I've Been Everywhere (US Edition) Quiz

Answer: Nevada

Winnemucca is the county seat of Humboldt County, Nevada. It is named for Chief Winnemucca of the Northern Paiute tribe. It is possible that the highway along which the narrator was walking was either Interstate 80 or US Route 95, which intersect in Winnemucca. Alternately the narrator could have taken the train to Winnemucca since the Central Pacific Railroad reached the city by 1868. Mining is an important feature of the Winnemucca economy.

"I've Been Everywhere" was originally written in 1959 by Australian country singer Geoff Mack with lyrics referencing Australian geography. US country singer Hank Snow wrote new lyrics for the song in 1962 referencing North American Geography. Several artists--including Johnny Cash--have covered various versions of the song. The lyrics have been rewritten multiple times to reference particular countries including Great Britain and New Zealand. In the version of the song this quiz is using, the driver of the semi offers the narrator a ride:

"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack with me you can ride
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside"

Answer: The Lincoln Highway

The Lincoln Highway runs from New York, NY to San Francisco, CA through 14 states. First dedicated in 1913, the Lincoln Highway is part of US Route 30 for much of its distance. The Lincoln Highway would later be the inspiration of the US Interstate Highway System. Statues, plaques, and markers referencing Abraham Lincoln can be found at numerous locations along the route.

As of 2016, there were slightly over 4.1 million miles of roads in the United States, of which almost 2.7 million are paved and 1.4 are unpaved. If the song's narrator has really travelled every road, he has done quite a bit of traveling.

Answer: New Mexico

The Mojave Desert cover approximately 48,000 square miles, mostly in California and Nevada. Small portions of the desert extend into Arizona and Utah. The Mojave includes California's Death Valley, the site of the lowest elevation in North America at 280 feet below sea level, though most of the desert lies at 2,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level. Though large parts of the Mojave are sparsely populated, cities include Barstow, CA, Kingman, AZ, and Mesquite, NV. Perhaps it was at one of those that the narrator found a place to stay for the night.

Answer: Colorado

Colorado's mean elevation is 6,800 feet compared to Montana (3,400 feet), Nevada (5,500 feet), and Arizona (4,100 feet). Though the highest mountain in North America--Denali/Mount McKinley--is located in Alaska, Colorado has 50 mountains that reach an elevation of 14,000 feet or more. These include Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the state, and the famous Pikes Peak. As a landlocked state, Colorado's lowest elevation (3,315 feet) found near its eastern border with Kansas is higher than the highest elevation in eighteen US states. The song's narrator continues:

"Travel, I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere"

Answer: Fargo, ND

The Red River of the North flows for 550 miles through the US states of Minnesota and North Dakota and the Canadian province of Manitoba. Fargo, one of the most populous cities in North Dakota, advertises itself as the "Gateway to the West". Fargo is the home of North Dakota State University. A cultural center for eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, Fargo is home to several museums including the Fargo Air Museum and the Plains Art Museum.

Reno lies about 20 miles from Lake Tahoe. Chicago lies on Lake Michigan. Buffalo lies on Lake Erie.

Answer: Dayton, OH

The museum is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, about six miles northeast of Dayton, OH. The origins of the museum date to the 1920s, prior to the establishment of a separate US Air Force. More than 300 aircraft and missiles are included in the museum's collection.

The museum covers over 1,000,000 square feet. Highlights of the museum include several presidential aircraft and a replica of the 1909 Wright Flyer. The "Wright" in the name of the base refers to Orville and Wilbur Wright, inventors of the airplane, who were long-time residents of Dayton.

Answer: Crater Lake (Oregon)

Crater Lake sits in a caldera that was formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama, a volcano. The deep blue waters of the lake reach a depth of 1,949 feet. Crater Lake has a surface area of 20.6 square miles. Since there are no rivers flowing into or out of Crater Lake, the evaporation of water from the lake is largely counterbalanced by precipitation. Wizard Island and Phantom Ship are two small islands in Crater Lake.

Answer: Nashville, TN

Seating almost 2,400 people, Ryman Auditorium is located at 116 5th Avenue North, in Nashville, Opened in 1892 as Union Gospel Tabernacle, Ryman Auditorium was also known as the Grand Ole Opry House for a period. Ryman Auditorium is known as "The Mother Church of Country Music". Johnny Cash is just one of many artists who have performed at this location. Ryman Auditorium was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001.

Answer: Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University--Idaho was founded in 1888 and previously known as Ricks College, a junior college. The school is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Divided into six colleges, the school offers degrees in dozens of majors.

Intercollegiate athletics were phased out as part of the transition from junior college to four-year institution. Its athletic teams were formerly known as the Vikings. Rexburg is located in southeastern Idaho, near the Snake River.

Answer: Kansas City, MO

Founded in the 1830s, Kansas City lies on the western edge of Missouri. Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs (National Football League), was opened in 1972. Kauffman Stadium, home of the Royals (Major League Baseball), was opened in 1973. Both are part of the Harry S. Truman Sports Complex. Former President Harry Truman (1884-1972) lived in nearby Independence, MO. Previously both the Chiefs and the Royals shared Municipal Stadium in Kansas City.