Farewell Northlandia

My dear friend and loyal blog writer and reader Mike refers to Illinois as Northlandia. Tomorrow Carol and I will get in the car and head south toward our beloved Tybee Island. It has been over two months. We miss the salt air, the fresh seafood, the sound of the waves, and a hundred other things. We have accomplished most of what we came north to do. What is left undone may be accomplished by mail, email and telephone over the coming weeks. It is reasonable to ask us this question. Why Tybee Island? The answer is partially in the following.

Business insider named the 10 best small towns in America. Coming in at number 10 is Tybee Island, Georgia. Why? It is known for its relaxing, laid back atmosphere, great seafood and breathtaking views. It has old historic monuments like Battery Garland of Fort Screven and the Tybee Island Lighthouse. The population is listed as 2,990 which makes it large enough to have some business and small enough to have that small town friendliness. So, with thousands of small towns in America we managed to make a place for ourselves in one of the top 10. We aren't that smart, we just got lucky. If you are looking for somewhere to go here are the rest of the top 10.

9. Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, population 4,781
8. Cloudcroft, New Mexico, population 674
7. Burnsville, Minnesota, population 60,306
6. Sedona, Arizona, population 10,031
5. Lewiston, New York, population 2,701
4. Murray, Kentucky, population 17,471
3. Bardstown, Kentucky, population 11,700
2. Danville, Kentucky, population 16,218
1. Denton, Texas, population 113,383

I found a few things interesting in the list. Three of the top 5 are in Kentucky. I have been to one of them. Bardstown is in Kentucky bourbon country and home to Maker's Mark and Jim Beam. The scenery is beautiful in that area and the people are friendly. The only other town on the list I have been to is Sedona, Arizona. It is one of the most beautiful and spiritual places I have ever been. The biggest objection I have on the list is Denton, Texas. Small towns don't have populations over 100,000. Burnsville, Minnesota was pushing the limits for me since it was over 50,000. If you haven't visited any of these places based on the three I have been to a trip to any one of them would be worth your time. As for us, tomorrow we are on the road to number 10.