Where have you seen wind farms?

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'm just curious to see if any of you have noticed any wind farms going up.

The only one I've seen of any appreciable size is off I-81 in N.E. Pennsylvania.

[Magic City Matt]

Their all over in Oklahoma. My grandmothers home in Weatherford which used to have little more than cattle farms on it is now occupied by huge fields of turbines. They have really done a lot with this technology. The turbines don't even make that whooshing sound normally associate with them in high wind anymore thanks to a clutch system that keeps them turning at a fairly low speed. This also helps protect birds and what not from any slice and dice action.

[Nalgene Ninja]

One of the 1st and most famous ones I've seen is in Palm Springs, CA along I-10. It literally goes for miles. I'm guessing since its nearly 20-25 years old some are fairly antiquated though.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I also saw some wind generator parts moving up I-81 this summer. The truck-long propeller blades kinda gave them away.

[toph]

Saw dozens if not hundreds on the drive through southern Alberta Canada near Waterton Lakes NP a couple of months ago.  I had no idea how large those things can be...

[astepatatime]

Yep, the farm in Palm Springs CA is huge.     Also, we lived in Fargo ND for a brief time, and they had two huge windmills.  I think they might have been private as opposed to being part of an electric company.  Suprising, as there is a constant 20-30mph wind that blows across the Red River Valley.  Seems prime for wind farms.

[Lostsheep]

I'm up here in IOWA right now and there are several (close to 100) between Des Moines, IA and Mason City, IA. The city up here actually has a contract with someone to install another 100 or so within the next 2 years.

The hotel I'm in actually has several of the windmill workers up here right now too. It's a pretty big business and I think it's pretty spectacular.

[bpitt]

I drove to Colorado last year (DON'T DO IT!) and saw several in west Texas.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I drove to Colorado last year (DON'T DO IT!)

Why not?

I'm something of a long-drive lover, and crossing the Rockies is one of my major trip goals for the next few years. However, a few people I know got themselves in trouble last winter when they failed to take into account that they CLOSE highways when the snow gets bad, but what can you expect from people who grew up without snow, and had to drive to see it.

[bpitt]

Well, when I went I had my wife, my 2 kids, and my in-laws with me, in ONE VEHICLE. I shouldn't need to say no more. I will recant my comment somewhat, if it had just been me and the wife, or even me, wife, and kids, it wouldn't have been so bad. The drive was awesome, when I was able to 'tune people out', if you know what I mean, and I mean no disrespect. I was amazed at the wide open spaces, especially when leaving Amarillo, TX and crossing over into New Mexico. Got to see Billy the Kids gravesite, that was cool. Did some flyfishing in the Rockies, that was way cool.

It was just crowded in a vehicle to have 6 people in it, even if it seats that many. Everybody has to stop for 'pee-breaks' at different times, etc. I'd do it again, just with less people.