There been a post making the rounds on Facebook asking
people to identify how many states in the U.S. they’ve visited. My tally is 33…
so far… much of that thanks to Uncle Sam moving us around the country when my husband
was in the Air Force.
Some of the states we only passed through with little
chance to do more than form a fleeting impression. Other states we either lived
in – or visited for a week or more – so formed lasting memories.
This is part of an occasional series of states I’ve
visited and trips that earned a place in my heart.
Since I was born and raised in California, I’ll start there.
The Rose Parade in Pasadena
I grew up in Southern California so it was easy to pile
us all in the car early on January 1 and drive to the parade route. We haul our
folding chairs and blankets to a spot along the curb and watch the magnificent
floats go by. Seeing them on the television is one thing – but in person,
towering above you – that is something else. Mom would pack hot chocolate and
donuts (I highly recommend you bring food, since it can be hard to find
anything along the streets). I took my own children a few times and it’s an
experience that transcends generations.
Mammoth Lakes
Once the children have grown into adulthood, it’s often
more difficult to pull them away from their busy lives and spend some quality
time together. My daughters and I rented a condo in Mammoth for a week one
summer and did some quality bonding. The town was the perfect base for day
hikes and is about an hour’s drive to the east entrance to Yosemite which meant
we could squeeze in a day trip there as well. Luckily my girls are good sports
and indulged their mom’s love of nature.
Driving up Highway 101 North of San Francisco
In my early 40’s I realized that I had never visited the
Redwoods and decided to correct the situation. I talked one of my daughters
into joining me for what I thought would be a camping trip. I discovered that
many of the campgrounds along Highway 101 are designed for RVs and not tents so
– do my daughter’s delight – we did end up spending most nights in a motel. The
drive is both breathtaking and soothing. I just wanted to take big gulps of air
as we drove through this incredible scenery. The trip is also a bit like taking
a step back in time as you pass through a number of small towns – no freeway
by-passes – so it felt very much like the road trips of my youth where you had
to slow down and take a good look at the world and people around you.
Places you should add to your itinerary in San Francisco
Everyone visits Fisherman’s Wharf and China Town but I suggest
you make the time for the Alcatraz tour. In a weak moment I agreed to take my
daughters and one friend each to a New Kids on the Block concert in San
Francisco – but, there’s always a but, right? – they had to agree to some
educational activities during our stay. They grumbled but ended up fascinated
by the experience. You can almost hear the ghosts of past inhabitants. On
several other occasions I’ve moseyed on over to the other side of town and
spent some quality time in the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. Relax,
sip some tea, and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the space. Not too far
away is the de Young Museum so you can make a day of it.
Yes, I love Disneyland and other tourist draws like San
Diego and Santa Barbara and the wine country of Napa, but there’s more to this
beautiful state.
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