> Getting above an Interstate for the trip to Reno is a good idea. Back during
> the Eisenhower administration when the Interstate Highway system was
> mandated, the rule was that in each ten mile stretch, there had to be at
> least one straight mile of highway (where possible). This put thousands of
> 5000 foot runways all around the country for use by the military in the
> event of war with the USSR (for you young ones out there, our main potential
> foe during the Cold War).
>
> Of course, one hopes they never has to make use of such thoughtfulness, but
> it's nice to know.
>
> Dan Schaefer

FYI, This is one of those things that seems to get passed on just because it
sounds right. Go to http://www.google.com/ and search for "eisenhower
interstate emergency runway" and look at the results. Here are the first two
hits that are returned:

http://geography.about.com/library/faq/blqzinterstaterunways.htm
http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/mayjun00/onemileinfive.htm

--
Steve Waltner
swaltner@mac.com