dbdurand

Hi. As you can see, your thread has for all practical purposes vanished from sight, because about 80 other more recent posts have pushed it down the United States list. I suggest you tag it with the names of some of the States you plan to visit, for starters, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. I gather you can have up to 5. How to do it is found by clicking on "FAQ" at the bottom of this page.

I have ideas about your trip which will come later. I was born and grew up in Chicago, then moved to California, but after 7 years moved to Lincoln Nebraska for 3 years, then finally back to California. So I'm moderately familiar with the "middle states" that you mention.

I think the basic idea for your trip is terrific! Stick with it.

carolyn

The post giving Indianapolis as a central point didn't mention that 100 miles south on I-65 will put you into Kentucky, and KY is one of the prettiest states in the union. The western edge crosses the Mississippi River and takes you into St. Louis, Missouri.

Rich

If you decide to go the southern route, this might help for part of the trip. It is a trip we took a few years ago

http://simpller.com/RoadTrip/Index.htm

dbdurand

Hi paulie29.

I would like to express my interpretation of "the states in the middle of America which don't get advertised as much over here", and you and other posters can come back with your agreements and disagreements.

Middle America has in the past been referred to by Americans as: the Middle West, The Midwest, The Heartland, America's Breadbasket, and condescendingly by easterners, Flyover Country. It consists of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. On my globe it looks like it's about the size of France and Germany put together.

Here's a Wikipedia article on it.

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

RedRock

If you want to see anything of this country stay off the "I"nterstate Highways as much as possible. One "I" road looks very much like another. This may take a day or so longer but at least you will see something of America and its small town charm.. Stop at a local Walmart* and invest in a Rand McNally Road Atlas for $5.97. Enjoy

paulie29

I just had to add another post to thank everyone for taking time out their day to give me advice. I'm amazed at the number of replies and the great information you have all given me.

I really can't wait for the trip now and am really excited about visiting many of the places you have mentioned. It's going to be a great trip!

Also, I hope I didn't offend anyone with the phrase 'the states in the middle of America'. Your country is just so vast that I didn't want to list all the different states - I am as excited about visiting one place as the next!

Thanks again for helping me out!!!

Rich

Enjoy your visit and please post a trip report when you return!

dbdurand

You are in luck! August is State Fair month, at least for most of the states you may be traveling through. These fairs are real Americana. Most are large, and some are huge, attracting about a million visitors during their 7-10 day duration. You definitely should experience one. Just Google Iowa State Fair, for example, to see what they have to offer. Here are the dates.
Ohio 7/28-8/8
Indiana 8/6-8/22
Illinois 8/13-8/22
Iowa 8/12-8/22
Missouri 8/12-8/22
Nebraska 8/27-9/6
Wisconsin 8/5-8/15
Minnesota 8/26-9/6

Michigan has had to cancel its fair. Things are really bad there economically.
The fairs in Kansas, N. Dakota, and S. Dakota are not in August.