IH Nationals 2011

[AmericaOverland]

Finally, my web site has the latest addition of my trip to Ohio this September. I took my Wrangler LJ on a 3,200 mi trip there and back through 8 states. Click on the "IH Nationals 2011" trip link. It's a bit of a long read at 319 photos spread across 18 days. Enjoy!

www.deafdrummer.org/americaoverland

[old1959]

I just want to comment that you did a great job on your trip report to Ohio for the IH festivities. I grew up in south eastern Ohio (Logan) and later moved to the Columbus area. Also, lived in Huntsville, Alabama for a few years so enjoyed your 'southern' experiences. Regarding your desire to live in a place where you can be outdoors more often, after spending 15 years in the Houston area (Friendswood to be exact), I have moved to the Seattle area and while I do miss Texas the puget sound is truly an outdoor paridise with lots of outdoor activities. You may want to give it a look. Thanks for the enjoyment.

[AmericaOverland]

... I have moved to the Seattle area and while I do miss Texas the puget sound is truly an outdoor paridise with lots of outdoor activities. You may want to give it a look. Thanks for the enjoyment.

You're welcome, and thanks for the suggestion on Seattle. How is Seattle different from Texas? Something would have to justify putting thousands of miles between myself and the eastern part of the US, where I have family living.

[old1959]

Seattle or I should say the Puget Sound is different in that the area has a lot of hiking and biking trails for starters. Also, the area has a lot of camping opportunities. The other things that is different is the amount of mountains and coastline. Another plus are the nearby national forests. The summers are truly outstanding but the winters are long, dark and rainy.

Every place where I have ever lived as plus and minuses and yet I have enjoyed them all. However, I will say that once I can retire, probably another five years, I plan to return to Texas because the area is probably my favorite.

Enjoy life.

[AmericaOverland]

Old,

My main concern is the winters up there. I don't like that too much. What is bringing you back to Texas?

[Martinjmpr]

Old,

My main concern is the winters up there. I don't like that too much. What is bringing you back to Texas?

Winters in Western Washington are wet but not terribly cold (for example, it rarely gets below freezing.) The constant overcast/drizzle gets depressing though. I was stationed at Fort Lewis (South of Tacoma) from 1989-91 and loved it. Summers are magnificent, warm and dry, and there are hundreds of parks, trails, campsites, etc. Mountains to the East and ocean to the West, and one of the few temperate (as opposed to tropical) rain forests in the world.

[old1959]

I will return to Texas because in the end Texas has been my favorite place out the 49 states (missing Alaska but will get there now that I live in Washington) I have lived or visited. Regarding the comments from Martinjmpr, coming from Texas this place is cold. The summer are nice but my wife considers 60 to 70 degrees to be jacket or sweater weather. Everyone is different which keeps the world interesting.