When I was in Hong Kong, I remember people asking me what California was like and I, myself realizing how much of California I actually missed. Adding to that, I always told them that it was 2 hours to the snow and 30 minutes to the beach from my house although I had never actually taken a trip like that until today.

Today, I came down from the partially frozen Big Bear Lake, from snow and tall trees, and Jon's wonderful log cabin (with 13 beds) to the sunny beautiful albeit cold sunset of Seal Beach. The trip and the idea that I went to both sun and snow in one day was exciting and something I'd definitely love to do again. But as I was pondering the idea, I realized how little we Californians or even Americans travel. I'd always envied the Europeans for being able to travel to so many countries and so many places and they always seemed so interested in the US but I didn't understand why. Than after talking to people and foreign visitors I realized the answer.

Europeans and other foreigners travel to a lot of places and countries but that's because everything is so close. What it takes for us to drive from Socal to Norcal is the amount of time it takes for a German to make a complete circle of their country. And it's true. We always want to travel outward but many of us have never traveled our own country. I can count on one hand how many states I've been to and what I've seen in each state. There are so many famous and great landmarks in California and every other state but we've hardly seen anything. Once when I asked a friend who came from Japan what they wanted to do before they went home, they said to me that they wanted to see the observatory. I remember drawing a blank and thinking to myself, we have a famous observatory?!

We spend so much money traveling outside, a round trip ticket to asia is about 900-1200$. I think to fly to NY from LA is like 500$ roundtrip (at least to Boston is somewhere around that price). Then I would still have a couple hundred dollars to travel around the city, find a place to stay, and something to do. I think maybe it's time for us or at least me, to stop wanting to travel the world (although I would love to see Europe...and horray for couch surfing with the wonderful friends I've made in HK) I think it would wonderful and about time to see some of the great wonders of the US.

Places I'd like to visit in the next couple years (hopefully with friends *cough Misha, Jon, Pam* and family!

-California: Yosemite and the Redwood forest (I don't remember the last time I was there). Definitely more beaches and the deserts my boyfriend praises! and I guess Death Valley.
-Arizona: I hear there are a lot of great trails and places to go although research will be necessary! I'm not too interested in the Grand Canyon but since I don't remember it it would be a good trip. (I do prefer water...)
-Nevada: Vegas never bores (well it does but I want to see Cirque de Soleil and the shopping's good), and Tahoe.
-Colorado: I definitely want to explore the US's like healthiest state.
-Washington: Although I hate rain, I have this urge to visit this rainy wet state and see the luscious trees.
-NY: never been there, definitely want to check it out!
-Michigan: the great lakes!
-Texas: too much!
-Minnesota: Aquarium and Misha
-Hawaii: who doesn't want to visit
-Alaska
-Massachusetts: Boston! I'll find somewhere else to go in this cute state x)
-Canada: it's so close! I have to visit at least once!


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Thank you Jon for letting us use your wonderfully cozy and cool log cabin. It's the first time I've ever stayed in a log cabin or somewhere with snow! It was also the first time I have ever seen a partially frozen lake, snow in the driveway and backyard, snow burying a car, and all those crazy old relics in the cabin. I really enjoyed it and I'm glad I got to experience this with you and your boys. It's definitely something I'll remember the rest of my life.

Labels: californication, traveling, US