Spent early Thursday thru late Saturday traveling 2000 miles in a Honda Odyssey. During the part of the run connecting Nashville to Knoxville to Asheville it became apparent that those naming places in that geographic region had a strong preference for ending the name with "ville". It seemed that nearly every road sign we encountered would mention some new "ville" in the area. Anyone know why?
Another question for those familiar with that region. I saw a sign that I just knew said French Bread River. Before being able to ponder too deeply as to why anyone would name a river after French bread, I realized that the middle word was "Broad". That lead to wondering which specific French broad the namer had in mind at the time. Marie Antoinette perhaps??? Please explain to this Flatlander.
Added a new state to my list of states that I have been in at least once in my lifetime. Entered South Carolina for a few minutes directly south of Charlotte, NC then headed back north into NC. I'm up to 32 total now.
Google (of course) has an answer. It apparently has to do with them "frenchies". 😉
Google/Wikipedia have the answer to the naming of the French Broad River as well.
The short version is that there were two large (broad) rivers in western North Carolina. One ran into territory claimed by France, the other into territory claimed by England. Thus the rivers were named French Broad River and English Broad River.
Gentlemen and scholars. Great people hang out around here.
Holy Cow, post: 379894, member: 50 wrote:
Added a new state to my list of states that I have been in at least once in my lifetime. Entered South Carolina for a few minutes directly south of Charlotte, NC then headed back north into NC. I'm up to 32 total now.
32 huh? That's my current total as well (+ DC which doesn't count [in more ways than one])
I suspect that our LIST of states is probably quite different (maybe not), but then I've never been to South Carolina... or Kansas for that matter.:cool:
A couple of the states are "airport only," but I figure if you get off the plane, have a couple of beers, take a leak, and get on an other plane...it counts. Just flying over a state does not (otherwise I'd be well into the 40s).
I'll bet that we have quite a few 50-Staters on board here.
Loyal
Loyal, you have a bunch I don't. The block of North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Nevada, for example. Another, far smaller, block of six is Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. That leaves only Delaware, Florida, Georgia and Alabama in the original 48. Of course, Hawaii and Alaska are a bit too far for me to even think about. I've been in D.C. numerous times but not since 1984.
Four years ago, the last state added, prior to a few days ago, was South Dakota.
Holy,
I've been to all of the states on your "not yet" list, except, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Florida, and Alabama. So you got a boat load of Southeast and East Coast that I don't.
Of course that 6 State "block" in the Northeast could be covered in a single day without having to stop for gas, unlike the Western States.
Alaska is my favorite, but Hawaii is near the bottom of my list. To be fair, I've only seen O'aha and Maui. Folks tell me that Hawaii is THE Island to visit.
Loyal
You boys don't know what you're missing having never been to new england. Love it here having been born and bred in Michigan.
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Paul D, post: 379964, member: 323 wrote: You boys don't know what you're missing having never been to new england. Love it here having been born and bred in Michigan.
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You will get NO argument from me!
Although my time in Massachusetts is limited to the Airport in Boston (3 or 4 times), I did get to spend a few weeks in Maine (1983 and again in 1984). I LOVED Maine (and the lobsters), and felt very much "at home" with the folks I met. Kind of like being in Wyoming or Montana, but with a different accent...
The "Northeast" is on my bucket list, and one of these days I'll fly back there, rent a car, and spend some time (weeks) roaming around.
Loyal
Holy Cow, post: 379894, member: 50 wrote: Spent early Thursday thru late Saturday traveling 2000 miles in a Honda Odyssey. During the part of the run connecting Nashville to Knoxville to Asheville it became apparent that those naming places in that geographic region had a strong preference for ending the name with "ville". It seemed that nearly every road sign we encountered would mention some new "ville" in the area. Anyone know why?
Another question for those familiar with that region. I saw a sign that I just knew said French Bread River. Before being able to ponder too deeply as to why anyone would name a river after French bread, I realized that the middle word was "Broad". That lead to wondering which specific French broad the namer had in mind at the time. Marie Antoinette perhaps??? Please explain to this Flatlander.
Added a new state to my list of states that I have been in at least once in my lifetime. Entered South Carolina for a few minutes directly south of Charlotte, NC then headed back north into NC. I'm up to 32 total now.
Holy Cow, there are many villes here, I think it originates from village. There are just as many boro's. Hope, you had a nice trip.
By golly, Adam, it appears we just missed you by less than 10 miles as we roared by twice on 74. I remember Shelby and Gastonia. What on Earth do you people do with all those trees that block the view of the real scenery? Our turnaround point was Locust. Circled around the south side of Charlotte while headed east and around the north side while headed west. I had passed through roughly the same area 39 years ago while driving from Wilmington via Charlotte, Asheville and Knoxville before heading towards Lexington, KY.
Holy Cow, post: 379969, member: 50 wrote: By golly, Adam, it appears we just missed you by less than 10 miles as we roared by twice on 74. I remember Shelby and Gastonia. What on Earth do you people do with all those trees that block the view of the real scenery? Our turnaround point was Locust. Circled around the south side of Charlotte while headed east and around the north side while headed west. I had passed through roughly the same area 39 years ago while driving from Wilmington via Charlotte, Asheville and Knoxville before heading towards Lexington, KY.
Did you by any chance go back by the West Ky Parkway and I-69?
We slid down from Paducah and across just north of the two big lakes (Kentucky and Barkley) on both trips. Thought of you as we passed through Eddyville. Saw a survey crew working on a highway project a quarter mile west of the Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway and another crew west of there a few miles not far from Four Rivers Harley Davidson.
Except for an hour or so of chatting in Locust, NC with the owner of the secretary now in my house we didn't do hardly anything but roll down the highway. Put in about 2000 miles between 5 Thursday morning and 7 Saturday evening.
We went through St. Louis and Paducah on the way down and Paducah, Wickliffe and Sikeston on the way back. Those are two mighty big bridges between Wickliffe and Sikeston.
Holy Cow, post: 379974, member: 50 wrote: We slid down from Paducah and across just north of the two big lakes (Kentucky and Barkley) on both trips. Thought of you as we passed through Eddyville. Saw a survey crew working on a highway project a quarter mile west of the Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway and another crew west of there a few miles not far from Four Rivers Harley Davidson.
Except for an hour or so of chatting in Locust, NC with the owner of the secretary now in my house we didn't do hardly anything but roll down the highway. Put in about 2000 miles between 5 Thursday morning and 7 Saturday evening.
We went through St. Louis and Paducah on the way down and Paducah, Wickliffe and Sikeston on the way back. Those are two mighty big bridges between Wickliffe and Sikeston.
The job by the speedway is mine. Probably saw the grade checkers, I built MC files for that whole thing, so very little staking. Purchase Parkway at that intersection is becoming part of I-69 so they are reconfiguring to eliminate the cloverleaf and create a full speed exit off I-24. Also working on one right after you got off 24 at Paducah, staking curb and gutter on that one.
One thing I missed on the trip was driving into downtown Paducah. You can't see squat from the highway. Probably should have taken a short diversion for the heck of it.
For your listening pleasure...
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And for those who like to dance...
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And the Original:
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HC, did you enjoy I-40 from Tennesee to Asheville? It follows the Pigeon River, although you rarely see the river, 'cause you have to keep your eyes on the road.
When we visit your state, we take the northern route through VA, WV, KY, IN, IL, Mo, and finally KS.
You're a flatlander, but you're higher than most of NC. Does that make you a high flatlander, a flat highlander, or just flat high?
Not only passing near Adam, you were within 3 miles of me when you passed South of Charlotte, NC.
Ed
I had a strong suspicion there would be several of you close to our racetrack. Wish we would have been able to schedule time to do some sightseeing and chatting with wonderful survey folk but the daughter's schedule dictated we had barely enough time to make the run in the first place.
That stretch of highway leaving Tennessee towards Asheville, NC is sort of fun. Mild compared to traversing the Rockies, though.
