Still a little "California Dreaming"

San Francisco skyline

Fifteen or 20 years ago, my desire upon retirement was to move to the West Coast.

Well,  not permanently, but maybe for perhaps, a two-month stint each year.

I like the way the cool winds blow in off the Pacific, and the usually low humidity. 

Of course, there is also the beauty of the place. 

I was most familiar with the state which cab be described but some as being along the Pacific coast between Mexico and Oregon. (Following Hurricane Katrina, someone in TV described Mississippi as “that land mass between Louisiana and Alabama) without ever saying the name of the state.

I find it is hard to say the word nowadays, because people make disparaging remarks about that state, mainly because of their politics and a few other things.

But I can’t help it.

As a geographical area, I like California.

A trip to southern California as a pre-teen introduced me to the low humidity.

Back home, involved in the same kind of activities, I would be dripping wet. In Rosemead at the time, not so much.

Then years later after marriage, we spent a month in the state, two weeks of that camping in Yosemite.

It was heaven. Today, not so much because of the increased crowds.

We’ve been to the Golden State more than 20 times, mainly visiting the northern half.

And when I look at pictures I filed on my Apple Mac Book Pro, I still have the yearning.

When gasoline back in the 70’s was still in the 80-cent range, I remember almost having a heart attack when I had to pay $1 a gallon just south of Monterey.

My first cappuccino was an enjoyable drink in San Francisco at the foot of the Hyatt Regency.

But as one ages, desires change.

But even so, I still long for the drive down Highway 1, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, taking the Tiogas Pass Road from Lee Vining through Yosemite over to the Coast and of course enjoying the cable cars going halfway to the stars.

Maybe one day I'll wake up.

I hope not.

Next post: March 1, 2016