WASHINGTON
There
is Western Washington and then there is Eastern Washington. Very
different from each other in topography, climate and economies, they are
almost like two different countries. Western Washington is dominated
by the Cascade Mountain Range which includes some of the highest
mountains in the lower 48 state (including the famous Mount Rainier).
Western Washington is blessed with mild summers and winters, plenty of
rainfall and, most years, a minimum of violent weather.
Eastern
Washington is mostly semi-arid (most agriculture there requires
irrigation and usable water is in very short supply) with very few mountains
(though there are more in the north near the Canadian border). Though
there are many lakes and water courses, the water seems to have one
mind: get to the Columbia River, and then The Pacific Ocean, as quickly
as possible.
Western
Washington was the site of some phenomenal geological incidents which
resulted in the deep canyons and strange river courses. It is an
interesting place to visit but we suggest you do a little research
before leaving so you will be better prepared for what you will see.
More about
Washington
IDAHO
Your drive
through the northern narrow neck of Idaho will be brief but
exhilarating. You enter the state at about 2,000 feet elevation, make a
trial zoom up and over a 3,000 foot high pass 25 miles later and leave
the state by climbing over a 4,700 foot pass between two beautiful
6,000+ foot peaks.
Northern Idaho is beautifully rugged and gracefully independent.
This is 'can do' country and a visit to the city of Coeur d'Alene
supplies ample evidence.
More about Idaho
MONTANA
I-90 exit 105
is the Missoula Convention and Visitors' Bureau - always ready to fill
you in with interesting stories, tips and directions about this
fascinating area. Of course, Lewis and Clark are one of the main topics.
Hells Gate is another. What is Hell's Gate. Ah, let them tell it. And
make sure the kids can hear the story. You can phone the visitors'
center (toll free) at 1-800-526-3465.
More about Montana
WYOMING
Wyoming
is a land of independent and self- sufficient people; to survive, here,
you just about have to be. The folks, here, also tend to "... be of
few words." Perhaps so but if you want information - and have time
for a few stories - just head for one of our favorite stops: the
visitors' center. You just won't find people any friendlier - sincerely
so - than the folks here in Wyoming.
More about Wyoming
SOUTH DAKOTA
There
seems to be a debate about almost everything; where the Great Plains
start is no exception. We chose the school of thought which states that
the Great Plains start with the Black Hills. So... welcome to the Great
Plains.
This is some of the richest and most productive soil on this
earth. Even before the 'white man' started cultivating it, the natural
prairie grasses were among the most nutritious anywhere. Today, you'll
see those "... amber waves of grain ..." like waves of the
ocean as you drive along I-90.
More about
South Dakota
MINNESOTA
Minnesota
is known as the land of 10,000 lakes (though there are many more). But
it could well be known as the farmer's paradise. Probably no place on
earth has richer soil and the blessing extends from the southern border
with Iowa to the northern with Canada. Needless to say, the emphasis
among most Minnesotans (except in the urban Twin Cities) is agriculture.
More
about Minnesota
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WISCONSIN
Two
things you will immediately notice about Wisconsin: it is green and it
has lots of cows. You could also say that some of the barns are fancier
(and, of course, bigger) than the adjacent houses. It has been said by
some experts that you can buy the best cheese in the world in Wisconsin
(and we agree). One other thing, - Wisconsin practices diligent traffic
enforcement (and they use air spotters).
More about
Wisconsin
ILLINOIS
From here
on you'll have miles and miles and miles of toll roads. When
you enter the Chicago megalopolis you will swap tollways for
excruciating traffic. The freeway ends at Hydepark where you enter the
Chicago Skyway and swap it for the Indiana Toll Road. In northeastern
Ohio you will have a short piece of freeway and then toll road all the
way to Boston.
This part of Illinois is wall-to-wall people sprinkled with a
good smattering of industries, - mostly small and mostly home-grown.
Many were started by people who had lost their jobs and refused to sit
around waiting for another job offer. They just rolled up their sleeves
and created their own jobs as well as jobs for a lot of other people.
Little companies with 5 or 10 employees but they sure add up and this is
one of the viable factors that helps make America great!
More about
Illinois
INDIANA
Indiana
is a study in contrasts. Southern Indiana is mainly agricultural. Its
rolling hills become the foothills of the Appalachians to the south and
east. This southern area is the only part of the state not reached by
the mammoth glaciers during the ice age.
The north, or Lake Area, is mainly flat with small hills of
debris left during the melting of the glaciers. This area (through which
I-90 is routed) became one of the prime manufacturing areas in the
country. At one time it was one of the top ten in the U.S.A. During the
last two decades, much of the manufacturing has been moved overseas as
manufacturers try to maximize their profits. When you exit the
Interstate, you are frequently faced with the evidence of this severe
loss of jobs and income - both to the individuals and the community
governments.
More about Indiana
OHIO
You are
entering the Great Lakes Plains region of Ohio - flat, fertile and well
populated. As you drive eastward you will see more and more undulations
until, soon after you pass the Cleveland area, you will encounter more
and more hills - the 'Appalachian Plateau.
Your Interstate driving from Indiana to Cleveland will be on the Ohio Turnpike, one
of the best maintained toll roads east of the
Mississippi River. Typical of turnpikes, exits are few and far between,
- great for those who are in a hurry and begrudge all stops. But, if you
are the sort that likes to get out and 'smell the roses' once in awhile,
we have listed some of our favorite pauses.
More about Ohio
PENNSYLVANIA
I-90
darts through the northwest corner of Pennsylvania hugging the Lake Erie
shoreline. Much of the Florida-bound traffic comes west on I-90 then
picks up I-79 as a short cut to I-77 and, eventually, I-95.
More about
Pennsylvania
NEW YORK
Welcome
to the New York Thruway. Except for a brief, 5-mile stretch in Buffalo,
your entire drive through New York State will be on toll road.
More about New
York
MASSACHUSETTS
More about
Massachusetts
contributed by Bob
Masters |
).
Click on a gold diamond to view a list of RV Parks near I-90 exits
in and near that city.
