[davedensf]

Growing up in Denver, I thought the Midwest started where the high plains ended and trees (aside from the occasional riverbank cottonwood or willow) started to grow in profusion. Where everything turns green and humid and you get glowing buzzing bugs, in other words, around Salina, Kansas, I think.

Logically, the Midwest should be the middle of the west; i.e., around Salt Lake City, but we are burdened with the nomenclature of the early 18th century. Northwestern University in Illinois, come on!!