Oh boy, the states are coming fast and furious(ly) now! ‘Course, I’m in Chicago at my brother’s place all this week, so there will be a slow-down in state-churn for a bit. Ah well, ah well.
Despite appearances, there wasn’t all that much highway construction going on in Michigan. I think someone must have forgotten they were a swing state.
I had some pretty great times in Michigan and there were, by definition, some great lakes, so — yeah. Good job on not over-selling on the welcome sign. Some cool things about Michigan:
- Everyone goes 10 mph over, even in 25 mph zones — this was especially amazing after the very cautious driving habits of North Dakotans, Minnesotans, and Wisconsinians.
- No, seriously: 10 over!
- No “click it or ticket signs” or other nanny-state roadside hallmarks.
- People were disarmingly friendly. Like, residents in small towns who know you’re a tourist walking through their neighborhood still say hello and seem to mean it.
- Granted, I’ve never been to Detroit, but: it’s a pretty place.
More later.
bkd
I would’ve thought Wisconsin would be more welcoming, but it turns out that if you enter the state on US 2, they don’t particularly care whether you’ve gotten there or not.
At least the City of Superior bothered to try. (Trust me, that sign says something about Superior and how it’s yet another “Tree City USA”.)
I was also impressed that Wisconsin had (no joke) closed down all the Wisconsin Welcome Centers that were on the freeways. Unsubtle.
bkd
It’s an oddly shaped state.
The bug splatters are multiplying.
I entered Minnesota at Fargo-Moorhead. Gas is pretty cheap in MN (I bought it for $2.37 in Bemidji this morning). Confusingly, gas here generally comes in two octanes, both at the same price. I’m wondering if the cornpower folks have something to do with that.
And I’m heading to Boundary Waters tomorrow. In at #16 (Nina Moose River), paddling up to Lake Agnes, and camping there for a couple nights. Just, you know, fyi.
bkd
20% of the way there (in terms of states visited, yes)!
The portrait on the sign is Theodore Roosevelt.
Although, let it be said that Highway 85 from Hill City to the 94 is one boring stretch of highway. A boring stretch of highway that Rand-McNally considers “scenic”, yes. I question the wisdom of Rand-McNally.
bkd
Drove 70 miles out of my way so I could say I’d driven to Nebraska. Here’s proof!
Those might be hay fields actually.
To celebrate the occasion, I went to the Wal-Mart in Chadron where I bought wiper fluid. Seemed appropriate.
bkd
An eighth of the way there (measured in terms of states visited, more lik 28% of the way there in terms of time).
I actually pulled over to take a welcome sign photo.
And then I kept driving.
bkd
Over 10% of the way there.
The bug-splattered windshield aids the photo’s composition.
I had lunch at what I thought was going to be a local drive-in, but it turned out to be a regional chain restaurant, so I didn’t take any pictures.
bkd
Despite appearances, there wasn’t all that much highway construction going on in Michigan. I think someone must have forgotten they were a swing state.
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