Did you know?

by Corco on Dec 8, 2007 8:45 PM PST

that most of Idaho isn't even farmable? Too many mountains.

Central Idaho is indisputably the most beautiful place in the country if you ever cared to visit.

Idaho has more untouched wilderness than any other state in the lower 48. This is possibly the greatest state in the country.

OK, now that this is out of my system, it is good to be un-quarantined

Tweet Comment 117 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

ah...

is it already saturday night?

by marinerschas2 on Dec 8, 2007 8:48 PM PST reply actions

Even though most of Idaho isn't farmable

Almost 60 percent of all potato products originate there.

by Ben in Va on Dec 8, 2007 8:53 PM PST reply actions

Washington actually

grows more potatoes per acre than Idaho, Idaho has is just a much bigger state, so our total output is more. But a greater percentage of Washington's land has potatoes on it than Idaho

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 8, 2007 9:27 PM PST up reply actions

hmmmm

The 4th Congressional District of Washington grows more potatoes than all of Idaho. Well, it did when I worked as a Senate Page for Sid Morrison. In like 1991.

by TheEmrys on Dec 8, 2007 10:42 PM PST up reply actions

Really?

This doesn't surprise me at all it just conflicts with what I've heard before.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 8, 2007 10:47 PM PST up reply actions

Time marches on.

Well, 1991 was nearly 18 years ago. Wow, I'm old.

by TheEmrys on Dec 9, 2007 8:48 AM PST up reply actions

Can't speak for Central Idaho

but Southern Idaho is the most boring place in the country.

--Dave

Addicted to Quack SBN's Oregon Ducks Blog

by David Piper on Dec 8, 2007 8:54 PM PST reply actions

how does this compare to

the western half of north dakota

by marinerschas2 on Dec 8, 2007 8:57 PM PST up reply actions

E Colorado/W Kansas/SW Nebraska

is the absolute worst

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 8, 2007 9:25 PM PST up reply actions

North Idaho

is filled with rednecks and white supremacists.

by redwolf75 on Dec 8, 2007 9:31 PM PST up reply actions

OK

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 8, 2007 9:43 PM PST up reply actions

Too bad they had to shut their compound down

I miss the annual Hundred Hitler March.

"Goddamn Romans. Sure know how to make a ... drum room." --Matt Cameron

by JI on Dec 8, 2007 9:52 PM PST up reply actions

You don't like Denver?

When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.

by Mariner John on Dec 8, 2007 10:52 PM PST up reply actions

Denver is fine

I'm talking about 30 miles east of Denver it starts to get awful. Like Sterling and Burlington

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 8, 2007 11:08 PM PST up reply actions

Mullen, ID

is a turd of a town.

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.

by wadswerth on Dec 8, 2007 9:34 PM PST reply actions

America is

a turd of a country!1!

by redwolf75 on Dec 8, 2007 9:39 PM PST up reply actions

Your face is a turd country!!!

Hard work never killed nobody, but I won't take my chances.

by JAH on Dec 8, 2007 10:24 PM PST up reply actions

Speaking of off-topic

Mike Rowe on QVC = Comedy Gold

When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade.

by Mariner John on Dec 9, 2007 1:14 AM PST reply actions

The only way I'd be interested in Idaho is if Red firebombed the entire state using only a crop duster and about a dozen or so Molotov cocktails containing fuel-soaked shreds of game-worn Ho-Ram jerseys.

Make it happen, Red.

by JoeyJoJoJuniorShabadoo on Dec 9, 2007 2:03 AM PST reply actions

Some parts of Idaho are actually quite beautiful.

But nothing I have seen anywhere in this country (and I've been everywhere but the Northeast) can touch Denali National Park. The Olympia Peninsula is also pretty amazing.

--aaron c.

by Aaron Campeau on Dec 9, 2007 2:50 AM PST reply actions

Yosemite is pretty nice

The valley gets overrun with people, but the northern part of the park and back country are really pretty.

by MrIncognito @ Lookout Landing on Dec 9, 2007 8:18 AM PST up reply actions

Dude... hush your mouth

Don't tell people about the Olympic Peninsula... let all the Seattlites keep hiking in the Cascades thinking that they are seeing wilderness. If people start going to the Olympics they'll be ruined.

by johnbai on Dec 9, 2007 11:13 AM PST up reply actions

The Olympic Peninsula IS really cool

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 11:41 AM PST up reply actions

As an avid hiker,

I must testify that the Cascades is by far a more beautiful place -- especially the Alpine Lakes region.

The Olympics is to rocky, pussy sized mountains, and devoid of life in comparison to the Cascades.

by redwolf75 on Dec 9, 2007 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

In my opinion

It is north cascades and olympics are equally good. The rest of the cascades aren't worth it.

by Edgar for Pres on Dec 9, 2007 4:57 PM PST up reply actions

No, everyone

Hike the Olympics! That way I won't get called out to rescue your collective asses when you get lost/injured. Don't do the Cascades!

by Graham MacAree on Dec 9, 2007 12:06 PM PST up reply actions

they call you out all the way from England?

seems inefficient.

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 12:14 PM PST up reply actions

Only when they're really desperate

I'm glad I'm not in the States right now, though. There've been a metric assload of avalanche missions this week and those are always horrible.

by Graham MacAree on Dec 9, 2007 12:17 PM PST up reply actions

How many American assloads

are there to a metric assload?

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 12:41 PM PST up reply actions

14.5618

Weird conversions - you folk should start using decimal!

by Graham MacAree on Dec 9, 2007 12:46 PM PST up reply actions

You guys should switch back

Don't forget you invented our measurement system. Then you switched to some German bullshit.

That's your fault.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 1:48 PM PST up reply actions

Oh, even worse

The Metric system was invented in FRANCE.

You switched from a good British system to some stupid FRENCH bullshit.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 1:49 PM PST up reply actions

The metric system rocks.

We're retarded.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 2:02 PM PST up reply actions

It's a neat gimmick

but it's still some French bullshit that will be outdone in 20 years by a better measurement system.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 2:06 PM PST up reply actions

That's a really stupid argument

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 2:37 PM PST up reply actions

stupidest one I could think of

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 2:44 PM PST up reply actions

Also, it's such a boring system

Everything is divisible by ten? That's creative.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 2:09 PM PST up reply actions

makes it easier

by marinerschas2 on Dec 9, 2007 2:17 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah

but it has no personality!

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 2:43 PM PST up reply actions

others

Banff and Yellowstone are tremendous NPs.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is pretty awesome in the fall.

The Rockies in CO and WY

The awesome juxtaposition of going from eastern WA/OR to the Cascades in the summer. You go from desert to lush greens and lose like 25 degrees of temperature.

Montana as a whole.

Nova Scotia

Places that are boring: Kansas/Eastern CO, NM/AZ/NV/East TX, East NY, Non-coastal Maine, NJ

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 11:30 AM PST up reply actions

Montana?

Have you ever been east of say...Bozeman?

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 11:41 AM PST up reply actions

Yes, but I mixed up my states

I meant all of Wyoming, you're correct, eastern WY kinda sucks

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 11:52 AM PST up reply actions

WY is more divided in half N/S

NW/NC is beautiful, you've got Yellowstone and then like Worland (which US 16 from Buffalo to Worland is one of t he most beautiful drives you will ever take in your life in terms of scenery)

And then you've got the Black Hills in the NE corner.

South is OK from Evanston to about Rock Springs, but the rest sucks.

So yeah, I agree it is on the w hole a very pretty state.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 12:47 PM PST up reply actions

SE Wyoming

has a lot of great Oregon Trail stuff

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 4:50 PM PST up reply actions

Banff kicks ass

by Robert on Dec 9, 2007 8:26 PM PST up reply actions

Anyone in the mood to discuss Southwestern CT?

by Last Fan Of Jose Lopez on Dec 9, 2007 11:28 AM PST reply actions

Stamford/Bridgeport area?

Not familiar with it. Only spent time in central CT (Bristol to Hartford area) and eastern CT (plainfield/brooklyn)

I've heard SW CT is expensive and basically a NYC suburb.

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 11:33 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah pretty much

But you mentioned Bridgeport and expensive in the same post. I'm pretty sure you could buy a mansion in Bridgeport for some tube socks and french fries.

by Last Fan Of Jose Lopez on Dec 9, 2007 11:41 AM PST up reply actions

really? slum area?

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

It's all relative

For being in SW CT, it is. Some might call what I said an "exaggeration", but some also don't think that Connecticut is the largest state in the union.

by Last Fan Of Jose Lopez on Dec 9, 2007 12:03 PM PST up reply actions

I'm no fan of CT

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 12:13 PM PST up reply actions

Connecticut blows

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 1:25 PM PST up reply actions

Stop right there or I'll become the Corco of CT

Did I mention the Connecticutian highways?

P.S. Connecticutian, real word or not, is by far the coolest adjective form of a state ever. (Con-net-i-kyoo-shun)

by Last Fan Of Jose Lopez on Dec 9, 2007 2:26 PM PST up reply actions

I'll amend my statement

Everything around Hartford blows.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 2:37 PM PST up reply actions

East CT sucks too

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 4:48 PM PST up reply actions

Never went

Whenever I had the chance to escape the suckhole of Hartford, I went for the guaranteed nonsuckage of Boston.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 4:58 PM PST up reply actions

You sir are boring

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 5:00 PM PST up reply actions

Says Idaho boy

by Graham MacAree on Dec 9, 2007 5:02 PM PST up reply actions

I'm well travelled

and have been to every corner of Washington in 1.5 years. Jeff had 4 years to see all of CONNECTICUT which is about as big as King and Pierce Counties.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 5:12 PM PST up reply actions

Seeing your whole state

!= 'well travelled'

by Graham MacAree on Dec 9, 2007 5:14 PM PST up reply actions

I've been to 38 States

and 4 other countries.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 5:31 PM PST up reply actions

4 whole countries?

Man, you're really stretching it, aren't you?

by Graham MacAree on Dec 10, 2007 12:54 AM PST up reply actions

Ask me where I've been in Europe

and where Devin and I are going to go next.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 5:06 PM PST up reply actions

In 4 years of college

you never even made it all the way around your tiny state.

That's pathetic.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 5:11 PM PST up reply actions

I'm sorry

but I wasn't in any particular hurry to travel two hours out of my way to see more privileged white people.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 5:13 PM PST up reply actions

How do you know?

You've never seen it for yourself. And for the rest of your life you'll have to tell your kids that although you lived there for 4 years you've NEVER SEEN ALL OF CONNECTICUT

and they will look at you with shame

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 5:32 PM PST up reply actions

I have friends around Connecticut.

I talk to them.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 6:02 PM PST up reply actions

Ask you friends

how many shared center lanes there are in the state of Connecticut.

If they can answer that (and I do know the answer), then they are worthy of being extra eyes for you.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 6:29 PM PST up reply actions

Nobody cares about that rubbish.

I don't visit places to see freeways.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 7:04 PM PST up reply actions

Those are actually regular surface streets

And I hate freeways too. They've destroyed the fun of travel.

And plenty of people do. And if you have friends who have truly seen all of Connecticut they would have noticed that there is only ONE shared turn lane in all of Connecticut.

That's right...one suicide lane. Even someone not paying attention would have noticed that.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 7:42 PM PST up reply actions

do they believe in the

jughandle, or the michigan left ?

by marinerschas2 on Dec 9, 2007 7:44 PM PST up reply actions

No Michigan lefts

but I think there are a few jughandles

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 7:46 PM PST up reply actions

4 jughandles in Connecticut

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 7:48 PM PST up reply actions

I have normal friends

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 7:47 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah

so do I.

But you'd notice something like that just by default. If you drove 100 miles and the pavement markings were purple instead of yellow/white, you'd notice. Likewise, something that is taken so for granted everywhere else exists in exactly one place in Connecticut. I have a feeling they'd notice if they were really paying close enough attention to the state to tell you what is going on in W Connecticut

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 7:50 PM PST up reply actions

I spent 2 years in CT

I never noticed it.

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 7:53 PM PST up reply actions

Then you are not paying close enough attention

when you go places

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 7:54 PM PST up reply actions

or the rest of us

don't give a shit about middle turn lanes

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 8:02 PM PST up reply actions

I just think

that if you were driving around for 2 years in Connecticut, not getting into a turn lane that when you finally did get into a turn lane you would have realized "Gosh, I haven't done this for a while"

and then made that connection.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 8:03 PM PST up reply actions

nope

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 8:07 PM PST up reply actions

So are you an inattentive driver?

To put another way:

You're driving down a long, straight, flat road. It's been two lanes for about 200 miles. Out of nowhere the road widens out to 4 lanes. Do you notice this? Do you realize it has been 200 miles since the last 4 lane road?

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 8:09 PM PST up reply actions

so hard to

read. arrrgghhh

by marinerschas2 on Dec 9, 2007 8:11 PM PST up reply actions

bad analogy

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 8:14 PM PST up reply actions

No

It's not at all.

Same thing happens, you've been driving for a long time in condition X and suddenly condition X changes. You either notice the change or you don't.

You are an inattentive driver.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 8:17 PM PST up reply actions

does matthew even own a car?

attentive driving probably isn't on his high priority day to day life list.

by marinerschas2 on Dec 9, 2007 8:21 PM PST up reply actions

Now if he doesn't own a car

or didn't in Connecticut, then it is reasonably that he did not know.

I assumed that when I said "driving" that meant driving.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 8:24 PM PST up reply actions

This is a really weird discussion

I couldn't tell you shit about California roads and this is where I've done all of my driving.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 7:54 PM PST up reply actions

You could if it were something weird

For instance if I said

"How many stoplights are in San Diego"

that would be a ridiculous question.

If I said:
"What is the route number for the MLKJR freeway"

that would be expected knowledge

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 7:56 PM PST up reply actions

its a good thing

that everyone has different standards

by marinerschas2 on Dec 9, 2007 7:58 PM PST up reply actions

The world would be

incredibly boring if this were not the case

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 8:00 PM PST up reply actions

For the record

this sole suicide lane was found TODAY by roadgeeks. It shall live as a day in infamy.

Read about it at misc.transport.road

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 7:53 PM PST up reply actions

usenet???

really???

by marinerschas2 on Dec 9, 2007 7:54 PM PST up reply actions

really

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 7:54 PM PST up reply actions

Come to England

I'll buy the beer

by Graham MacAree on Dec 9, 2007 5:14 PM PST up reply actions

You're there until July?

There's a chance.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 9, 2007 5:16 PM PST up reply actions

Damn you and your better vacations than I

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 5:26 PM PST up reply actions

I get to go to Georgia

and Ohio/West Virginia next summer.

And you don't. Haha.

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 5:39 PM PST up reply actions

Haha is right

by Graham MacAree on Dec 10, 2007 1:26 AM PST up reply actions

There is absolutely no reason to

like I said, it blows.

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 5:20 PM PST up reply actions

Idaho is where they traditionally sent beer ...

that wasn't fit for Oregon - stuff that's worse than an old B/W.

by Steve Nelson on Dec 9, 2007 6:46 PM PST reply actions

and so my taste buds are attoned to bad beer

so I save money.

I don't see how this is a bad thing

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 6:47 PM PST up reply actions

Your tastebuds beg to differ.

Jose Vidro (DH - Ms) was arrested today in an Idaho Bathroom for having a wide stance and sucking.

by CapSea on Dec 9, 2007 7:54 PM PST up reply actions

maybe his tastebuds use the theory:

the less you know, the better it is

by marinerschas2 on Dec 9, 2007 8:14 PM PST up reply actions

yes I own a car

here's why your analogy is bad: a dedicated turn lane isn't something you make use of 100% of the time you are driving and places that lack a turn lane usually have something like raised medians (like they have all over CT) that prevent you from turning cross lanes anyways.

This is completely different from a road going from 2 lanes to 4 or something that bares immediate impact on your driving condition.

In my opinion, a better analogy is asking how many intersections with a dedicated green arrow in the left turn lane rather than the solid green-yield to oncoming traffic there are in your neighborhood. That is something much more akin to making use a middle turn lane.

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 8:31 PM PST reply actions

my bad on the car part

sorry that i assumed otherwise

by marinerschas2 on Dec 9, 2007 8:35 PM PST up reply actions

no need to apologize

I walk pretty much everywhere now a days (and have mentioned that), but I do still own a car.

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 8:38 PM PST up reply actions

</preemptive horizontal comment strike>

Jose Vidro (DH - Ms) was arrested today in an Idaho Bathroom for having a wide stance and sucking.

by CapSea on Dec 9, 2007 8:38 PM PST up reply actions

Interesting

My analogy could have been better.

Still, if you noted all the raised medians it seems like you should have noted the lack of center turn lanes

Washington Highways

by Corco on Dec 9, 2007 8:39 PM PST up reply actions

Did I notice that there wasn't a turn lane?

Yes.

But since it's not something you make use of all that often when driving, I don't find it at all unusual to never stop and actually consider if there were any turn lanes at all.

I noticed there were raised medians, but I have no idea how many roads do or do not have raised medians in CT.

These events are just not remarkable so there's no way for my memory to be sure the last time I did use a middle turn lane when I finally used one again after CT. I don't think (m)any people consciously note that stuff for certainty.

by Matthew on Dec 9, 2007 8:43 PM PST up reply actions