Jay Honeck wrote:

I've driven across Iowa several times ... it IS flat and barren. :-)
I wouldn't call it wasteland though as it does grow lots of corn!

I must admit though that I found Kansas even more boring to traverse on a
motorcycle than Iowa. I literally started falling asleep riding my
motorcycle across Kansas! I didn't even think that was possible up until
then.


Yeah, back when we lived in Wisconsin (and rode touring motorcycles all over
the country) we used to hate the ride from Illinois to the foothills of the
Rocky Mountains, simply because it was so flat and boring.

Only later did we realize that, by sticking to the interstates, we made
great time but had denied ourselves the true beauty and terrain of the
Midwest. Remember, the interstate system is *designed* to be flat and
boring. Once we figured that out, and got off of I-80, Iowa, Nebraska and
Kansas became just as much fun to see as the rest of the country.

Yes, you make a good point about the interstates, but even the
interstates in PA are neither flat nor straight. My destinations were
always in or west of the Rockies so smelling the roses in the midwest
wasn't on the agenda, but I agree it is something I should do some day
when I get another bike. With kids about to enter college and a new
house to pay for and a compay that barely survived bankruptcy after the
telecomm bust, I no longer have either an airplane or a motorcycle.
Hopefully, some day when my ship comes back in...

Matt