Maine wakes you up cold in October, the high tide spraying waves that feel like they should already be frozen. Buffalo is a slower chill with the bordering lakes. It's hibernation-quality cozy. Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois are still very active at this time of year - every farmer has their combine out for the harvest, and you can see each day's stopping point based on the rows of picked corn. Missouri is a stretch of extended suburbs from St. Louis to Kansas City, and there's barbeque that exceeds already lofty expectations waiting in KC. Kansas is an endurance run across nearly empty cattle pastures.