2331clk

I've wondered, do California people take their scenery for granted? The climate is one thing, but those mountains, cliffs, the ocean...

First time there, from the flattest part of the East Coast where we live (the shore), I couldn't believe the place. This is the US? Closest we have is the beautiful Maine coast, similar but with much smaller cliffs and mountains.

Around here everyone goes to Florida (how many times can you go to Disneyworld?), never venturing out West. It amazes me how many NJ people have never been to California. Other than warm winters, admittedly a big plus, FL to me is NJ with palm trees. Our vacations are often to CA. Been all over the state by now, still can't get enough of it.

Last time was a couple years ago, in SoCal (do CA people use that term, or is it like "Frisco"). Visited nephew, a Dartmouth student who, along with a bunch of his D friends, was taking winter term at UCSB (they must be on the same calendar). At the end they were in tears...he said had they not been at a school like Dartmouth half of them would have transferred.