The opening scene of a pillbox house and a sunbathing neighbor.

A combine repeatedly appears, harvesting wheat amid sad guitar music.

As if to spite the beautiful countryside, the characters make poor decisions regarding food, exercise, and smoking.

Alvin sets out on his journey, driving a lawnmower.

A map of the Laurens, Iowa region, including the Grotto landmark near West Bend. Sure, I have upper part a little out of focus, but that just makes it more picturesque.

The journey continues. This sign suggests the lawnmower has made it more than 10 miles out of Laurens.

Lynch tosses in breathtaking scenery with a minimalist's humility.

A house, practice for the fire department, burned quietly and steadily throughout this scene, where Alvin had trouble manuevering the lawnmower down a steep grade.

A kind husband decides he'll offer to drive Alvin to Mount Zion, Wisconsin. (Alvin will politely refuse.)

As the journey nears the Mississippi crossing, prairie plateaus give way to hilly bluffs.

Sunlight, fields, and gracefully changing points of view.