I grew up in PA in the early 90's, and ticks were everywhere, even in the suburban woods we'd play in. About 25 years ago when my family took a trip to Chincoteague Island in VA, my little sister got Lyme disease.

Even in the late 90's, I must've brought a pregnant tick into the house with me, there were scores of them in my room one summer.

I now live in Anchorage Alaska -- and while there are no deer ticks, ticks that bite dogs have been steadily moving up the coast and are now here.

So I agree about numbers and range extending, but not the timeline you mention. Those suckers were everywhere on the east coast 30 years ago.