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re: Does Anyone Else Get Freaked Out By The High Plains And Certain Deserts Here In The U.S.?
Posted on 9/6/26 at 9:09 pm to TheLSUDynasty
Posted on 9/6/26 at 9:09 pm to TheLSUDynasty
No, but I’m not a pussy
0
Posted on 9/6/26 at 10:10 pm to TheLSUDynasty
In general, no.
The only two places out west that really made me think twice when driving were crossing the Continental Divide in New Mexico where the cross winds can be really strong and have pushed vehicles off the road, and going down the backside of the Front Range west of Denver on 70 because that's about the steepest grade of a descent I've ever done.
I really doubt anyone from out there would get claustrophobic from driving in the wooded areas of the south.
The only two places out west that really made me think twice when driving were crossing the Continental Divide in New Mexico where the cross winds can be really strong and have pushed vehicles off the road, and going down the backside of the Front Range west of Denver on 70 because that's about the steepest grade of a descent I've ever done.
I really doubt anyone from out there would get claustrophobic from driving in the wooded areas of the south.
Posted on 9/6/26 at 10:14 pm to TheLSUDynasty
Driving out west toward north rim of Grand Canyon, one of the routes dumps you in this high desert basin with buttes/mesas surrounding as far as the eye can see. It feels like you're in this massive bowl and very isolated. Recommend paying cash to fuel up at the only Indian gas station regardless of tank level.
My sister hated it, I loved it. Love those wide open landscapes.
My sister hated it, I loved it. Love those wide open landscapes.
Posted on 9/6/26 at 10:16 pm to TheLSUDynasty
quote:
That was crazy to me as well. Literally 13 - 15 miles outside of downtown Denver and you are in the Colorado plains and it's crazy isolated. It doesn't take long at all.
Most people don't realize that (the east) half of Colorado = Kansas
Posted on 9/6/26 at 10:43 pm to TheLSUDynasty
Wide open spaces do freak me out. They make me feel like I'm not really tethered to the ground. Like gravity is going to disappear and I'll start floating. Sometimes even driving past cane fields in south Louisiana will make me feel this.
Posted on 9/6/26 at 10:58 pm to TheLSUDynasty
It’s a pretty weird experience. Doesn’t freak me out, but it definitely makes you feel a little smaller than driving back East.
Posted on 9/6/26 at 11:05 pm to TheLSUDynasty
When I’m in those areas, it concerns me that there is no shade in sight. Break down and fry in the sun.
I also think about how hard it was for the Indians and early European explorers to cross that kind of country. Sand and no water for miles and miles.
I also think about how hard it was for the Indians and early European explorers to cross that kind of country. Sand and no water for miles and miles.
Posted on 9/6/26 at 11:20 pm to TheLSUDynasty
I haven't done much driving in the middle of the country where you run those long, flat straights across the plains and shite. Been up and down the East and West coasts. Driven the Midwest and most of the South. Done a bunch of the Northeast and up into Ontario. I'm driving the Florida swamp, Miami and Key West here soon with MINI Takes The States. It would be too much temptation out on the plains to just Cannonball whatever I'm driving. I would think the cops patrol it pretty extensively.
ETA: I really want to do the drive from Los Angeles over the mountains to Tahoe with some Steely Dan on the stereo.
ETA: I really want to do the drive from Los Angeles over the mountains to Tahoe with some Steely Dan on the stereo.
This post was edited on 9/6/26 at 11:28 pm
Posted on 9/6/26 at 11:33 pm to TheLSUDynasty
Feel the same way. We've made a drive across west Texas to northern new Mexico a few times recently. I'm slowly getting used to it. The first time i was freaked out by the 'nothing' in every direction as far as you could see. Thought we're dead if we break down. The more i drive it the more I appreciate how beautiful it all is actually. A Louisiana boy takes time to adjust to the change
This post was edited on 9/6/26 at 11:35 pm
Posted on 9/7/26 at 12:23 am to TheLSUDynasty
quote:It comes down to perspective and familiarity. Having lived most of my life in the west, I find huge, open skies invigorating. The sky and mountains put my own importance into perspective, which I find peaceful.
I could also see the reverse. If you are used to the desert and the high plains, I could see driving in the south as being somewhat claustrophobic with all the tall pine trees.
As for the reverse, I don’t find driving back east claustrophobic, but while the eastern half of the country has plenty of beautiful scenery, my impression from the interstates is most often just miles of tree lines on either side.
Posted on 9/7/26 at 12:37 am to TheLSUDynasty
Only the ones with alien bases underground
Posted on 9/7/26 at 3:16 am to TheLSUDynasty
quote:
Anyone else ever had that type of experience driving across wide expansive areas of the country?
I always liked it when we drove into west Texas towards Colorado and the road would get hilly and the mesas started appearing on the horizon.
Posted on 9/7/26 at 3:43 am to TheLSUDynasty
If youre off the interstates you can roll up on vehicles parked in the middle of the road with two old baws just shooting the shite. Might as well, nobody else is likely to be coming that way in the next hour or two.
Heading from Lander up into the Wind River Range one time we came up on a little bunch of cattle being moved along the road by a couple of blonde cowgirls, probably sisters. They proceeded to show off on their horses while pretending to ignore us. Really funny and cool.
Heading from Lander up into the Wind River Range one time we came up on a little bunch of cattle being moved along the road by a couple of blonde cowgirls, probably sisters. They proceeded to show off on their horses while pretending to ignore us. Really funny and cool.
Posted on 9/7/26 at 4:18 am to TheLSUDynasty
An interesting fact is the state of Wyoming has - or has had - the highest suicide rate in America several times. It’s a high plains state with average elevation of 6,700 feet. Highest average daily wind speed of any state at 21.5 mph. It is common to have 40 mph winds in winter. Not sure why I know this and sorry for the morbid twist but interesting to me.
Posted on 9/7/26 at 4:55 am to auggie
quote:
dumping rain maybe 30 miles away.
That's the formula for a flash flood in these parts of the country.
Posted on 9/7/26 at 5:26 am to TheLSUDynasty
quote:
Does Anyone Else Get Freaked Out By The High Plains And Certain Deserts Here In The U.S.?
I feel right at home.
Posted on 9/7/26 at 5:35 am to Twenty 49
quote:
I also think about how hard it was for the Indians and early European explorers to cross that kind of country. Sand and no water for miles and miles.
I do this almost daily. You look out and think what the hell about this area is so appealing that I’d want to settle here. But it is beautiful and almost no mosquitoes, so perhaps that’s it.
Posted on 9/7/26 at 5:43 am to FLObserver
quote:
That's the formula for a flash flood in these parts of the country.
That's true and is always happening around a storm like that, in the ravines and small creeks canyons draining the storm area.
When I can see it like that across the flat desert though, I don't worry about it, because I am on higher safe ground. If I were down in a low place and couldn't see that when it's happening, then I might have a problem.
Posted on 9/7/26 at 5:52 am to KingOfTheWorld
quote:
An interesting fact is the state of Wyoming has - or has had - the highest suicide rate in America several times. It’s a high plains state with average elevation of 6,700 feet. Highest average daily wind speed of any state at 21.5 mph. It is common to have 40 mph winds in winter. Not sure why I know this and sorry for the morbid twist but interesting to me.
Coldest I have ever felt was at Rock Springs, Wy. I think it was -15 degrees and the wind was like 40 miles per hour. Glad I didn't have to be out in it long.
Posted on 9/7/26 at 6:09 am to TheLSUDynasty
Your ancestors likely stormed fortified defenses, yet here you are terrified of driving in the desert.
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