Because I'm having so much fun with the "worst county" thread, why not give this a try as well?
For New York in terms of scenery I'd go Hamilton or Essex, in terms of overall diversity it's really tough to pick, with a lot of good candidates.
(A quick search didn't reveal that this has been done before; if there is a past thread and I missed it, then please feel free to merge.)
I feel like Lake Michigan is too nice a feature to not pick one of the three Indiana counties that have shoreline, and of those three, Porter is likely a consensus to be the best.
Brown County deserves honorable mention for the scenery, and Marion County for having a lot to offer while not having the same volume of downside as most large cities.
Mono County is really hard to beat in terms of what we have in California. Lots of great outdoor oriented destinations in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Inyo County is right up there too for pretty much the same reasons. Some of my other favorites include; Sierra, Alpine, Mariposa, and Humboldt. Having cool places to go, fun roads to drive, and a lack of people are all high priorities for me.
For Michigan I'm going with Keweenaw. It's peaceful and remote and includes Isle Royale as well as Copper Harbor. It was my favorite Michigan county when I was finishing up the state earlier this year. Other Michigan counties that are up there are Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Emmet and Charlevoix.
Cook is my favorite Minnesota county, the most pristine Superior shoreline in the state all but free of the grunge of Duluth and the other shoreline cities.
The caveat though, it has next to nothing for extra amenities. Need a new computer? Want to see a movie? Gotta go the 80-110 miles to Duluth.
I've often thought about this in terms of Kentucky. I lean to Pulaski. Somerset has a lot of amenities, but the town isn't too big. There's a lot of rural area in the county, and the terrain is varied. There's flat to rolling farmland, and also mountains.
Rowan is another county I really like. Morehead is a growing town, due to the university and the interstate. It's halfway between Lexington and Ashland/Huntington, but there are a lot of rural areas away from town and the main roads. It's also the transition between the Knobs area (rolling hills) and mountains in the Appalachian foothills.
NY is the best county in NY. Economic and cultural engine of the world.
Quote from: webny99 on December 12, 2020, 06:16:01 PM
Because I'm having so much fun with the "worst county" thread, why not give this a try as well?
For New York in terms of scenery I'd go Hamilton or Essex, in terms of overall diversity it's really tough to pick, with a lot of good candidates.
(A quick search didn't reveal that this has been done before; if there is a past thread and I missed it, then please feel free to merge.)
I'd go with Essex. It has the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, half of Ausable Chasm, Whiteface Mountain, and the most scenic touring routes in the state.
And, for Star Trek fans, there's the Original Series Set Tour in Ticonderoga.
Quote from: Rothman on December 12, 2020, 10:29:14 PM
NY is the best county in NY. Economic and cultural engine of the world.
Best for everything except driving and affording a place to live, probably.
Best county to live in is probably Dane, Waukesha, Washington, or Ozaukee.
Quote from: stridentweasel on December 13, 2020, 12:49:31 AM
Quote from: Rothman on December 12, 2020, 10:29:14 PM
NY is the best county in NY. Economic and cultural engine of the world.
Best for everything except driving and affording a place to live, probably.
And for actually being a nice place to live.
Love my home county but I'm going with Berkshire.
A favorite for me to visit is Chippewa, but I can be convinced of almost any county in the UP.
I'll go Chaffee County, Colorado. A couple of cool little mountain towns (Salida, Buena Vista), lots of great scenery, not too crowded, but also not too far from Denver or the Springs.
Chris
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 13, 2020, 12:30:50 PM
Love my home county but I'm going with Berkshire.
Meh. Berkshire's got Pittsfield and North Adams. I'm going with Hampshire.
I'll have to go with Bexar County. Here's why:
Weather: Not ideal, but here you don't really have to worry about tornadoes or hurricanes like most of the rest of Texas. Plus it's not too humid, either. Yeah, it's hot, and flash flooding is a real threat, but still better than the rest of Texas.
Attractions: Here you've got SeaWorld, Six Flags, the Riverwalk, Schlitterbahn, the San Antonio Spurs, the biggest Buc-ee's in the world, and the Texas state capitol in close proximity.
History: The Alamo is located here, and many historic missions are nearby.
Location: Located relatively close to the center of Texas, from here it's a fairly reasonable drive to the Hill Country, Houston, Dallas, or the beach. Also has nice hills, especially on the NW side.
For New York, I'd go with Orleans County. I've been looking at it online a lot recently.
/me ducks for cover.
Quote from: kphoger on December 14, 2020, 02:06:10 PM
For New York, I'd go with Orleans County. I've been looking at it online a lot recently.
Yes, but:
Quote from: webny99 on December 12, 2020, 06:16:01 PM
Best County in Your State
Quote from: webny99 on December 14, 2020, 02:58:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 14, 2020, 02:06:10 PM
For New York, I'd go with Orleans County. I've been looking at it online a lot recently.
Yes, but:
Quote from: webny99 on December 12, 2020, 06:16:01 PM
Best County in Your State
I am switching mine to Orleans, then.
Quote from: Rothman on December 13, 2020, 02:58:01 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on December 13, 2020, 12:30:50 PM
Love my home county but I'm going with Berkshire.
Meh. Berkshire's got Pittsfield and North Adams. I'm going with Hampshire.
Hampshire is nice too, all the counties west of Worcester are (expect Hampdem)
Quote from: webny99 on December 14, 2020, 03:53:07 PM
Quote from: Rothman on December 14, 2020, 03:40:42 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 14, 2020, 02:58:16 PM
Yes, but:
Quote from: webny99 on December 12, 2020, 06:16:01 PM
Best County in Your State
I am switching mine to Orleans, then.
... because ...
Because it's obviously the best. Low real estate prices, still on the shore, nice and quiet, far enough away from the dump that is Rochester...the reasons abound.
I'm actually moving to New York state - Orleans County to be precise - just because it is the best county in the state.
Orleans County Block Party, to be held on April 31st, 2021, anyone?
Serious answer: I'll go with McKean County and Northumberland County for PA. McKean has Kinzua Bridge, one of my favorite state parks. It's also adjacent to Potter County, which has my favorite drive in PA (PA 44) and one of my favorite state parks (Cherry Springs - I really need to go up there for stargazing one of these days, it's a hobby I enjoy). Northumberland contains Knoebels - I like it far more than Hersheypark and I will die on this hill - and is next to everyone's favorite ghost town (Centralia, though it's in Columbia County).
For NY: Schuyler County. Watkins Glen. Game, set, match.
Quote from: noelbotevera on December 15, 2020, 12:12:30 AM
Orleans County Block Party, to be held on April 31st, 2021, anyone?
No good for me, I'm going to the Quindaro road meet–could we move it up to the 1st of that month?
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 15, 2020, 01:56:18 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on December 15, 2020, 12:12:30 AM
Orleans County Block Party, to be held on April 31st, 2021, anyone?
No good for me, I'm going to the Quindaro road meet–could we move it up to the 1st of that month?
Quindaro won't let you in if you've been out of your home state within the last 30 days*, and it isn't entirely clear if that's inclusive or exclusive.
* Note: This includes traveling outside of your home state in order to get to Quindaro. It's like a self-quarantine order in reverse.
I'm looking to relocate to New York State I was thinking of looking around the Albion area or perhaps Medina or even Lyndonville. I have heard so many great things about the county that those places are located in I'd love to live there.
Wow, it's crazy how popular the 62nd-best county in New York is. I can't even imagine how popular the other 61 are!
Quote from: webny99 on December 15, 2020, 02:32:03 PM
Wow, it's crazy how popular the 62nd-best county in New York is. I can't even imagine how popular the other 61 are!
Maybe it's actually the 61st-best county. Fulton County might be the 62nd-best.
Cost of living index (2019)
Fulton = 94.7
Orleans = 94.1
Residents below poverty line (2017)
Fulton = 15.0%
Orleans = 14.8%
Unemployment (2015)
Fulton = 5.6%
Orleans = 5.0%
Of course, Fulton County
does allow swimming at its beaches.
Oh, wait, you can go swimming in Orleans County too. Just not at the state park. Go instead to the
Green Harbor campground & marina (https://www.greenharborcampground.com/). Or heck, if you're desperate, you could even give it a go at the
Bald Eagle marina (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bald+Eagle+Marina/@43.365293,-78.031119,3a,75y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPUgJDAk7MqOtU8tadCE-M8lTunBmcS69Q3Lcf5!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPUgJDAk7MqOtU8tadCE-M8lTunBmcS69Q3Lcf5%3Dw203-h360-k-no!7i2988!8i5312!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d41b91d79ce64b:0xdf2b6a23162515d7!8m2!3d43.3652929!4d-78.031119!14m1!1BCgIgAQ).
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 04:00:03 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 15, 2020, 02:32:03 PM
Wow, it's crazy how popular the 62nd-best county in New York is. I can't even imagine how popular the other 61 are!
Maybe it's actually the 61st-best county. Fulton County might be the 62nd-best.
Cost of living index (2019)
Fulton = 94.7
Orleans = 94.1
Residents below poverty line (2017)
Fulton = 15.0%
Orleans = 14.8%
Unemployment (2015)
Fulton = 5.6%
Orleans = 5.0%
Of course, Fulton County does allow swimming at its beaches.
Oh, wait, you can go swimming in Orleans County too. Just not at the state park. Go instead to the Green Harbor campground & marina (https://www.greenharborcampground.com/). Or heck, if you're desperate, you could even give it a go at the Bald Eagle marina (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bald+Eagle+Marina/@43.365293,-78.031119,3a,75y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPUgJDAk7MqOtU8tadCE-M8lTunBmcS69Q3Lcf5!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPUgJDAk7MqOtU8tadCE-M8lTunBmcS69Q3Lcf5%3Dw203-h360-k-no!7i2988!8i5312!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d41b91d79ce64b:0xdf2b6a23162515d7!8m2!3d43.3652929!4d-78.031119!14m1!1BCgIgAQ).
Fulton County has Adirondack Mountains scenery.
Quote from: 1 on December 15, 2020, 04:34:21 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 04:00:03 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 15, 2020, 02:32:03 PM
Wow, it's crazy how popular the 62nd-best county in New York is. I can't even imagine how popular the other 61 are!
Maybe it's actually the 61st-best county. Fulton County might be the 62nd-best.
Cost of living index (2019)
Fulton = 94.7
Orleans = 94.1
Residents below poverty line (2017)
Fulton = 15.0%
Orleans = 14.8%
Unemployment (2015)
Fulton = 5.6%
Orleans = 5.0%
Of course, Fulton County does allow swimming at its beaches.
Oh, wait, you can go swimming in Orleans County too. Just not at the state park. Go instead to the Green Harbor campground & marina (https://www.greenharborcampground.com/). Or heck, if you're desperate, you could even give it a go at the Bald Eagle marina (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bald+Eagle+Marina/@43.365293,-78.031119,3a,75y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPUgJDAk7MqOtU8tadCE-M8lTunBmcS69Q3Lcf5!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPUgJDAk7MqOtU8tadCE-M8lTunBmcS69Q3Lcf5%3Dw203-h360-k-no!7i2988!8i5312!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d41b91d79ce64b:0xdf2b6a23162515d7!8m2!3d43.3652929!4d-78.031119!14m1!1BCgIgAQ).
Fulton County has Adirondack Mountains scenery.
True, the OP mentioned scenery specifically.
I counter, then, that he also mentioned diversity. Fulton County is 90.2% white (2017), whereas Orleans County is only 80.5% white. :-P
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 04:00:03 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 15, 2020, 02:32:03 PM
Wow, it's crazy how popular the 62nd-best county in New York is. I can't even imagine how popular the other 61 are!
Maybe it's actually the 61st-best county. Fulton County might be the 62nd-best.
Cost of living index (2019)
Fulton = 94.7
Orleans = 94.1
Residents below poverty line (2017)
Fulton = 15.0%
Orleans = 14.8%
Unemployment (2015)
Fulton = 5.6%
Orleans = 5.0%
Of course, Fulton County does allow swimming at its beaches.
Oh, wait, you can go swimming in Orleans County too. Just not at the state park. Go instead to the Green Harbor campground & marina (https://www.greenharborcampground.com/). Or heck, if you're desperate, you could even give it a go at the Bald Eagle marina (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bald+Eagle+Marina/@43.365293,-78.031119,3a,75y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPUgJDAk7MqOtU8tadCE-M8lTunBmcS69Q3Lcf5!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPUgJDAk7MqOtU8tadCE-M8lTunBmcS69Q3Lcf5%3Dw203-h360-k-no!7i2988!8i5312!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d41b91d79ce64b:0xdf2b6a23162515d7!8m2!3d43.3652929!4d-78.031119!14m1!1BCgIgAQ).
Does anything at Lakeside Beach State Park even resemble a sand beach? If you look at the Google Satellite View it looks like there's trees right up to the shoreline then it looks like a bunch of rocks. This is what I'm talking about: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3689531,-78.2358664,71m/data=!3m1!1e3
Quote from: Flint1979 on December 15, 2020, 05:51:21 PM
Does anything at Lakeside Beach State Park even resemble a sand beach? If you look at the Google Satellite View it looks like there's trees right up to the shoreline then it looks like a bunch of rocks. This is what I'm talking about: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3689531,-78.2358664,71m/data=!3m1!1e3
Yes. Pan to the west, and you can see the sandy beach. You can find pictures of people swimming there (I found some), but doing so appears to be against park rules.
(Swimming, that is, not finding pictures of swimming. It isn't Alan County, after all.)
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 04:40:35 PM
Quote from: 1 on December 15, 2020, 04:34:21 PM
Fulton County has Adirondack Mountains scenery.
True, the OP mentioned scenery specifically.
I counter, then, that he also mentioned diversity. Fulton County is 90.2% white (2017), whereas Orleans County is only 80.5% white. :-P
Yeah, the lack of scenery does set Orleans somewhat apart. I wasn't blown away by Fulton County; NY 29 is boring, but this isn't bad (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2246557,-74.1810973,3a,90y,326.89h,89.4t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sWzOWgSdGLqeeVho3MGpUdg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DWzOWgSdGLqeeVho3MGpUdg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D344.34564%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192). Neither is this (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1741595,-74.5114404,3a,75y,149.03h,88.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgZlCW5TUiAvMx2hClzCSOA!2e0!7i3328!8i1664), if you caught it at a better time of year. The most obvious comparison to Orleans would be Genesee, but that's the closest thing NY has to big-farm country, and it's at least got the Thruway and some rolling hills.
As for diversity, well, that encompasses more than just ethnic diversity. :)
Quote from: webny99 on December 15, 2020, 08:12:13 PM
As for diversity, well, that encompasses more than just ethnic diversity. :)
But rednecks, if you take ethnicity away, are a VERY diverse bunch! Waist size, bra/blouse color combination, number of rusting cars in the back yard, preferred fishing lure, choice of mildly offensive T-shirt message, ...
You can't spell nanny state without "NY" . :D
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 08:36:41 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 15, 2020, 08:12:13 PM
As for diversity, well, that encompasses more than just ethnic diversity. :)
But rednecks, if you take ethnicity away, are a VERY diverse bunch! Waist size, bra/blouse color combination, number of rusting cars in the back yard, preferred fishing lure, choice of mildly offensive T-shirt message, ...
Haha, well there is that factor as well... but I wasn't even thinking of other
human-related characteristics of diversity. I was thinking more along the lines of population density, terrain, etc., etc.
Quote from: dlsterner on December 14, 2020, 11:43:54 PM
I'm actually moving to New York state - Orleans County to be precise - just because it is the best county in the state.
The Orleans County real estate boom will the news story of 2021.
I just hope there's room for me when I make the big move.
Quote from: webny99 on December 15, 2020, 02:32:03 PM
Wow, it's crazy how popular the 62nd-best county in New York is. I can't even imagine how popular the other 61 are!
You made it popular.
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 07:54:03 PM
(Swimming, that is, not finding pictures of swimming. It isn't Alan County, after all.)
Actually, in a little-known park bylaw that everyone knows, while swimming is prohibited, taking pictures of swimming is compulsory, under penalty of getting a ticket that places your bank account into a state of quantum superposition.
Quote from: vdeane on December 15, 2020, 09:29:54 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 07:54:03 PM
(Swimming, that is, not finding pictures of swimming. It isn't Alan County, after all.)
Actually, in a little-known park bylaw that everyone knows, while swimming is prohibited, taking pictures of swimming is compulsory, under penalty of getting a ticket that places your bank account into an oblast of quantum superposition.
Fixed.
Quote from: vdeane on December 15, 2020, 09:29:54 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 15, 2020, 02:32:03 PM
Wow, it's crazy how popular the 62nd-best county in New York is. I can't even imagine how popular the other 61 are!
You made it popular.
Making it a popular place
to talk about has actually been thoroughly enjoyable.
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 07:54:03 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on December 15, 2020, 05:51:21 PM
Does anything at Lakeside Beach State Park even resemble a sand beach? If you look at the Google Satellite View it looks like there's trees right up to the shoreline then it looks like a bunch of rocks. This is what I'm talking about: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3689531,-78.2358664,71m/data=!3m1!1e3
Yes. Pan to the west, and you can see the sandy beach. You can find pictures of people swimming there (I found some), but doing so appears to be against park rules.
(Swimming, that is, not finding pictures of swimming. It isn't Alan County, after all.)
Ah, but are they
swimming, or are they
wading? That might be the loophole that keeps them out of jeopardy!
Quote from: webny99 on December 15, 2020, 08:12:13 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 04:40:35 PM
Quote from: 1 on December 15, 2020, 04:34:21 PM
Fulton County has Adirondack Mountains scenery.
True, the OP mentioned scenery specifically.
I counter, then, that he also mentioned diversity. Fulton County is 90.2% white (2017), whereas Orleans County is only 80.5% white. :-P
Yeah, the lack of scenery does set Orleans somewhat apart. I wasn't blown away by Fulton County; NY 29 is boring, but this isn't bad (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2246557,-74.1810973,3a,90y,326.89h,89.4t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sWzOWgSdGLqeeVho3MGpUdg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DWzOWgSdGLqeeVho3MGpUdg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D344.34564%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192). Neither is this (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1741595,-74.5114404,3a,75y,149.03h,88.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgZlCW5TUiAvMx2hClzCSOA!2e0!7i3328!8i1664), if you caught it at a better time of year. The most obvious comparison to Orleans would be Genesee, but that's the closest thing NY has to big-farm country, and it's at least got the Thruway and some rolling hills.
As for diversity, well, that encompasses more than just ethnic diversity. :)
What I would say consists of boring is the same scenery for miles and miles. If the terrain changes here and there it's a lot less boring.
Jo Daviess County is probably the best Illinois county, at least in terms of scenery and tourism. The rolling hills are beautiful at any time of the year, you've got some great spots to view the Mississippi, and Galena is an incredibly charming town to visit, though the virus rules are doing a number on it I'm sure... :-(
I'm picking Bayfield County for my state.
Nice and large, so there's a variety of landscapes, plus it has most of our Lake Superior coast. I like doing stuff outdoors and a huge selection of that stuff is in that county.
I treated this as a question of where do I want to visit. In terms of living, well, maybe the answer would be the same after this Plague year. Not having many of the urban amenities that set city life apart from living in the sticks makes one wonder.
Quote from: triplemultiplex on December 21, 2020, 11:57:34 AM
I'm picking Bayfield County for my state.
Nice and large, so there's a variety of landscapes, plus it has most of our Lake Superior coast. I like doing stuff outdoors and a huge selection of that stuff is in that county.
I'd take Bayfield over Door too for the reason it's more scenic and less nationally famous.
Also has the hilarious "Still lost? Consider letting someone else drive" signage at one county road intersection.
I am curious what visitors' best and worst lists are, obviously if you've only been to one county there's no point but if you've seen a lot of a state you've probably picked a favorite/worst.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on December 21, 2020, 02:54:59 PM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on December 21, 2020, 11:57:34 AM
I'm picking Bayfield County for my state.
Nice and large, so there's a variety of landscapes, plus it has most of our Lake Superior coast. I like doing stuff outdoors and a huge selection of that stuff is in that county.
I'd take Bayfield over Door too for the reason it's more scenic and less nationally famous.
What about Ashland County? Surely that has to be in the running too, being home to most of the Apostle Islands.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on December 21, 2020, 02:54:59 PM
Also has the hilarious "Still lost? Consider letting someone else drive" signage at one county road intersection.
Street View or it didn't happen. ;-)
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on December 21, 2020, 02:54:59 PM
Also has the hilarious "Still lost? Consider letting someone else drive" signage at one county road intersection.
Street View or it didn't happen. ;-)
[/quote]
I found it pretty quick. It's the bottom sign it's kind of hard to make out what it says but that is it.
https://www.google.com/maps/@46.8173708,-90.8417805,3a,25.4y,161.21h,73.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTqO7zdvKgIHDE7lAGjuUOg!2e0!7i3328!8i1664
Quote from: webny99 on December 21, 2020, 03:30:32 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on December 21, 2020, 02:54:59 PM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on December 21, 2020, 11:57:34 AM
I'm picking Bayfield County for my state.
Nice and large, so there's a variety of landscapes, plus it has most of our Lake Superior coast. I like doing stuff outdoors and a huge selection of that stuff is in that county.
I'd take Bayfield over Door too for the reason it's more scenic and less nationally famous.
What about Ashland County? Surely that has to be in the running too, being home to most of the Apostle Islands.
As dicussed above, Ashland has Ashland, so no.
Quote from: Rothman on December 21, 2020, 06:47:12 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 21, 2020, 03:30:32 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on December 21, 2020, 02:54:59 PM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on December 21, 2020, 11:57:34 AM
I'm picking Bayfield County for my state.
Nice and large, so there's a variety of landscapes, plus it has most of our Lake Superior coast. I like doing stuff outdoors and a huge selection of that stuff is in that county.
I'd take Bayfield over Door too for the reason it's more scenic and less nationally famous.
What about Ashland County? Surely that has to be in the running too, being home to most of the Apostle Islands.
As dicussed above, Ashland has Ashland, so no.
Hmm, OK. I must've missed that. Either that or it was in another thread.
Quote from: webny99 on December 21, 2020, 08:38:12 PM
Quote from: Rothman on December 21, 2020, 06:47:12 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 21, 2020, 03:30:32 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on December 21, 2020, 02:54:59 PM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on December 21, 2020, 11:57:34 AM
I'm picking Bayfield County for my state.
Nice and large, so there's a variety of landscapes, plus it has most of our Lake Superior coast. I like doing stuff outdoors and a huge selection of that stuff is in that county.
I'd take Bayfield over Door too for the reason it's more scenic and less nationally famous.
What about Ashland County? Surely that has to be in the running too, being home to most of the Apostle Islands.
As dicussed above, Ashland has Ashland, so no.
Hmm, OK. I must've missed that. Either that or it was in another thread.
Yeah, that was actually in the Worst County thread.
I would nominate Jo Daviess county for IL. The Driftless area and small town vibes brings out some scenic driving but you could make a case for some of the river counties in the state. Runner up would be LaSalle for the Illinois Valley and Starved Rock
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on December 21, 2020, 11:56:46 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 21, 2020, 08:38:12 PM
Quote from: Rothman on December 21, 2020, 06:47:12 PM
Quote from: webny99 on December 21, 2020, 03:30:32 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on December 21, 2020, 02:54:59 PM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on December 21, 2020, 11:57:34 AM
I'm picking Bayfield County for my state.
Nice and large, so there's a variety of landscapes, plus it has most of our Lake Superior coast. I like doing stuff outdoors and a huge selection of that stuff is in that county.
I'd take Bayfield over Door too for the reason it's more scenic and less nationally famous.
What about Ashland County? Surely that has to be in the running too, being home to most of the Apostle Islands.
As dicussed above, Ashland has Ashland, so no.
Hmm, OK. I must've missed that. Either that or it was in another thread.
Yeah, that was actually in the Worst County thread.
"Above" is subjective.
Quote from: webny99 on December 21, 2020, 03:30:32 PM
What about Ashland County? Surely that has to be in the running too, being home to most of the Apostle Islands.
Ashland County is mostly great, too. Penokee Range, Copper Falls, wild forests, Madeline Island. The city's actually just fine, in my opinion. Yeah it's older and rust-belty, but it's got the bay and some neat old building stock. Big fan of South Shore Brewery; the first microbrewery up north.
I give the edge to Bayfield County because it has more interior lakes, the coast is more rugged and it contains a handful of my own personal favorite fishin' holes. ;)
I've quite enjoyed the Bayfield apple festival (first weekend in October) the couple times I've gotten to go.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on December 22, 2020, 07:06:05 PM
I've quite enjoyed the Bayfield apple festival (first weekend in October) the couple times I've gotten to go.
Been there myself to that. I just really enjoy WI 13 and the shoreline in Bayfield County in general.
Not sure who wins Pennsylvania, but Allegheny is definitely in contention.
I'm having a hard time coming up with one for Utah - most counties have a good mix of scenery but there's not really one that stands out above others. Simply as far as landscape diversity is concerned, Box Elder County might win - it has a little bit of just about everything Utah has to offer except for high alpine terrain and interesting large cities (though Brigham City southward is more and more becoming an Ogden-SLC exurb).
Quote from: US 89 on December 23, 2020, 12:34:01 AM
I'm having a hard time coming up with one for Utah - most counties have a good mix of scenery but there's not really one that stands out above others. Simply as far as landscape diversity is concerned, Box Elder County might win - it has a little bit of just about everything Utah has to offer except for high alpine terrain and interesting large cities (though Brigham City southward is more and more becoming an Ogden-SLC exurb).
I would have gone southern for classic national park/slickrock country.
I like the Wasatch Front, but can't bring myself to vote for Salt Lake or Utah Counties...
For West Virginia, I'd nominate Raleigh County. Beckley is a decent sized town with plenty of amenities. You have the New River Gorge on the east side of the county and proximity to the Appalachian coalfields on the west side of the county. Not far from the NRG bridge, an hour from the state capital, a decent highway network.
Quote from: hbelkins on December 23, 2020, 03:08:06 PM
For West Virginia, I'd nominate Raleigh County. Beckley is a decent sized town with plenty of amenities. You have the New River Gorge on the east side of the county and proximity to the Appalachian coalfields on the west side of the county. Not far from the NRG bridge, an hour from the state capital, a decent highway network.
Ah, coalfields. They're what makes WV great! :D
When I think of West Virginia I think of mountains, rivers and train tracks. I drove through there one time with my dad and a friend of ours about 8 years ago. For some reason I had forgotten that my GPS was set to avoid toll roads so we had a route avoiding the Ohio Turnpike and the West Virginia Turnpike. We were NW of Charleston and driving up in the mountains, my dad was wondering where the hell we were and thought it was a strange route. I didn't tell him that I had it avoiding toll roads until we got to Winston-Salem, NC. I just remember a river, train tracks and being in the mountains and this was not my first time to West Virginia. Also remember having to do an S curve to avoid a house. I love the scenery there and my first trip to West Virginia was in 1991 on a camping trip to Beckley. I was inexperienced at camping and knocked the tent over at 3am and my dad's buddy had to come put the tent back up lol. On I-77 I think it's just north of the Virginia state line there is a stretch on the freeway where you are looking down into the valley at the mountains on the horizon. Always thought that was one of the most beautiful views in West Virginia.
Quote from: webny99 on December 14, 2020, 02:58:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 14, 2020, 02:06:10 PM
For New York, I'd go with Orleans County. I've been looking at it online a lot recently.
Yes, but:
Quote from: webny99 on December 12, 2020, 06:16:01 PM
Best County in Your State
Why do people so often ask about "your state"? Too limiting, for people who aren't from just one state!
Anyway, using a liberal definition of "your state", to cover some others where I have significant ties or interests.
Alaska: Sitka city and borough -- mix of Russian colonial history, and totem poles out the wazoo (not the only place to find them, with lots in Ketchikan too), as well as Sitka's own formidable small-city charm if you can stand the rain.
Hawaii: Maui (County) Nō Ka ʻOi (is the best) -- really just for Maui island (which I have included in all eight of my visits to Hawaii), rather than the lesser islands within the county.
California: I like Max's selection of Mono and Inyo counties, which I often visit for their many hot springs. But I'd give the nod to the more all-season San Luis Obispo County, a good mix of small cities and ranches, and great coastal scenery and beaches.
Quote from: oscar on December 25, 2020, 11:55:45 AM
Quote from: webny99 on December 14, 2020, 02:58:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 14, 2020, 02:06:10 PM
For New York, I'd go with Orleans County. I've been looking at it online a lot recently.
Yes, but:
Quote from: webny99 on December 12, 2020, 06:16:01 PM
Best County in Your State
Why do people so often ask about "your state"? Too limiting, for people who aren't from just one state!
Well, to give ourselves an easy response when situations like the one quoted arise. ;-)
Normally though, with this particular joke aside, I wouldn't bother being pedantic about it. Certainly, if you've lived in or spent extensive time in more than one state, or live near a state line, feel free to suggest a county for each of them.
For Michigan it's hard for me to argue against Keweenaw County.
Maine, I have the fondest memories of Washington County.
Colorado, San Juan and La Plata.
Though I've been to 46 states, I still feel I haven't seen enough of others to make a judgement on the rest.
Probably because you would more likely know more about your state than an outsider would. I answer for Michigan, Indiana and Ohio quite frequently.
The Keweenaw County Courthouse in Eagle River is pretty cool. Looks like a house that belongs in New England.
Personally, for a question like this one where you need to have seen a lot of the state rather than just making a quick judgment based on a limited stay or pass-through, the only state that I'd consider answering for besides my own would be Pennsylvania.
Double-checking my mob-rule map, I've been to 49 (73%) of PA's 67 counties. I'd want to take a trip to the south-central part of the state and get that over 80% before offering a definitive answer. From the counties I have been to, though, nothing stands out as a runaway favorite. A lot of PA's counties strike me as being similar to one another, Erie and Philadelphia being the most notable exceptions, but those have their own set of drawbacks.
Similarly, for New Jersey I'd want to visit the Atlantic coast, and for Minnesota, I'd want to visit at least a few more counties in the northern and west-central parts of the state.
Quote from: webny99 on December 25, 2020, 12:43:26 PM
Personally, for a question like this one where you need to have seen a lot of the state rather than just making a quick judgment based on a limited stay or pass-through, the only state that I'd consider answering for besides my own would be Pennsylvania.
Double-checking my mob-rule map, I've been to 49 (73%) of PA's 67 counties. I'd want to take a trip to the south-central part of the state and get that over 80% before offering a definitive answer. From the counties I have been to, though, nothing stands out as a runaway favorite. A lot of PA's counties strike me as being similar to one another, Erie and Philadelphia being the most notable exceptions, but those have their own set of drawbacks.
Similarly, for New Jersey I'd want to visit the Atlantic coast, and for Minnesota, I'd want to visit at least a few more counties in the northern and west-central parts of the state.
I've completely clinched Michigan, Indiana and Connecticut. However I don't remember everything about Connecticut and couldn't answer any questions really without going back there again since I haven't been there since 2006. But with Michigan, Indiana and Ohio I've seen enough of those three states to be able to answer a majority of the questions about them. I've got about 85% of Ohio's counties clinched now. Looking at PA I would say I need everything along the northern border with New York and only have 55.2% of the counties in PA clinched. My next county clinching trip I was planning on getting the counties I need in eastern Ohio and Greene and Fayette counties in PA.
Indiana: Brown County
Michigan: Keweenaw County
Ohio: It could be a county I haven't been to yet so I'm not even sure. So far I'd go with Athens County since it's in the rolling hills part of the state. Planning on clinching a lot of OH-7 on my next Ohio trip.
I'll throw another vote in as a former Michigan resident for Keweenaw County.
I've never been to Keweenaw, but I've thoroughly enjoyed my visits to the UP. I would definitely nominate a UP county but not sure which one until I can get back there and see more of it.
For South Carolina, I'm gonna go with York County, since it's a fairly prosperous suburban Charlotte county. Second is Beaufort County because of the history, laid-back vibes, and beaches. Third is my current home county of Lexington.
For Tennessee, it's definitely Williamson. Other honorable mentions would have to be Rutherford, Sumner, and Dickson.
This is all my opinion, so let the debate commence!
Quote from: webny99 on December 25, 2020, 01:10:22 PM
I've never been to Keweenaw, but I've thoroughly enjoyed my visits to the UP. I would definitely nominate a UP county but not sure which one until I can get back there and see more of it.
I hadn't been to Keweenaw until this past summer when I was finishing up my county clinching in the Upper Peninsula. I had never realized how far into the Keweenaw Peninsula that Houghton County goes, I thought the line would have been further south and I wasn't even thinking of what it looked like on a map. I remember a BP gas station at the county line.
Keweenaw was my answer for the entire state. Benzie, Manistee, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim, Emmet, Charlevoix and those counties are runner ups but I think that Keweenaw has them beat. I didn't know what to expect when I started clinching the remaining 7 counties I needed to finish off Michigan. I started in Marquette County then did a strange detour for some reason I think it had something to do with where I was going to stay for the night so instead of heading toward Houghton which is what I should have done I headed south on M-95 toward Iron Mountain. I had already clinched Dickinson County many years ago so no idea what made me make that turn and head south.
It was a 3 hour drive from Iron Mountain to Copper Harbor and I took US-2/141 through Wisconsin clinching Florence County in the process. Took US-141 to it's northern terminus and then followed US-41 toward Houghton. I remember that I got off US-41 before Houghton and managed to take a different route along county roads into Houghton. Houghton might actually be in the top tier of Michigan counties as well it's not much different than Keweenaw in areas. Houghton was a nice little city and I remember eating breakfast at McDonald's there before heading across the Portage Lift Bridge and into Hancock and the Keweenaw Peninsula. I went up Scott Street in Hancock which was a fun ride as it's on a hill.
Once I hit Keweenaw County I stayed on US-41 until the cul-de-sac. It's very remote, not many people around at all and some of the areas that you can access are among the most beautiful views in Michigan. I passed Fort Wilkins and remember seeing a dead end sign with a 55 mph speed limit sign next to it. The road was freshly paved as well. I thought I wonder how far down the cul-de-sac is, then i saw a deer just before the cul-de-sac which I scared back into the woods. Coming back I took M-26 to Phoenix then US-41 back down to Houghton. M-26 took longer but was a more scenic route than US-41 which runs more inland as M-26 runs along the lakeshore. The Brockway Mountain Drive was pretty cool too but it's a dirt road connecting to M-26 on both ends. I loved the courthouse in Eagle River, it looks like a house that belongs in New England serving Michigan's least populated county.
Gogebic was my last Michigan county to clinch and I did that simply by driving down US-45 from Ontonagon. It wasn't as much fun as Keweenaw and Houghton counties.
Quote from: Rothman on December 23, 2020, 02:13:21 AM
Quote from: US 89 on December 23, 2020, 12:34:01 AM
I'm having a hard time coming up with one for Utah - most counties have a good mix of scenery but there's not really one that stands out above others. Simply as far as landscape diversity is concerned, Box Elder County might win - it has a little bit of just about everything Utah has to offer except for high alpine terrain and interesting large cities (though Brigham City southward is more and more becoming an Ogden-SLC exurb).
I would have gone southern for classic national park/slickrock country.
I like the Wasatch Front, but can't bring myself to vote for Salt Lake or Utah Counties...
Sure, but southern Utah largely misses out on the classic high mountain terrain you can find in much of northern Utah. Plus the towns as a general rule are not really as interesting. I suppose I'd pick Garfield County based on scenery alone - you've got the upper Sevier Valley, Bryce Canyon, Escalante Canyon, Aquarius Plateau, Lake Powell, and more. Grand would be up there too if not for I-70 taking the most boring path possible through it.
Utah County would have been my northern Utah pick from scenery alone...but I'm just not a fan of the Utah Valley portion of the Wasatch Front. It just feels like one big homogenous suburb when you compare it to the portions further north.
Quote from: oscar on December 25, 2020, 11:55:45 AM
Quote from: webny99 on December 14, 2020, 02:58:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 14, 2020, 02:06:10 PM
For New York, I'd go with Orleans County. I've been looking at it online a lot recently.
Yes, but:
Quote from: webny99 on December 12, 2020, 06:16:01 PM
Best County in Your State
Why do people so often ask about "your state"? Too limiting, for people who aren't from just one state!
Anyway, using a liberal definition of "your state", to cover some others where I have significant ties or interests.
Alaska: Sitka city and borough -- mix of Russian colonial history, and totem poles out the wazoo (not the only place to find them, with lots in Ketchikan too), as well as Sitka's own formidable small-city charm if you can stand the rain.
Hawaii: Maui (County) Nō Ka ʻOi (is the best) -- really just for Maui island (which I have included in all eight of my visits to Hawaii), rather than the lesser islands within the county.
California: I like Max's selection of Mono and Inyo counties, which I often visit for their many hot springs. But I'd give the nod to the more all-season San Luis Obispo County, a good mix of small cities and ranches, and great coastal scenery and beaches.
I like SLO a lot but I get more out of Monterey County for similar reasons. Monterey County has some of my favorite hiking locales such; Pfeffier Big Sur State Park, Fort Ord, and Pinnacles National Park. CA 1 in Big Sur is partially in Monterey County but there more cool roads than SLO like; CA 198, CA 146 West, G16, San Juan Grade, and Ocean View Boulevard.
PA has a lot of good options, but I have to say Montgomery has a good mix of access to the Suburbs of Philadelphia, but also green space and smaller towns at the other end of the county. Plus you have (some of) Valley Forge National Historical Park. Chester County [NOT Chester City – in Delaware County] is probably almost interchangeable here.