What exactly is the Midwest?
The sun sets over the Missouri River in Rocheport, Missouri.
We’re a bit of an enigma here in the Midwest of the United States, where Super Cool Van Trips calls home.
Most people in the U.S. know the term, and they probably even have a general idea of where it is.
But, ask them how many and which states are in the Midwest, and they’re bound to get it wrong.
Growing up in Missouri, I knew it was the Midwest. So, I’m always surprised when people ask if it’s the South. Wrong. But, it borders the South.
Table Rock Lake in Missouri.
Recently, I dedicated myself to binge-watching all the Ink Master seasons. That’s how I came across a rather unique interpretation of the Midwest. Which is what inspired this blog.
In Ink Master Turf War, season 13, the contestants are divided into teams based on where they live.
There were five members on the Midwest team, but only one of them was actually from the region: Kelly Severtson, Chicago, Illinois. The other four were from Colorado, Oklahoma and, even farther away, Idaho. Wrong.
At least Colorado and Oklahoma border the Midwest. But, Idaho, really?
Does anyone even know what the Midwest is?
A canopy of trees at North Sandusky Campground in Sesser, Illinois.
The U.S. government does. More superficially, the Census Bureau, which defines the Midwest as 12 states. They are, in alphabetical order:
They’re not really in the middle of the U.S. (save for Kansas), and they’re not quite the west. Still, these 12 states make up the Midwest.
Granted, a whole lot of people consider these to be flyover states and the Midwest, in general, flyover country. They never come here. They simply fly over while traveling between the East Coast and the West Coast.
That’s fine. We get it.
But, if you ever do decide to stop, we think you’ll enjoy it.
There’s a wide variety of terrain. Cities big and small. Parks, museums, historical attractions. Loads of rivers and lakes. Farms and factories. Breweries and distilleries. Forests and prairies. Incredible architecture. National Parks, National Forests and National Waterways. Pretty sunrises and sunsets. Even waterfalls.
Driving on I-70 West through Kansas, before a big storm rolls in.
There are all kinds of nice people, and there are assholes, too — just like anywhere.
Come and see for yourself, if you like.
At the very least, we hope this blog comes in handy someday during trivia.
We recognize that the Midwest is a construct of colonialism, and we acknowledge the Indigenous Peoples who were here long before us.