I have to laugh at this distance discussion. When I first moved to Baltimore, people couldn't understand how much bigger Southern states were than Midatlantic and Northeastern states. When I would tell people I was from Louisiana, they would all gasp and ask how I got through Katrina (this was 2007). I'd respond that I lived in Shreveport at the time so I was fine since it was in the northern part of the state. They'd look funny at me, then I'd say, "That's 4 hours from New Orleans." No one could believe you could go 4 hours from New Orleans in Louisiana, but then again, most people think it's the only city in the state.