Sunday, November 27, 2022

Which State Do People Love To Hate?

We've just had a run of unbelievably beautiful weather. 

It's even more amazing considering it's early winter. Gorgeous sunny skies. Snow-covered mountains. Winter days in California are often beyond perfect. And summer days in much of California are temperate and have low humidity. Like Italy in Europe, California may have the best weather in the United States. Add California sights to the weather, and it's a pretty sweet combination.

Yet I've seen multiple media stories about how much people love to hate California.

One wonders why.  

Yes, we have high taxes. But if you do a Google search on states with the highest overall tax burden, you find that by many measures, New York, Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Oregon and even Minnesota have similar tax burdens, maybe even higher.

Yes, we have lots of stuffed-shirt politicians. It could even be argued that some of our politicians are certifiable idiots. But that's the same as every other state.

Yes, we have terrible forest fires and earthquakes. But we don't have tornadoes or hurricanes.

Yes, we have lots of people and the traffic that comes with them. But take an area of equal size on the East Coast and it will have twice as many people and the traffic to match.

Yes, we have very high housing costs. But we also have the 5th highest income of all the states. And if you don't insist on living in the Bay Area or L.A., you can find houses at semi-reasonable costs.

Yes, we have the largest tech companies in the world, Apple, Google, Facebook, and those companies can irritate millions on a continuous basis. But do people want to give up what those companies provide?

I'm guessing that much of the reason some people have antipathy for California is shown in these photos. I'll sum it up in a single word at the end of this post.

Do people hate California beaches? I think not.

Redwoods, the world's tallest trees?

Tahoe, the most beautiful, purest, high altitude lake in the world?


Mount Whitney, highest mountain in the lower 48 states?

Some of the best surfing in the world?

Some of the best skiing in the world?

Some of the most beautiful coastline in the world?


Some of the grandest city views in the world?

Yosemite, with several of the highest cliffs and waterfalls in the world?


So what is the reason why anyone would love to hate California?
One reason might be envy...




Sunday, November 20, 2022

Biggest Holiday Travel Season In Years

The Tahoe Tribune ran an article saying that travel business experts believe we're about to have the biggest travel season in many years, maybe ever. If you don't have your reservations, you might need to hurry up!

Here's the article:

https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/officials-predict-holiday-travel-will-be-busiest-in-recent-history/

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Ski Areas Open?! Yes!

 Current news is that Heavenly, Northstar, and Kirkwood are opening early. As always, check the websites before you go. In this new world, you have to purchase your tickets online and in advance. You can't just show up and expect to ski. But the new advance purchase means fewer crowds, so it's a good thing.


https://www.skiheavenly.com/


https://www.northstarcalifornia.com/


https://www.kirkwood.com/

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Two Big Events Coming

The San Mateo Harvest Festival is coming next weekend, Friday November 11 through Sunday Nov 13. 

The show is in the San Mateo Event Center on Saratoga street. The hours are 10 - 5 Friday and Saturday, and 10-4 Sunday.

The following weekend will be the Sacramento Harvest Festival, November 18, 19, 20. 
The show will be at Cal Expo, and the hours are the same. I hope to see you at either show!