Nice puzzle. I've been to 1-Across as a kid, on the college campus in that town. Not much to say other than it felt weirdly exotic at the time (note: I'm from Washington State, which has a lot of stretches like 1-Across's state, so yeah, exotic is a state of mind, I guess!) Cheers!
Love the Iowa State clue too! I've lived, unfortunately, in Minnesota for the last 10 years. When I go home to Arizona and California to visit home, friends and family, I go through Ames every time. Your clue made total sense to me!
I, unfortunately, live in Minnesota too. Tho my wife and I do spend a part of the winter in the southwest to avoid the cold. So, I make that same trip through Ames a couple times a year!
I know - every time I see some clue about a great lake, I think - jeez, it is the ONLY one that's gonna fit your puzzle. So, I've had that clue in my head for years!