California Dreaming

Spending a few days in “not-so-sunny” California. Just my luck that when I visit the state renowned for it’s near perfect weather I get gray skies, a cold snap and torrential downpours. Sigh. Yesterday was a little better. The sun was shining and the 60 degree temps felt like summer to me.

My husband and I spent a wonderful day with his aunt. I love everybody on that side of my husband’s family. They are loud and funny and loving people. We went to the Rose Bowl flea market, then had a wonderful dinner at a Mexican restaurant and finished the evening with a drive through Hollywood. Sad to say we didn’t see any movie stars but I don’t think they hang out in Hollywood anyway.

I love California. There is a certain attitude out here, a general acceptance of everybody and everything. Everybody is so easy going and friendly. Complete opposite of the mid-west where we hustle and bustle about as if we are all the only people on the planet.

A few oddities I notice about California.

The trees out here are different than trees I have seen anywhere else. The big trees with the white trunks are my favorite. I don’t know what they are called. Their roots are exposed and they look as if they are hanging onto the earth for dear life.

They have two story strip malls.

Even though the freeways are crowded they are really good drivers, at least compared to Michigan. They use their signals, they know what the left lane is for and they let people merge into traffic.

A lot of the buildings and houses in LA look like they were built in the 50’s and 60’s. Not having made it out here until the 90’s, I am guessing that California had big growth back then. I’m going to have to research that.

This is a wonderful place to visit but don’t think it’s a retirement option because the prices are too high. Flagstaff is still in the lead for that one.