You have no idea how good you have it. Spent a substantial amount of time in my youth moving from one side of the country to the other. We had books, when we had enough light. And whatever radio mom/dad wanted to listen to. And chainsmoking parents who wouldn't open the windows.
No phones, no smart phones, no gameboys, just miles and miles of reading (thank god I don't get carsick and love books) or, when you couldn't because of lack of sunlight, you just did nothing. I would have murdered someone for a laptop with games, movies etc., not even online.
The "famous for leaving the Midwest" thing is so real. I lived in a town that billed itself as the hometown of a famous country singer, themed museum and all. Looked it up one time, the dude lived there for like a year when he was three.
Ohio and North Carolina have a license plate beef over the Wright Brothers. They lived and worked in Ohio ("Birthplace of Aviation"), but the first flight was in Kitty Hawk because of the steady winds ("First in Flight").
Theoretically to check for smuggling and/or theft, I've been told. Come to think of it, if exactly the right weight of merchandise "fell off the back of the truck" to balance the weight of the humans you're trafficking, you'd be safe and make double profits.
Trucks can only be 80,000 pounds max and certain weight ratios per axle (varies by state and conditions). If you're too heavy it could mean shifting the axles, obtaining a special permit, needing an escort, paying a fine, or even being stopped until you can sort it out. It has to do mostly with safety and damage to the roads AFAIK. Also it's where they check all your paperwork and licenses.
There's a German style brewery in Columbus, Ohio that sells black shirts with red block lettering that say "Helles Real" and I think it's the best thing ever
