My vacation to Iowa was brief, but it wasn't meant to be. For over a year I was looking forward to attending the Rock Gone Wild music festival in northern Iowa. The festival was to be 4 days of music, lots of food and beer, and good times with friends. Some of my favorite bands, many of which I never have seen or have rarely seen, were to have played. I was looking forward to seeing Saxon, Twisted Sister, Helix, April Wine, Primal Fear, Hardcore Superstar, and over 50 other bands. Just 5 weeks before the festival the venue was changed from Freedom Park in Algona, Iowa to the Diamond Jo's Casino in Northwood, Iowa. Three weeks later and just 2 weeks before the festival was to begin, the festival was canceled. I was devastated. Since I already had non-refundable plane tickets, I went anyway to see the festival site and to get some sort of closure. I also visited the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper played their last shows as well as the plane crash site. I'm sure Iowa has a lot to offer, but to me it is the place where the music dies.