Iowa envy. I believe I've been guilty of that since I reached voting age. It's become more pronounced over the years, since my current state of residence is both relatively unimportant in terms of delegates and electoral votes and is also so thoroughly dominated by a single party that candidates rarely bother to acknowledge its presence.

So, in the midst of a cross-country drive from Atlanta to Salt Lake City, when the opportunity arose to see three top-tier candidates in 24 hours, the course of action was clear.

On Labor Day, I detoured from St. Louis to Des Moines, arriving just in time to participate in the labor rally at the state fairgrounds, where Hillary Clinton spoke and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, introduced her. Immediately after, a drive to Chariton was on the docket, for a smaller and more personal view of John Edwards at the town square. Following a night in Des Moines, Tuesday led me to the third and final stop, a rally for Barack Obama at the Waukee fire station.

From a voter perspective, it was a fascinating glimpse at retail politics. I was especially impressed at the stop in Chariton, where the crowd was small enough to provide an almost one-on-one feel with the candidate. The entire experience was so remarkable that I've encouraged friends who live within driving distance to come to Iowa as well, not to usurp the process, but to view it firsthand.

But, as thrilled as I was to see and hear from the candidates, the real story is more about the everyday people. At every stop, I encountered remarkable citizens engaging in meaningful civic activity. A young mother at the fairgrounds allowed me to pick up her beautiful little girl so she could get a better look at a former president. The toddler may not remember the event, but it will be part of her history as she becomes voting age.

In Chariton, a couple from Arkansas was following their daughter (now living in Iowa) in her role as an organizer for one of the campaigns. They had obviously instilled a sense of civic responsibility in her, and the importance of the political process had spurred her to action. In Waukee, a couple from Winterset, Leo and Judy Hensley, spoke eloquently about their civic responsibilities, saying it was their duty to see and hear from all of the candidates in both parties.

At every turn, I was impressed with the depth and scope of the average Iowan's knowledge of the candidates, the issues and the process. Their engagement was a stark contrast to what I've seen in other areas of the country. In a small ice-cream shop in Waukee, every patron and the woman running the shop could, and did, engage in informed and civil discourse - a refreshing change from the slogan parroting found elsewhere.

Leaving Iowa on Tuesday, I was still envious, but also thankful that Iowa remains first in the presidential-selection process. Its citizens are committed and knowledgeable and demand a personal connection by the candidates that would not take place in the larger and more urban states such as Michigan and Florida, which are jockeying to increase their early influence.

To Iowans, I give my thanks. To the rest of the nation, I encourage you to go there if you are able. I feel strongly that your opinion will be close to mine by the time you leave.

ALAN DUNLAP lives in Sandy, Utah.