"The Buckeye State"

Welcome to Ohio

Ohio/Indiana border on I-70
July 9, 2005

As a graduate of the University of Michigan, I am always nervous entering the Buckeye state, as it seems the entire population of Ohio hates people from Michigan, especially U-M alums. I think it's interesting that all three major cities (Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland) all begin with the same letter, but that kind of stuff is interesting to me. Ohio seems to be the most densely populated midwestern state, as there are good-sized towns throughout the state (except in the southeast corner, where there is a whole lot of nothing between Akron and the West Virginia border).

I had never traveled on I-70 before, so I wasn't sure what to expect on the Ohio/Indiana border. Whenever I've traveled to Ohio previously, I always take US-23, which heads south from Ann Arbor through Toledo on its way to Columbus. So I figured the sign would be in the median like it is on the Michigan border. Well, I was right- kind of. As you can see, the welcome sign forms somewhat of a gateway arch over the freeway and appears nothing like the one on US-23. I knew the best vantage point would be from my car, so I decided not to pull off the road like I normally do and just snap a picture from the car. Fortunately, I managed to grab this "other" welcome sign (see right), at the official state line, about 1/4 mile west of the big sign. I guess I never understood why states can't have the big signs on the actual state line.

Welcome to Columbus

July 9, 2005

I never liked traveling to Columbus before, since it is the "Lions' Den" of hatred for Michigan fans and home to our rivals from Ohio State, the Buckeyes. But I never traveled over to downtown Columbus before, and I was really surprised. It was a very nice city and the people were friendly, with a dense downtown area I didn't even know existed. I've never understood why Columbus plays second-fiddle to Cincinnati and Cleveland despite having the largest population of the three. My trip was something of a revelation and I have more respect for the city of Columbus itself, but I doubt I will ever fully embrace it as long as it is home to the Buckeyes.

I apologize for the shadows, but it was late afternoon by the time I arrived and I wanted to get a picture from the front, and this was the best I could do. I really liked how the capitol was situated in the middle of downtown, but didn't seem very large from the outside. There was a prominent statue of the city's namesake on the grounds and aside from President William McKinley in front of the capitol, there were no other statues on the grounds. Another thing that was interesting is the rotunda. I know the Ohio capitol is famous for its "hatbox dome," but it looks like the dome wasn't even completed! Just because something is unique doesn't make it aesthetically pleasing.

Miscellaneous Ohio Symbols

State Route Sign

License Plate

Seal

Quarter