Finally, The Answers

Well Blog followers, we have decided that the only way our loyal readers would have time to deal with the quiz would be if we provided the answers. (Yes, we understand that you are all too busy to play our silly games). The dates refer to the date of the question.

The Answers:

Nov. 3, 2008 – although we physically were in 4 states, we only drove THROUGH 2 of them: Pennsylvania and Maryland. We drove out of New York and into West Virginia (always fun splitting hairs).

Nov. 4, 2008 – the ‘easy correct’ answer is Indiana. A more intellectual correct answer is: NEVER. If Mike is in the westbound lane and Harriet is in the eastbound lane, they will pass each other, but never truly meet.
A knowledgeable correct answer is: Illinois. This is correct because if Harriet is driving east, she will have to pass through traffic in St. Louis and will lose time, thereby forcing her to make at least 2 potty stops in the first 2 hours.
But the actual correct answer is West Virginia. If Mike is going 80 in West Virginia he will be stopped by the West Virginia constabulary and with his accent will immediately be installed in a lovely room in the local hoosegow and Harriet will have to drive all the way back to West Virginia to bail him out (for the skeptics who think she will let him rot, after several hours of debate she admitted she would bail him out).
Extra Credit: Harriet set foot in 2 states for the first time.
Extra Extra Credit: Kentucky and Missouri

Nov. 5, 2008 – JNEM is Jefferson National Expansion Museum and the Arch is 630 feet high.

Nov. 6, 2008 – a trick question – ALL of the facts about Mr. Truman were TRUE (everybody knows that the Kudzokid doesn’t make up stuff about presidents (there are many who will debate if Polk was really a president or a placeholder).

Nov. 7, 2008 – it was a Tuesday in 1967 (okay, so some of you might not remember). It was the first time that Mike met Harriet in a greasy spoon next door to the building in which they worked, and the rest is history.

Nov. 8, 2008 – this one is a bit tricky – actually only crossed the river 3 times. Once coming back into Missouri from Kansas (original cross into Kansas is actually south of the river). And of course, forth and back to Omaha. FYI – crossing into Kansas had nothing to do with avoiding traffic and everything to do with getting Harriet into another state (yes, we stopped so her feet could actually touch the ground). The real fuss about Omaha was that it enabled Harriet to get into yet another state (again a stop so she could touch the ground was necessary).

Nov 10, 2008 – Harriet’s favorite was Summer Distraction (a book, an ice cream cone and a dog – three of her favorite things). Mike’s favorite was Train (like grandpa, like grandson). Actually, Mike’s favorite was Windswept Lady in Blue (not a statue, but still a favorite).

Nov. 11, 2008 – It is still Friday morning, the actual date was October 10th.

Nov. 13, 2008 – 1. 70 parks. 2. the pillars were erected in 1940-1941.

Nov. 14, 2008 – Yes, we bought NO souvenirs.

Nov. 15, 2008 – A nasty question. Neither of the proffered choices are correct. The town was actually named because it is situated on the northern end of “The Wall” that marks the western end of the Badlands. (Guess there were no better names available).

Nov. 16, 2008 – the four presidents are Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and T. Roosevelt.
Washington: April 1789 – March, 1797
Jefferson: March, 1801 – March, 1809
Lincoln: March, 1861 – April, 1865
Roosevelt: September, 1901 – March, 1909

Nov. 17, 2008 – sorry, only one. Rapid City area is actually in the mountain time zone.

Nov. 18, 2008 – 4. a and e Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane (Honest!)

Nov. 19, 2008 – Yes, enough with the Badlands already.

Nov. 20, 2008 – Sorry, this is a Kudzokid special – the answer is False – have no idea who Lake Iverson is named for (will hazard a guess that it isn’t Allen Iverson).

Nov. 21, 2008 – Incalculable – the detour made Harriet happy, miles don’t matter.
Nov. 22, 2008 – The travel blogs are necessary because both Harriet and Mike are retired and need to find things to keep them amused. The travel is fun in that we get to see interesting scenery and visit some unique places, and documenting it helps them to remember what they did and saw. A side benefit is that often annoys certain readers who lack the necessary discriminating taste to appreciate the effort. We will continue to produce these mini classics as necessary. To misquote Tom Lehrer “If you didn’t want them, you should never have let us begin. (98 words!!!)