I'm planning a trip to Colorado in August in which I will also go into New Mexico, Wyoming and Nebraska. That will bring me up to 46 out of 50 states visited. Here's part 1:
Delaware- small state but 2 clearly distinct regions. The northern most county is heavily populated and the location of its largest city of Wilmington and some areas could be considered suburban Philadelphia. If you go south of Dover, it becomes more rural and even has a bit of a southern feel. I have only been in the southernmost county, just up the road from Ocean City, Maryland and did venture up to Bethany Beach a few times just for a change.
Maryland- another small state but this one has 3 distinct regions and I have spent a fair amount of time in all 3. The westernmost counties have more in common with West Virginia in both culture and landscape. I have been to Backbone Mountain, the highest point in the state at 3360 ft., located in the far southwest corner. Once you get past Frederick, you’re in the heavily populated Baltimore/DC area, which dominates the political landscape of the state and has more in common with the northeast corridor than the rest of Maryland. The eastern shore is largely rural and semi-southern. I spent a summer in Salisbury, just 30 minutes outside of Ocean City and landed a job at K-Mart, which was an interesting experience. I may return to Ocean City for a race.
Pennsylvania- lived here and ran some local 5Ks. It has been described as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in between. Central PA may be rural but it is not culturally similar to AL. Highlights include an attractive skyline, amusement parks and sports stadiums in Pittsburgh. I’ve been to Philly as well as a few small towns in central PA. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia both have a half marathon that is on my list to do. I’ve been to the high point, Mt. Davis at the edge of the Blue Ridge mountains, over 3000 ft elevation.
New York- I’ve never been to NYC except the area near JFK airport in Queens. I have been to the baseball HOF in Cooperstown, the state capitol in Albany and Buffalo where I set a PR in the 1500 at the Junior Olympics. Ran the NYC half in 2017 and it was a great trip that included the Freedom Tower, Top of the Rock, Coney Island and the Brooklyn Bridge.
New Jersey- Been to the Trenton area. The southern half seems to be a decent place to live but as you get close to the NYC suburbs, beware. I did run the steeplechase at Rutgers in 103 degree heat. Needless to say, it wasn’t a very good race.
Connecticut- rode through here on my way to Cape Cod with my parents but I was only 3-4 years old so I have no memory of it. I may return to the area for a big race such as the ING Hartford half or full, which takes place when the leaves turn. Real visit came in 2018. Spent a night in New Haven and drove along Beach Road. Took Metro North into NYC.
Rhode Island- Same 2018 road trip. Did not race or spend a night but did stop in Newport for the Cliff Walk so that qualifies.
Massachusetts- 2018 road trip. Saw Boston, Cape Cod and completed a half marathon at Horseneck Beach. Highlights included Boylston Street, Freedom Trail and the JFK library.
Vermont- checked off this state as well as NH and ME on a 2005 road trip. Dinner in Rutland, drive through Green Mountains. Returned to Springfield in 2018 for the Maple Leaf half marathon.
New Hampshire- drive through White Mountains, stopped in Concord, toured State capitol.
Maine- has some remote areas in the northern half. I only saw Kennebunkport and Portland and walked on the beach for a bit. Returned in 2014 on my way to Nova Scotia. Flew into Bangor and stopped in Houlton. Did a junk run on the Univ. of Maine track.
Delaware- small state but 2 clearly distinct regions. The northern most county is heavily populated and the location of its largest city of Wilmington and some areas could be considered suburban Philadelphia. If you go south of Dover, it becomes more rural and even has a bit of a southern feel. I have only been in the southernmost county, just up the road from Ocean City, Maryland and did venture up to Bethany Beach a few times just for a change.
Maryland- another small state but this one has 3 distinct regions and I have spent a fair amount of time in all 3. The westernmost counties have more in common with West Virginia in both culture and landscape. I have been to Backbone Mountain, the highest point in the state at 3360 ft., located in the far southwest corner. Once you get past Frederick, you’re in the heavily populated Baltimore/DC area, which dominates the political landscape of the state and has more in common with the northeast corridor than the rest of Maryland. The eastern shore is largely rural and semi-southern. I spent a summer in Salisbury, just 30 minutes outside of Ocean City and landed a job at K-Mart, which was an interesting experience. I may return to Ocean City for a race.
Pennsylvania- lived here and ran some local 5Ks. It has been described as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in between. Central PA may be rural but it is not culturally similar to AL. Highlights include an attractive skyline, amusement parks and sports stadiums in Pittsburgh. I’ve been to Philly as well as a few small towns in central PA. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia both have a half marathon that is on my list to do. I’ve been to the high point, Mt. Davis at the edge of the Blue Ridge mountains, over 3000 ft elevation.
New York- I’ve never been to NYC except the area near JFK airport in Queens. I have been to the baseball HOF in Cooperstown, the state capitol in Albany and Buffalo where I set a PR in the 1500 at the Junior Olympics. Ran the NYC half in 2017 and it was a great trip that included the Freedom Tower, Top of the Rock, Coney Island and the Brooklyn Bridge.
New Jersey- Been to the Trenton area. The southern half seems to be a decent place to live but as you get close to the NYC suburbs, beware. I did run the steeplechase at Rutgers in 103 degree heat. Needless to say, it wasn’t a very good race.
Connecticut- rode through here on my way to Cape Cod with my parents but I was only 3-4 years old so I have no memory of it. I may return to the area for a big race such as the ING Hartford half or full, which takes place when the leaves turn. Real visit came in 2018. Spent a night in New Haven and drove along Beach Road. Took Metro North into NYC.
Rhode Island- Same 2018 road trip. Did not race or spend a night but did stop in Newport for the Cliff Walk so that qualifies.
Massachusetts- 2018 road trip. Saw Boston, Cape Cod and completed a half marathon at Horseneck Beach. Highlights included Boylston Street, Freedom Trail and the JFK library.
Vermont- checked off this state as well as NH and ME on a 2005 road trip. Dinner in Rutland, drive through Green Mountains. Returned to Springfield in 2018 for the Maple Leaf half marathon.
New Hampshire- drive through White Mountains, stopped in Concord, toured State capitol.
Maine- has some remote areas in the northern half. I only saw Kennebunkport and Portland and walked on the beach for a bit. Returned in 2014 on my way to Nova Scotia. Flew into Bangor and stopped in Houlton. Did a junk run on the Univ. of Maine track.
2 comments:
Where in Nebraska are you visiting? I'm assuming the Western part of the state. Scottsbluff?
Yes, it will be the western part. I'll just be cutting through a corner to check it off my list. I would not rule out a return in the future.
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