Where I've Been

With a nod to MadSanity, here are the states I've traveled to and through in my lifetime. North Dakota and Wyoming I'm not 100% sure about, we may have driven through them in one or more of my family trips as a youngster, but I don't think we did.

It has been several years since I've checked off any new states, but clearly, I'll have to book passage to the Northwest someday to get this map filled in. My paternal grandfather lived in Vancouver, Washington for a few years, but I never made it out for a visit.

I've lived in six states. I was born in Minnesota, lived in Oklahoma as a toddler, and then my mom and I returned to Minnesota while my dad was in 'Nam. We left Viking country when I was 16, and I lived in Upstate New York until college. Then it was Massachusetts for school, before I returned to New York for a couple of years. In 1995, I moved to South Florida, where I met and married my wife. In 2000, we moved to Georgia, and that's where I've been ever since.

I love the South, and am not planning to leave it. I'd love to live part-time in New England, or in the Great Lakes region--but probably not full-time. I like the warmth, character, and hospitality of the South too much. Georgia is the friendliest place I've ever lived, but I've gotten used to it and I wouldn't describe it as friendly anymore. But it was a tremendous contrast to me when I moved here. I got a touch of that when we visited Savannah in October--they were might neighborly--but I don't think about it much otherwise.

If you'd like to make your own map, you should visit World 66, and if you're interested in reading about my favorite states--you can do that next.

Comments

[Darnell Lamb]

You got me beat. I have been in only 32 states. According to your chart, you have been in 42. My missing states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

[Micah]

Though I hate to admit it, I think you're right about people being friendlier in the south. People just aren't naturally inclined to friendliness up here, myself included. I was reminded of this the other day when a Subway "sandwich artist" got all irritated with me for taking too long to rattle off my order, and I in turn felt the urge to make some snappy comment like, "Is this a bad time for you?" but I managed to refrain. This is just typical behavior in Minnesota, whereas last time I visited the south I was referred to as "darling" by several female gas station clerks. There's a very noticeable difference.