Adventures in wayfinding:

Next exit

Text by Michele Regenold, Photos by Alison Weidemann

Good call. Exit 111B is the one you want.

Your mom exits off the interstate on to Highway 30 west, a four-lane highway. You pass one exit that clearly leads to a business district. You see a car dealership, a motel, restaurants, a discount store.

A little farther is a sign for the Iowa State Center. Does that mean the center of campus? You’re not sure. The next sign gives you more confidence. There's only one I.S.U. in Ames.

“This exit, Mom,” you say.

Your mom takes it. 

The exit ramp forks, but the sign points right, so she follows the curve to the right, merging on to Elwood Drive.

You spot a sign for visitor information. “Do we need that?” you ask.

“Only if we get lost,” your mom says.

Near the first light on Elwood is a small sign, like a bread crumb, pointing the way to Iowa State.

Banners hang from the light poles in the median. “The banners are nice,” your mom says.

“Does that mean we’re on campus now?” you say.

“I suppose.”

Elwood Drive curves around a large garden bound by a black metal fence. “Oh, I bet that’s worth seeing in the summer,” your mom says.

“Yeah,” you say, but the football stadium has grabbed your attention instead.

Beyond that is a huge parking lot with a coliseum at the far end. The cute little Visitor Information building is across the street, but your mom passes it by.

She says, “Should we go straight at the next light or turn left?”

You glance at your map and the street sign. “Lincoln Way, go left.”

Your mom turns left.