobs or activities or habits have them rising early every day.

When I was in high school, I worked at a convenience store/gas station. On occasion, I would work the graveyard shift. Even in a small town, this was an exposure to another world. I would see the factory workers heading to their shifts or heading home, filling their tanks with gas and buying a few supplies. I would see the route delivery guys ensuring that milk and bread and soda and beer were in the stores. And I would get to know the late-shift police officers who would stop in. For the most part, it was quiet, which is exactly how most of the folks who choose to work those hours like it.

Getting up early wasn’t so easy in my younger years, but it seems to be more challenging to sleep in now, even when I can. I used to laugh at all the retired guys who were at the café before 6 a.m. drinking coffee. It's all starting to make sense now. Even the coffee.

Do you know folks who rise before the crack of dawn every day? Are you one of them? Send me a note and let me know your stories. And be sure to check out our Iowa Living magazines cover stories during the month of November, as most of them will be dedicated to those who truly are early risers. We uncover the when and why and how as we interview these folks who prefer — or are required — to get a head start on each day.

Be sure to bookmark www.iowalivingmagazines.com and check out those stories throughout the month of November.

See you before the sun shines, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman 

President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here.

Join the more than 13,000 who have already cast their votes in the latest CITYVIEW'S Best Of Des Moines readers' poll — the metro's original and largest poll of its kind.

 

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West Des Moines, IA 50265

 

This darling home in historic Valley Junction is an eye catcher! 4BR/2BA property right across the street from Wilson Park. Large deck on the front of home welcomes you immediately and invites you to see all this home has to offer. Walk inside and you'll be impressed with the enclosed front porch.

 

 

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San Francisco 17 Minnesota 22

 

 

By Jackie Wilson

 

Rob Haspels is a diehard Minnesota Vikings fan. He clears his schedule to cheer on his team in person at the U.S. Bank Stadium or watches games on TV. He owns team jerseys, patches, horned helmets, Vikings memorabilia — and lots of purple gear.

 

But his most impressive expression of dedication to his team is when he got inked with a Vikings tattoo. The tattoo on his arm signifies he is “Viking for Life.”

 

Rob is a member of the Vikings World Order (VWO). The club was established in 1997 and consists of hundreds of members. The VWO is not just for celebrating victories or watching games; it is also a charity organization.

 

Read more in the latest issue of the North Polk Living magazine.