This is a topic I have literally discussed for scores of hours with friends. The criteria we usually use is that it has to be the state that would be the least appealing to drive around — as a salesman or some such — full time and to otherwise experience on a regular basis for a year. Try this out on your friends, it usually creates very heated arguments. New Jersey, Oklahoma and Lousiana often make the list. I’m not advocating any of these nominees, mind you (I don’t want the email). One of the interesting lessons of this is that ultimately, this is an amazingly beautiful country where even the ugliest states have very, very pretty parts.

One time, after arguing about this for over an hour with a bunch of friends over drinks. I though we should switch to countries (keeping in mind that ignorance would be high and judgements would be impressionistic). I thought it would take up a long time of argument. Then my friend Vin said, “Chad.” There was a long silence. And everyone said “Yep, sounds about right.” “Works for me.” “I’m stumped.”