Re: Summer camp roadtrip reports (1/4, MS/AL/GA/TN)

On Jul 1, 6:30 pm, Larry Harvilla <l...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

That's a fib intended to draw tourists to the mountain -- the "see seven
states" bit. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookout_Mountain,
specifically the references section thereof, for a more technical
explanation of which I will give you the gist here.

Basically, there are three states you'll always see on Lookout Mountain,
unless it's horrendously foggy -- Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. A few
higher points in extreme southwestern North Carolina are also visible on
clear days; that brings us to four states. As that Wikipedia article
points out, though, the curvature of the earth most certainly precludes
seeing Virginia and Kentucky, two of the claimed seven states, and
probably also prevents LM visitors from seeing South Carolina (the other
one of the seven).

Four states? Absolutely. Seven? No f'in way.

I'll admit that I haven't looked at the specific numbers on this one,
but that curviture of the earth thing plays into a factor with higher
elevations too, in that the horizon is at longer distances at higher
elevation...especially if what you're looking for is at a higher
elevation too.

At sea level, the horizon is at 13 miles. I'd have to run the numbers
to see what it is at 2300ft.

Froggie | Picayune, MS | http://www.ajfroggie.com/roads/

.

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