Minnesota - The Land of Lots of Lakes

I just put a Minnesota state quarter in a vending machine and looked at it briefly. It celebrated that they are the land of 10,000 lakes and it reminded me of a story...

I was on a business trip with a buddy of mine and we were flying over Minnesota and would eventually land for a short layover in Minneapolis. Looking out the window I noticed that there were truly lots of lakes out there. On our row my buddy was sitting on the aisle and between us was a guy from Minnesota. Here is how the dialogue went.

Me: Wow, there sure are a lot of lakes down there.

Minnesota Guy: (nods)

My buddy (what is Tracy up to?)

Me: They should call Minnesota the "land of lots of lakes."

MG: It's "10,000 lakes"

Me: I don't think there is that many, but it's still alot.

My buddy (oh no)

MG: It's "The land of 10,000 lakes."

Me: Yours is good, but I like mine better.

MG: No seriously, it's called the land of 10,000 lakes.

My buddy: Don't listen to him, he's yanking your chain.

MG: (to my buddy) I'm right, it's our state motto.

Me: Now I know you're joking, Minnesota is not a state.

MG: What?

This is what I do when I'm bored on a plane talking to a guy from Minnesota. I've had this same conversation with people from Minnesota on at least three different occasions. This from a guy who comes from the state of "lots of green trees."