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November 20, 2006
Where is Hilliard, Ohio?
This started out as a reply to Pen's comment. As I have a hard time being concise it didn't take long for it to become entry-length. So here it is.
Q: Where is Hilliard, Ohio.
A: Hilliard is right next to, and a bit north and west of, Columbus, Ohio. 
just below
and between the
'O' and 'h' in Ohio
Columbus, while the capital and mostly dead-center in the middle of the state, is very hard to find even for Americans. The New York Times, when talking about local multi-millionaire Les Wexner (of the Limited stores and Victoria's Secret) said he lived 2 1/2 hours south of Cleveland. He lives in New Albany which brushes up next to Columbus. The city of Columbus was very upset by this. Columbus so badly wants to be a one-name city like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, Paris, London, Cher, and Madonna. Geez, even Dayton. But anytime you say "Columbus" you have to say "Ohio" with it. Poorly worded New York Times articles don't help. 
know that Victoria's Secret
sold sweaters.
Ohio is in the Midwest which doesn't really narrow things down too much as the Midwest is huge. The Midwest may start in the western bit of Pennsylvania and it works its way westward through Indiana, and Illinois where it sort of gains some thickness, taking in Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska (which, according to a hat I owned 20 years ago is "Big Cock Country." It would seem when it comes to pheasants, Nebraska has the John Holmes variety.)
So, the Midwest sort of starts in the eastern portion of the country and goes westward to just a bit left of the country's center. I have got to believe that Ohio is more Mideast than Midwest. Oddly enough, Ohio is nowhere near the Mideast, though we keep sending our National Guardsmen to that location.
My description of the Midwest may not be totally accurate. And I'm not married to my description.
bigger in Nebraska
I'm pretty sure Kentucky, a commonwealth more than a state, considers herself to be part of the South right along with all the states south of her. Colorado Wyoming, and Nevada, maybe Idaho, and the states around there, are Western states -- and I base this simply on the number of Westerns I've seen that supposedly took place in those locations.
I'm not sure what Michigan is. It's north of us, but generally speaking, We Don't Give a Damn About the Whole State of Michigan (it's a song that is popular during the Ohio State/Michigan game week) and we ignore her like you would a bitchy aunt.
There are simply too many states to keep track of. North and South Dakota and Minnesota I'd put in the freakin' cold north. But, Montana is right next door, and a lot of Westerns took place there, so I'd call it a Western state more than an cold state.
Anyway, we've continentally drifted off track. But certainly you can see how confusing things are here.
To get back on track -- as much as I ever do -- if you go to Google Maps and type in Hilliard, Ohio, the green arrow that shows Hilliard is damn near right on my house. When you zoom all the way it it's two blocks off. If you go south down Rome Hilliard Road just a short distance, you're in Columbus; a quick left and you're at Salvis. If you go up Scioto Darby Road and stop at the new Sunoco station you'll find they sell Clark Bars ... they sit in a box right next to the Zagnuts.
To clarify things even further, for the New York Times reporters among you, Hilliard, Ohio is about 543 miles east of New York City. Google directions can get you here in about 28 steps.
Posted by delmer at November 20, 2006 7:36 AM
Comments
Brilliant!! I even got a green thumb tack (see how well I speak Americanese now huh?)
No wonder so many Americans don't leave the US, there is so damn much of it!! If I drive more than 5 hours East or West or 2 hours South of my home I fall into the sea! (That's sea, not ocean - sea's are smaller!)
Thank you Delmer, you made my day :)
PS Still hanging out for the modeling pics though!
Posted by: Pen at November 20, 2006 4:25 PM
As sad as it is, many of us don't leave the US because we don't know where anyplace else is. I think most of us could find Canada, but we're fairly challenged when it comes to things like distinguishing England from Great Britain. I'm only a bit better than others as I realized that England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland weren't all connected ... but I had to look (just now) to see what was where. And I didn't realize any of this until one of the Brits I work with pointed it out. (Though I'm sure this was all covered in school oh so many years ago.)
Posted by: delmer at November 21, 2006 10:14 AM
*I* knew where Hilliard is, I have been through it! (thought it was a long, long time ago) I also went to Miami of Ohio, and know Hamilton, Oxford, and Middletown! (I graduated after you, and to avoid dating myself, will simply say we would not have crossed paths, but we were both there in the days of the Redskins before the Redhawks were even considered)
Posted by: diane at November 21, 2006 11:50 AM
Diane: I'm glad to see a fellow Miamian here. Finally, someone else who is sensitive to the Miami University / University of Miam hurt we feel. Why must we say "Miami of Ohio" ... they should be saying "Miami of Florida."
I have recently come into possession of two of the Miami Redskin plastic tumblers like they used to sell pop in during football games. I was so tickled.
Posted by: delmer at November 21, 2006 3:14 PM