AMES -- Out of the miles of cornfields rises Jack Trice Stadium, home of the Iowa State University Cyclones and gateway to the focus of the Republican universe. Drive around the stadium, try (and, in this reporter's case, fail) to understand the parking signs, and witness the perhaps 100 volunteers holding huge Ron Paul for President signs. Find a place to park (off campus, on the street) and walk through what will be, in just a few hours, a crowded mass of the GOP faithful.

A few first impressions:

-- The Paul folks are leading the sign wars on the way to campus. Once here, their volunteers easily outnumber volunteers for every other campaign (though it's only 9am). Chants of "Ron Paul" are audible from hundreds of yards away.

-- The Romney folks are smart: They have golf carts to carry their volunteers. This reporter will try and hop a ride at some point today.

-- Sam Brownback's campaign got a prime location, right at the entrance. Spaces were auctioned off, and with a starting price of $15,000, Brownback would have had to shell out a pretty penny for the great space. Will it pay off?

Time to see if any campaign is offering breakfast treats. Keep watching this space as we update throughout the day. And we'll try and figure out how to upload the dozens of pictures we've shot.