Cryptic State Fill-In

Instructions: These clues are cryptic style. (If you need directions on solving cryptic clues, check the internet, “where all truth lies.”) Each clue leads to the name of a state in the U.S.A. and includes nickname for that state. If the nickname used follows the pattern “The _______ State,” then only the word in the blank might appear. For example, for Alabama, The Cotton State, simply “cotton” might be in the clue. On the other hand, for Montana, Big Sky Country, the clue should include “big sky country,” or at least “big sky.” (Different nicknames for those two states are used in this puzzle!)

As an added twist, you will not always fill in the name of the state; in nearly half the cases, you need to fill in the name of its capital city. Most of the time, you can make the right choice by seeing the length of the word; however, there are seven instances where the state and capital names are the same length, e.g. Atlanta, Georgia. In those cases, you will need to rely on the cross entries.

Across Down

2. Palmetto inoculators? Ha! Confusing! 1. Orange, for ornate ace

4. Monument colored light brown is a treasure 2. Mountain on the Pacific coast named Woolf

6. Reportedly, one can talk back to a sunflower 3. Show me misery; let me hear it

10. Hawkeye lives between Ohio and Washington 5. Hear game played by a pro; see as a volunteer

11. Variety, concern for centennial 7. It sounds like the road is toward the land in the ocean

13. Dark ink and sodium, the crossroads of America 8. Omani nest disturbed by gopher

15. Spud said, “A hole’s partly the answer.” 9. Evergreen cleanup, a lot of it

17. The lone star got his taxes mixed up 12. Magnolia is called Mrs. Hippy

19. Tungsten, half a string toy, and type of vase—that’s equality 14. In the land of enchantment, perplexed newcomer #9 not Republican

20. First of all, never ever be reluctant; inquire a corn husker 16. Page county after recently butchered hog, taken for granite!

24. Primary electrical pine tree 18. Yellowhammer: a lab with American Medical Association

25. Led in the wrong direction, knowing first 21. Silver Dan Ave. is twisty

26. “Last frontier?” Allen inquires (not second) of Andy (first) 22. Sounds like “large barge” an’ “handy hand tool” are natural

27. Flickertail, a.k.a. Dot T. Horn, is creative 23. Kenneth Rapier: “Finally, finally bluegrass.”

29. Shout, “O.K., data baffled Coyote!” 27. Clam: new variety of cow

31. Hat on backward after sounds like you had a beehive 28. Tarheel Carol in a strange thorn

32. Buckeye greeting between rounds 30. Unused artificial intelligence backed up is old dominion

35. Mr. Onassis sleeping on a copper 33. All right, Los Angeles starts to help observe more actors sooner

36. Beaver indicates “No gore, maybe...” 34. If Carolina is confused, that’s golden

37. Some of Milli Vanilli, noisy on the prairie 38. Aggie or diced peach

41. Attach, then I unattach nutmeg 39. Veteran has perplexing morning at Green Mountain

43. Queen Maria Country is free 40. Child of the Mississippi, Abbott’s partner is initially in all night activity

45. Wolverine, Mitch, and I (with no time) nag back 42. Funny western: artificial insemination, initially in Paradise

46. Dairy outlaw transgression after unfulfilled wish 44. Empire Wyoming between Northeast and Rural Kansas

47. Mustache’s asst. baffled at the bay

48. Keystone penitentiary ’n electrical products

Solution

Across		Down
2.	Palmetto inoculators? Ha! Confusing!	1.	Orange, for ornate ace
4.	Monument colored light brown is a treasure	2.	Mountain on the Pacific coast named Woolf
6.	Reportedly, one can talk back to a sunflower	3.	Show me misery; let me hear it
10.	Hawkeye lives between Ohio and Washington	5.	Hear game played by a pro; see as a volunteer
11.	Variety, concern for centennial	7.	It sounds like the road is toward the land in the ocean
13.	Dark ink and sodium, the crossroads of America	8.	Omani nest disturbed by gopher
15.	Spud said, “A hole’s partly the answer.”	9.	Evergreen cleanup, a lot of it
17.	The lone star got his taxes mixed up	12.	Magnolia is called Mrs. Hippy
19.	Tungsten, half a string toy, and type of vase—that’s equality	14.	In the land of enchantment, perplexed newcomer #9 not Republican
20.	First of all, never ever be reluctant; inquire a corn husker	16.	Page county after recently butchered hog, taken for granite!
24.	Primary electrical pine tree	18.	Yellowhammer: a lab with American Medical Association
25.	Led in the wrong direction, knowing first	21.	Silver Dan Ave. is twisty
26.	“Last frontier?” Allen inquires (not second) of Andy (first)	22.	Sounds like “large barge” an’ “handy hand tool” are natural
27.	Flickertail, a.k.a. Dot T. Horn, is creative	23.	Kenneth Rapier: “Finally, finally bluegrass.”
29.	Shout, “O.K., data baffled Coyote!”	27.	Clam: new variety of cow
31.	Hat on backward after sounds like you had a beehive	28.	Tarheel Carol in a strange thorn
32.	Buckeye greeting between rounds	30.	Unused artificial intelligence backed up is old dominion
35.	Mr. Onassis sleeping on a copper	33.	All right, Los Angeles starts to help observe more actors sooner
36.	Beaver indicates “No gore, maybe...”	34.	If Carolina is confused, that’s golden
37.	Some of Milli Vanilli, noisy on the prairie	38.	Aggie or diced peach
41.	Attach, then I unattach nutmeg	39.	Veteran has perplexing morning at Green Mountain
43.	Queen Maria Country is free	40.	Child of the Mississippi, Abbott’s partner is initially in all night activity
45.	Wolverine, Mitch, and I (with no time) nag back	42.	Funny western: artificial insemination, initially in Paradise
46.	Dairy outlaw transgression after unfulfilled wish	44.	Empire Wyoming between Northeast and Rural Kansas
47.	Mustache’s asst. baffled at the bay
48.	Keystone penitentiary ’n electrical products