Amy Oppelt didn't intend to react with such unfiltered honesty when she first saw the smokestack skyline along our Lake Michigan shoreline.
"Oh my!" she gasped before politely commenting on our Great Lake.
She viewed an aerial glimpse of steel mills, oil refineries and belching pollution while staring out from a window of a private jet.
Oppelt, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colo., didn't expect to see such an industrial landscape as we prepared for landing at the Gary/Chicago International Airport in May. Her reaction came from her gut, not her head. I couldn't help but notice.
"Welcome to Da Region," I joked, trying to put a better spin on the situation.
This wasn't the first time I've had to defend or joke about the unsightly underbelly of Northwest Indiana, especially along most of the lakefront. I've done it too many times over the past 40 years or so, since my teenage years when I first started noticing outsiders' initial reactions to our corner of the state.
My first question to first-time visitors remains the same: "So, what do you think of this region? And please be honest."
Because I was born and raised here, I've never known what it's like to visit our so-called casual coast with fresh eyes and honest objectivity.
Earlier this year, when a group of travel agency reps from the United Kingdom visited Northwest Indiana, I asked: What did you enjoy most? What did you expect to see? And what lasting impressions did you have?
"I didn't expect to see such wonderful beaches and such great diversity in the landscape to such close proximity to Chicago," replied Cathie O'Dea, of Travel Counsellors Notting Hill in London. "I also didn't expect such a strong sense of community and a small-town feel."
"What impressed me most was the warmth and friendliness of the people, how much they welcomed us and their interest in us and our views," she told me.
When her clients from the U.K. imagine the United States, they typically think of New York, Florida and California, she said.
"With all your stunning lakeside beaches, it is possible to have a beach holiday flying into Chicago (rather than) flying to Florida or California from the U.K.," O'Dea said. "Indiana isn't just a small forgotten state. It is a place I will always remember with great fondness for its beautiful beaches, lovely scenery and friendly welcome. I will definitely promote this region to my clients."
Really?
I'm also intrigued by Northwest Indiana transplants who choose to live here. Last month, I met Bill Swisshelm, who lives in the Miller section of Gary after living for many years in other parts of the country, as well as in South Korea.
Swisshelm mentioned to me his idea of highlighting the fact that Gary and Detroit are linked via U.S. 12, which is designated in parts as the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway or Dunes Highway. He's looking for support to host an annual "Steel City-Motor City Route 12 Roll," inviting motorists and motorcyclists to drive the 254-mile, six-hour route from Gary to Detroit.
"Most people don't know that U.S. 12, which goes through Gary, actually begins or ends in downtown Detroit," Swisshelm said. "These two iconic American industrial cities have gone through similar challenges and both, I believe, share a bright future.
"My idea hopefully can help spur this revival by bringing visitors to an annual event, possibly in the last weekend of September," he said. "The goal, in addition to highlighting the revival of the two cities, is to raise money for local charities."
What do you think? Possible? Plausible? Would anyone sign up or show up?
In all my years here, I've never heard anything like it. For that alone, I like it, despite its obvious challenges. If you're a longtime area resident, you may be shaking your head. I understand. Part of me thinks the same thing.
Still, I like its novel approach to help, or at least highlight, these two beleaguered cities.
"It really is a gorgeous ride," Swisshelm said.
"I have already been in touch with the folks who run the US 12 Heritage Trail, which extends from New Buffalo, Mich., to Detroit," he said. "They are eager to provide participants with information on sites along the route, and we would add information on the Northwest Indiana stretch of U.S. 12."
"I really believe in this idea, and I think over the years it could evolve into quite an important annual event starting in downtown Gary," he said.
Such an idea would likely never come from a native like me, sorry to say. Again, this is the built-in downside to being born or raised here. We easily forget about this area's potential.
I asked transplanted readers their thoughts on moving to this area.
Several of them said their most immediate realization was how fast everyone here talks. Others complained about the immense flatness of our region. A few couldn't believe the striking dichotomy between farmlands and industry.
"The biggest change was how far apart everything is," said Jeff Lyons, who moved here from the Detroit area. "This area is based around farms, so everything is much farther apart than what I was used to."
"My first reaction was how laid back and casual everyone was," Kelly Umbs said. "And many more cigarette smokers here."
"The first thing I noticed was everyone seemed to always be in a hurry," said Susanne McConnell.
"I was shocked by the rampant sexism, racism and every other -ism, even by people who consider themselves progressive and open-minded," said Dorothy Warner. "I still don't feel welcome and doubt I ever will."
All I can tell her is what I told Amy Oppelt: "Welcome to Da Region!"