I don’t understand the demographic shortages in those New England states so much because I haven’t been there.
I HAVE been to Wyoming a few times, however, and it was all I could do to keep my scarf on my head and my hand on the gas pump – in the middle of Rock Springs in the SUMMER. The wind there blows s-o-o-o hard. The two-lane state hwys are open 2-3 mos. year. If you are on one of them, don’t be in a hurry. You may have to wait for than 20 mins. for an entire herd of sheep, buffalo or cattle to mosey across. They have the right-of-way.
I recommend traveling with wool blankets, flashlights, flares, batt charger, down sleeping bags, etc. during the winter, as well as a CB antenna. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position to be driving I-80 thru there in the dead of winter, the MOST IMPORTANT RULE you MUST adhere to is . . . Whoever is biggest WINS, period. Those triple tractor-trailers roaring thru there have chains on at least 20 out of their 26+ wheels and when they come up behind or alongside your passenger vehicle, pull WAY OVER on the shoulder and let them HAVE THEIR WAY! Use your rug, rock salt/sand and shovel (and your passengers pushing) to get your veh. back onto the road. You won’t sink in a ditch because the snow is compacted and piled up to 25 feet high on the sides of the road by plows, propped up by several rows of 10′ high “snow-fences” (to keep the wild goat and bighorn sheep off the road).
Just one single loose chain flying off those trucks could hit your veh. windows and kill you or one or more of your passengers. Just ONE granny gear slipping or brake failure and . . . your veh. is HISTORY (as well as everyone inside). STAY AWAY!! 2nd RULE, if you can no longer SEE see the difference bet. your veh, the road and the sky, exit the hwy as soon as you see some civilization. Don’t expect your cell phone to work everywhere. Tune your CB radio to the hwy patrol-band. Have your passenger(s) looking for you b/c the road signs will be covered with snow. Do not be picky – there are no Sheraton’s around there. Check into a no-tell motel and wait out the storm. Follow a plow back up the hwy ramp the next morning.
Now, if you were a kid attending Wyoming’s ONE big university in Laramie ONLY because it was “in-state,” how fast do you think it would take you to leave the state upon graduating with a degree?? It’s a different life there, IMO, certainly not for the faint of heart.
Sr. citizens are drawn to WY, MT and NM BECAUSE they are wild, woolly and “serene.” They don’t have to get up every morning and go to work so they don’t care about the road conditions. They can also keep freezers full of venison and buffalo in their garages and survive a l-o-o-o-ng time, with occasional trips to the local A&G Food Mart and diner or truck stop to have coffee with their friends (when the roads are clear).
