Been There Done That

Every one is asking for the map that shows the states I have been to, so here it is. Listing the states in order and not alphabetical, those are the ones traveled to so far.

CT, MA, RI, NY, PA, MD, DC, VA, NC, SC, TN, WV, DE, AR, OK, KS, CO, UT, AZ, NM, CA, NV, NE, IA, IN, Il, OH, NJ, MS, MO, KY, GA, FL, AL, LA, TX

The fall of 2007 finds me crossing off all of the Gulf Coast States. From wonder at the signs of damage left over from Katrina and the signs of (re) building going on through out the region. I continue to travel the US highway system instead of the Interstates. They are so much prettier to look at, less truck traffic and you never know what odd place you will find that you miss flying by on the Interstate.

The plan originally called for covering the Canadian border states this summer and returning to whatever local I had selected to settle down in. The current market conditions in the real estate and housing markets say that I might be better off spending the time investigating the opportunities as the markets bottom. We will see. So far the Prescott Valley to the foothills Flagstaff is the area I am looking at settling in.

Been a while since I crossed off a new state, as I spent all of the winter in the Palm Springs area of So Cal. The ride up and over the hills in Barstow was interesting, in a desert sort of way. I remain convinced that this land was under water at some time. Reminds me of low tide off Block Island.

I-81 is by far the better road over I 84 and I 95, both for condition and the scenery. If you ever get the chance, take a drive down that road in the fall! As good as any thing in New England for leaf peeping and a lot less crowed and expensive.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is much better maintained in NC than in VA, especially from the aspect of keeping the trees trimmed back from the edges of the road and over head.

Down south, (out west too) running roads that parallel the Interstates' are just as fast and a lot less traveled. Only drawback is a slower travel speed and bigger gaps between facilities, stores and gas stations, but when you have your own food and toilet with you in an RV, it is not that big of an obstacle. Definitely not enough to put up with the noise and traffic hassles of the Interstate. Well worth it to see more of the "real" America and not just the tourist traps

I 40 thru Arkansas and Oklahoma has to be some of the worst stretches of Interstate I have ever driven. The USA Today article naming these two states versions of I-40 are right on the money. If time was not an issue, taking US RT 64 and US RT 66 would be a prettier and smoother ride, though a much longer one for sure.

I 10 and I 20 thru LA and MS left me wondering how roads that do not have frost heave issues could be in such bad condition. Louisiana does get the tip of the hat for its policy on littering. Up to a $3000 FINE AND many hours community service picking up trash. It was funny to watch, but there was a direct correlation between the size of the fines for littering and the amounts of trash along the roads and highways of that state. MO came in second with its $1000 dollar fine and a year in jail.

I 80 thru Ohio had to have the highest Tolls I have ever seen, and some of the worst roads I have driven. Granted not as bad as I 40 thru OK, but better than I 80 thru PA. The rest stops were really nice in Ohio, but if I am choosing, a better road is far more appreciated. But the cost of the tolls vs. the condition really bothered me!

Once you get out of the northeastern part of the US, the best roads become not the Interstate system, but the old US RT system roads. Mostly 2 lane highways, but the traffic is less, there are more things to see other than name brand chain stores and eating places and the scenery is much better. the road less traveled for sure, but as Charles Kuralt showed, the back roads and byways of America is REALLY what and who America IS. Not the Ulcer Gulch I-95 corridor. Out west, it does matter to pay attention to how far the next exit WITH services is. There are several good road books that list them, or most of the mapping software and GPS solutions have them. Do NOT cut it short though, as often they are wrong or the gas station is not open 24 x 7. And in Texas and Oklahoma, for some reason a LOT of smaller stations I am finding have closed. Many signs and lists are not up to date.

I have also begun a collection of some of the unusual traffic signs I have seen. There are a whole bunch of signs one does not normally see back east and I thought you all might enjoy them! Out west you do have to pay attention to the animals in road signs. A little prancing deer is one thing with its forward facing antlers, an Elk with its antlers facing backwards causes you to be a bit extra alert (450 to 750 pounds for an Elk vs. a White Tail or Mule Deer at 200 to 300 pounds does make a difference) but the sign for Moose or Bison had better make you sit up and take notice! Also, if the government goes to the expense to put photoelectric eyes along the side of the highway to trigger signs that read "Animals on Highway", it is a safe bet that there is a HIGH probability of there actually being one there!

Out west, when they warn of the likelihood of wind gusts or high winds, AND put up a WINDSOCK to show you the direction the wind is blowing from and how gusty it is, you do need to pay attention!