As we ring in 2015, I've visited 25% of the counties in the United States. I operate in five year chunks, so in coming posts, I'll update the places I got to see 2010-2014. While that looks like a short burst of time on paper, a lot happened in those five years. We went from adventurous newlyweds, able to pack up and leave town for a weekend whenever we wanted to more homebodies when Reid entered the equation (May 2012).
In 2010, I was able to complete three states (Delaware - Kent County, July 2010 & Indiana - Warren County, October 2010, & Connecticut - Litchfield County, October 2014). I picked up a new state this past autumn (Vermont - Windham County, October 2014) and have had many other milestones in travelling, that mean nothing to any one else (well, maybe a few people).
In the coming years (2015-2019), I'd like to visit a few new states: Minnesota, Iowa, and Maine. I'm being realistic... ten years ago, I'd of hope to have had fifty states under my belt (vs. my current 32). In my surrounding states, I've visited: 100% Indiana, 73% Pennsylvania, 47.5% Kentucky, 40 % West Virginia, and (only) 12% of Michigan.
Pennsylvania
The majority of unvisited counties in PA lie on the NY border. The closest obtainable counties are Armstrong & Butler, both lie northwest of Pittsburgh. The remaining three counties (outliers) are Juniata, Mifflin, & Snyder (all directly north of Harrisburg).
| Armstrong County Court House - Kittanning, PA |
Kentucky
The fifth state I visited, closing in on half complete. Kentucky has 120 counties, the most of Ohio's neighboring states. I visited Henderson by crossing a bridge from Evansville back in 2008. This is the only county I've visited west of I-65. On the eastern border, the only remaining 'needs' are Harlan & Martin. Outside of these two, the only needed counties east of I-75 are nine (all south of I-64): Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Jackson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Owsley, and Perry.
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| Lee County Courthouse - Beattyville, KY |
We have had opportunities to gain some in south central KY, in having multiple friends that go to either Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow Lake (KY/TN), or Norris Lake (TN). There are nineteen unvisited counties in this region, all attainable in a day or weekend trip.
As for everything west of I-65, this leaves a grand total of 31.
West Virginia
This is Julie's parents home state and we have Grandma Marge to visit in Wheeling. To the naked eye, I need six in SW WV, but this is a section of the state with one federal highway (US 52) and extremely rough terrain... prefer traversing these byways in the sunshine. Only three Ohio River border counties remain (Pleasants, Tyler, & Wetzel). I've kicked myself on several occasions for not dropping down into the eastern panhandle of WV when I've travelled to and from Washington, DC. Probably a 1-2 hour detour (tops) and a chance to visit Harper's Ferry.
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| Harper's Ferry, WV |
I've kicked myself on several occasions for not dropping down into the eastern panhandle of WV when I've travelled to and from Washington, DC. Probably a 1-2 hour detour (tops) and a chance to visit Harper's Ferry.
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Michigan
Embarrassingly, I have only been to ten counties (of 83) in the great state of Michigan. It's no excuse that I was a strapped for cash college student when I lived closest to MI. Under a half hour from the north side of Toledo, I should have explored a lot more than I did.
What I have visited stretches from Ingham County (Lansing) east to Macomb County (travelled here a few times between 2005-2007 for work. In the next five years, I'd like to travel the area bordering Lake Michigan and possibly run I-75 to the Upper Peninsula. Lofty goal would to say 50% by 2020, but for now, I'll take a few side trips into the Wolverine State.
| Flint, MI |
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