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Anyone can play the selective imagery game, and anyone who has traveled the Midwest extensively knows that the Illinois you selectively present is found in small pockets scattered among otherwise endless miles of corn, soybeans and billiard-table-flat terrain. That's what makes Michigan (and Minnesota and much of Wisconsin) so much more appealing, especially the further north you go: you don't have to "get off the highway" to seek out the scenic parts -- the scenic parts are all around you as you drive from one attraction to the next.
Anyone can play the selective imagery game, and anyone who has traveled the Midwest extensively knows that the Illinois you selectively present is found in small pockets scattered among otherwise endless miles of corn, soybeans and billiard-table-flat terrain. That's what makes Michigan (and Minnesota and much of Wisconsin) so much more appealing, especially the further north you go: you don't have to "get off the highway" to seek out the scenic parts -- the scenic parts are all around you as you drive from one attraction to the next.
Selective imagery or not, IL has several very scenic areas, which I illustrated. Ill agree that most of the interior IL plains is just that... plain! And sadly thats what most people see when they cruise through IL on the highways. Most people, as evident by their posts, leave IL with a bad taste in their mouths, and I wanted to show that if you get off the highways, there is very nice scenery to be found in all areas of the state, if you know where to look. And for the record, many areas of WI, MN and MI are also table-top flat! To show photos of their scenic areas would also be considered "selective imagery", too, cause Lord knows not all of MN, WI, and MI are hilly with waterfalls and amazing beaches.
This question really depends whether you prefer urban areas or rural areas. Illinois' biggest city, Chicago, is among the most vibrant and interesting in the United States. Michigan's largest city, Detroit, is among the most rundown, dangerous, and depressing in the United States. Illinois' scenery and life outside the Chicago metropolitan area is pretty uninspiring. Michigan's greatest parts are as far away from Detroit as possible, and the Upper Peninsula is gorgeous.
As someone who greatly prefers rural over urban areas, I would take Michigan in a heartbeat.
It's obvious the reason why Illinois is winning is because most people are obsessed with Chicago and associate all of Michigan with Detroit.
Selective imagery or not, IL has several very scenic areas, which I illustrated. Ill agree that most of the interior IL plains is just that... plain! And sadly thats what most people see when they cruise through IL on the highways. Most people, as evident by their posts, leave IL with a bad taste in their mouths, and I wanted to show that if you get off the highways, there is very nice scenery to be found in all areas of the state, if you know where to look. And for the record, many areas of WI, MN and MI are also table-top flat! To show photos of their scenic areas would also be considered "selective imagery", too, cause Lord knows not all of MN, WI, and MI are hilly with waterfalls and amazing beaches.
The point is, you don't have to be nearly as selective about the imagery found in Michigan. Let's put aside our biases long enough and be honest enough to admit that much.
Tough one. But from a state standpoint, I'd have to go with Michigan over Illinois because I like the scenery and the state better (even though I'm a Chicagoan). Although I doubt I'll be moving to Michigan anytime soon, or ever.
Steve-O is right, there are some stunning places in IL, everybody else is also correct that you do have to get off the beaten path to find them there, while you don't have to leave the freeways to find them in MI.
I chose MI because I have traveled all over the US and spent years outside of Michigan living and exploring other states. MI keeps pulling me back, because for me personally, there isn't another State that offers so much of what I need and want out of life. Some are higher pay, others have scenery that is on a grander scale, most have one or two things I like, Michigan has them all, just maybe not as big or grand as different place.
Location: Oklahoma(formerly SoCalif) Originally Mich,
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve-o
Selective imagery or not, IL has several very scenic areas, which I illustrated. Ill agree that most of the interior IL plains is just that... plain! And sadly thats what most people see when they cruise through IL on the highways. Most people, as evident by their posts, leave IL with a bad taste in their mouths, and I wanted to show that if you get off the highways, there is very nice scenery to be found in all areas of the state,
Quote:
if you know where to look.
And for the record, many areas of WI, MN and MI are also table-top flat! To show photos of their scenic areas would also be considered "selective imagery", too, cause Lord knows not all of MN, WI, and MI are hilly with waterfalls and amazing beaches.
There's need to look in Michigan, the scenery comes to you or it's right there.
Each season has it's own unique beauty.
But Illinois wouldn't be on the top of my list for ugly states.
Location: Oklahoma(formerly SoCalif) Originally Mich,
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I enjoy farm scenery. Oklahoma has plenty of that. I have nothing against illinois "per se", but what I don't like about it goes for alot of other states too. I don't like Chicago, but then again, I don't like Detroit,Mi. New Orleans,La. Houston,Tx. Oklahoma City,Ok. St,Luis,Mo. Denver,Co. and I can't stand Los Angeles,Ca.
Everyone has their own reasons for not liking places or things. By now most have figured out that I just DO NOT like Big Cities. I was raised on a dairy farm in Mi. I've been to the cities I mentioned and many more. I don't dislike any of the states those big cities are in. I've lived in a number of them for a short time. Each state has it's own secret beauty unique from any of the others and most of them are well known for just that.
Last edited by mkfarnam; 12-13-2009 at 09:23 AM..
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