Impressions of my southern Neighbors

[CanadianScroller]

I am pleased with the results of the thread on what do you think of Canada. The forum, once again shows a very positive light.

I said in that thread that when I was first introduced to Canada, I had been shown pictures of Indians in feather bonnets, a very intriguing thought for a young boy.
In 1966 I had the pleasure of visiting the States with my family. We had only been in North America for less than a year.

Some observations, probably distorted a little with time but sincerely based on truth.

• Traffic in Chicago in 1966 was still bumper to bumper.
• If a white family with English accents takes a wrong turn and ends up in the ghetto during the mid 60s, the residents are very helpful when shown mutual respect.
• The Badlands of the Dakotas are really not bad.
• Mount Rushmore is really really big.
• Corn does indeed grow as high as an elephants eye.
• There are hundreds of signs showing the way to the worlds biggest prairie dog.
• Old Faithful, is not always on time!
• Some Indians really did wear feather bonnets and their skin was brown not red.
• The grand canyon is REALLY REALLY BIG!
• The painted dessert is really not painted.
• Petrified wood is as hard as a rock!
• The mighty Mississippi is really really big. It looked like a river of chocolate.
• The number of toll bridges and highways is inversely proportional to the amount of cash you have on hand.
• George Washington sure slept in a lot of places.
• Dads who drive 500 miles a day on vacation can sometimes get a little grumpy when sons forget to lock the fishing rods in the roof rack and they fall out on the freeway.
• Number one observation, 3 weeks is not enough time to visit 27 of the states.

I always treasure the memories and look forward to visiting again.
When I do I expect at least a cup of coffee from all my friends online

[Jediscroller]

Hehehe Carl. I'll have the coffee on waiting for you!

[Neal Moore]

Come on down....anytime!!!! We'll make you feel welcome

[sheltiecarver]

Carl,
I don't drink coffee, but I'll find some for you. And cookies!!
Come on down!!
Sandy
PS I think most of your observations are still spot on, except traffic in Chicago is worse now.

[Dusty Buffalo]

Carl,

Where was this enormous prairie dog of which you speak? I love the little critters. I just might have to visit him. Of course, by now he's probably the world's biggest dead prairie dog.

Oh, and stay out of Chicago, especially the Dan Ryan Freeway. Took me 3 hours to get through Chicago last month on a trip that should have taken no more than 30 minutes. What a nightmare.

The Grand Canyon almost looks fake. It's so massive that it's hard for the brain to imagine that the hole is really that big. But it is gorgeous.

You're welcome anytime. Just give me enough warning so I can fetch some coffee. We don't the stuff.

[Neal Moore]

Dusty.....next time take the 294 tollway around Chicago. Still pretty bad during rush hour but a lot better than the Ryan!!! I haven't been back up there since '93 and unless someone ties a bone to my butt and chases me back with dogs....I ain't agoin' again!!! BTW, where were you headed...Northbrook, Deerfield, North Chicago????

[Neal Moore]

I can't comment on Canada because about all I really know first hand is the very wonderful people from there that I've met on this forum. I did once go across the river from near Detroit to visit a nudie bar. Gotta say I had TOO much fun!!!!

[Woodbutcher68]

The traffic in Chicago is no different than any other large metropolitan area. I worked 4 blocks from Sox park for over 10 years and drove the Dan Ryan daily, also heard gunfire on an almost daily basis.
I live two blocks South of I-94, two miles East of the Illinois stateline and see the traffic backups daily. There are two seasons in Chicago: Winter and Road construction and the Ryan is now in the middle of a MAJOR rebuild, and there's tollbooth work on 294.
If that white family strays off the Dan Ryan into the ghetto now, they better find their way back in a hurry. (Sad but true)
For the last 5 1/2 years I've been working only 6 miles from home and NOT in Chicago. (I could probably make 40-50% more working in the city.)
Personally, I don't like Chicago or any other large city and I avoid them whenever possible. I'll take Mayberry RFD anyday!

[Dusty Buffalo]

Neal,

I was headed home to GA from WI. I used to go by way of the Dan Ryan all the time when we lived in Cincinnati years ago.

On the way to WI we took 294 but I was headed home via I65 and figured it would be quicker. Stupid me, there I go thinking again.

I'm still trying to figure out how Chicago can still be chopping and rebuilding freeways. EVERY time I go through there they're working on one. It almost seems like it's the same freeway constantly under construction. I'm sure it's probably a different one, just seems like it's always the one I'm on.