Some questions about America

[sbutler]

I'm one of the mover on's. I was born and raised in the mid-west. Kansas City to be exact. My wife was raised in Jackson Tennessee. I was, however, always infatuated with Mountains and wild places as there was nothing wild left in most of the lower 48. No matter were you go, your never more than about 20 miles from a road or city.

On our 15th wedding anniversary, my wife and I made the trip to Alaska, and I was forever changed. I made up my mind before we got home, that home was moving.

When we told our family's, you'd have thought we just shot their dog's. Seems as though(at least in our respective family's) you should live and die were your family is. I just thought I could make a better choice than they did and we moved.

Its not been easy, being so far away, (3800 miles) but I don't have many regrets either. I can look out any window in my log home and see the wild that I had always dreamed of. I saw were the glaciers were 10 years ago when we moved here, and I can see where they are now. I'm glad I'm here to see them before they are gone, and folks, they are melting fast.

I live in a place were grizzly's and wolves not only have healthy numbers, but they are a nuisance. You have to have true wild to have that.

As for pretty City's, (if there is such a thing) Kansas City used to pride itself as one of the most Livable City's in the country. More fountains than Rome, More Boulevard miles than France, the cost of living is about as low as any City around.

Yep, I left a pretty nice City to find wild things like Muskox.


Scott

[Music Junkie]

Scott:

I envy you..... My kind of place. Although, there in Alaska, the state bird is a Mosquito, isn't it????????



J

[BigBear]

Music Junkie wrote:

Scott:

I envy you..... My kind of place. Although, there in Alaska, the state bird is a Mosquito, isn't it????????



J

And those damned No-See-Ems!! Invented and bred in Alaska to keep tourists out! LOL! :laugh:

[sbutler]

Well J, oddly enough, the state bird isn't as prolific as one might here tell. However, if your bold enough, you can certainly find them in numbers that suggest their population is alive and well.

In My yard for example, you'll rarely see one, but if you venture a few feet into the woods, they will find you.

I also noticed that the pictures you and I use on this sight, looks like we go to the same places. You should come up some time. Maybe you could watch a couple of bulls behind my deck, fighting over a Halloween pumpkin.

Scott

[tovo]

Well...all you guys should be posting "Thank God I'm a country boy!".

I expect to see Seattle one day so I'll be able to form my own opinion.

There are 2 cities that I have interest in. Memphis for it's music history and as I understand it there is some beautiful architecture in the city, and also Boston for the same reason (Architecture). Any opinions?

By the way Boston..now THERE's an accent I can pick!

I know this is a pretty eclectic sort of thread but I know I'm enjoying the responses so thanks.

[AndyT]

Alaska is far too cold for me, but there is this spot on Kauai that is simply breath taking. If I had the loot, it'd be mine.

[tovo]

AndyT wrote:

Alaska is far too cold for me, but there is this spot on Kauai that is simply breath taking. If I had the loot, it'd be mine.

Plus you can see Russia from Alaska on a clear day!

[tom18]

tovo wrote:

Well...all you guys should be posting "Thank God I'm a country boy!".

I expect to see Seattle one day so I'll be able to form my own opinion.

There are 2 cities that I have interest in. Memphis for it's music history and as I understand it there is some beautiful architecture in the city, and also Boston for the same reason (Architecture). Any opinions?

By the way Boston..now THERE's an accent I can pick!

I know this is a pretty eclectic sort of thread but I know I'm enjoying the responses so thanks.

Tony,
Yes the Boston accent is unmistakable, but surprisingly it disappears if you travel about 50 miles away. I was born in western Massachusetts (about 90 miles from Boston) and no one there speaks with that accent. Boston is an interesting city to visit. Since it's one of the older American cities it has fairly interesting architecture, loads of historic sites and good museums. Highway development over a number of decades resulted in making it difficult to get from one part of the city to another until the "Big Dig" project was launched to route highways underground and make other improvements to the city. I haven't spent much time there since it's been completed so I can't comment on how successful it was but I know it was the most expensive highway project in American history. It's definitely worth adding to your list of American cities to visit if you get the chance.
Tom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dig

[Music Junkie]

Scott:

I have full intentions of making to Alaska when my boys get older. I really want to do some backpacking and camping up there. My buddy climbed Denali some years back (not sure if he peaked it, or just messed around on it). What a beautiful place. He complained quite a bit about the skeeters. We get into hatchings here in the Sierras, but they are small and will leave you alone for the most part if you cover up and wear some Deet. Keep the pics coming from your end, I enjoy them quite a bit....

Tony:

Boston is supposed to be a great place to visit. My wife went for work some years back and thought it was fun. Seattle is quite beautiful when the sun comes out..... B)

J

[michelew]

Interesting thread Tony. I'm learning heaps.

M