On the flip side...what is great about your state?

[wondergirl9847]

Hey, that rhymed. Hee!!

So, we've all heard some misconceptions about states, but what great things are in your state? What can you boast about?

Texas has:

San Antonio (The Riverwalk is a fun, lively place to go. They have shops, restaurants, bars, and a mall. It's very romantic at night, you can take a boatride down the river...oh, and they filmed a scene for Selena there!)

Houston (we have a problem. Hehe. The NASA Johnson Space Center. I've never been there, but I'm sure it's pretty rad.)

Galveston (Been there many times. It's pretty cool. Moody Gardens is a neat place to go. Great historic homes to visit as well. Oh, and the ferry is fun to ride.)

Fort Worth (a very historic town. We have the FW Stockyards, Log Cabin Village, great museums, and Billy Bob's...the world's largest honky-tonk! :laugh: )

Austin (live music capital of the world. Nuff said. :) )

[Neal]

There's not really much to say about California that hasn't been said a gazillion times already, but my personal favorite thing about living here is the (mostly) fabulous weather... :nod:

[DeeGeMe]

South Carolina has beautiful beaches and amazing coastal marshes. We have great Southern food. The weather is pretty great most of the time. We're friendly.

[takenbythesky]

There's not really much to say about California that hasn't been said a gazillion times already, but my personal favorite thing about living here is the (mostly) fabulous weather... :nod:

I should have just said that. :)

-Justin

[ShamHy89]

On the flip side...what is great about your state?
Everything.

[GardenStateGirlie]

Where I live, i'm 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia (you can see the city from here), 3 hours from Washington D.C and 2 hours from NYC. I'm in the middle of everything and as much as I used to complain about having nothing to do, there really is a lot here :nod:

[dissention]

Everything.

:wavey: What he said.

I love my state because it's so progressive politically. Gay marriage is legal, we're going to have universal healthcare soon, great schools, it's just a great place to live. I take pride in the fact that we had the very first openly gay member of legislature, Elaine Noble, the first openly gay member of Congress, Gerry Studds (you could throw in Barney Frank, too), and the first transgendered elected official, Althea Garrison (even if she is crazier than a ****house rat). The feeling I get living here is that the majority of people truly care for others and want to let them live as freely as possible. Plus, we invented basketball. :p

[WelshWitchPMD]

Well, we have good food. Lots of great Italian food and seafood which other then clam cakes and chowder I really don't care for that much.

We have the ocean around us that is why we are called "The Ocean State"

Providence is a historical city and is the home of the Ivy League school Brown University.

Newport is a beautiful city in the summer months. Lots of restaurants and bars. It is near the ocean and is home to the Tennis Hall of Fame. John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in Newport but the name of the church escapes me right now.

Thats all that I can think of right now.

[pianogirl04]

Louisiana -- you can drive anywhere in the state (and sometimes back) within a day. It never snows (I have never seen real snow) except in Shreveport. Everything goes in circles -- if you get lost, keep driving and you'll eventually be able to circle back around. I know five different ways to get to the same WalMart. The farther south you go, the cheaper gas gets. And where I live you can turn out the yard light at night to go stargazing and you can play piano anytime you want. And there is nothing like having breakfast Sunday morning at the Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. Nothing. :cool:

[amber]

There's not really much to say about California that hasn't been said a gazillion times already, but my personal favorite thing about living here is the (mostly) fabulous weather... :nod:
Dude, the variety and beauty of Landscape here is awesome. big trees, tahoe, the desert down south, the rivers in the central valley, so many beautiful foothill places, ocean coast from top to bottom...we can grow so much stuff, too :p hehehe. And, it's so easy to change your weather with just a couple hours drive!

[Merf]

:wavey: What he said.

The feeling I get living here is that the majority of people truly care for others and want to let them live as freely as possible. Plus, we invented basketball. :p

Add that to the list of the many reasons why I'm planning to move to Boston once I finish nursing school.

North Carolina? We have everything. We have beautiful mountains & beaches. We have world-class public and private universities (I went to the school that was consistently rated the "best value" of all universities for the quality of education you get). We have nice weather here (most of the time) however, come here in August? You might not be that comfortable. Charlotte is very metropolitan if you want more of an urban scene, Raleigh is that way as well. The Outer Banks are a national treasure. Oh and who can forget the Biltmore Estate in Asheville? Beautiful. ;)

[ontheEdgeof17]

WV.......hmmm, This is a tough thread to answer.


Well, we have beautiful landscape. We have no major cities, so the hussle and traffic is slim to none here. The birthplace of Mother's and Father's Day is in WV. Oh, and we are the home of Jennifer Gardner and Mary Lou Retton. :wavey:

[estranged4life]

Oklahoma-Four different environments in one state; Desert climate in the SW, Prairie climate in the NW, Forest in the SE, Lush hills & lakes in the NE...Plus a ton of vacation spots that are in-expensive.

The cheapest priced gasoline in the US, In OKC it is at $1.59 a gallon at a few stations.

OKC-The revitalized downtown...The 20,000+ seat Ford Center, which ranks in the Top 10 of the best arenas for concert attendance is a prime example, No more trips out of state to see MAJOR recordings artist.

The whole "Bricktown" area (Which the Ford Center is part of) is a drawing factor now, Along with the Bricktown Ballpark (Home of the Oklahoma Redhawks-The Texas Rangers Minor league affiliate), Shopping/Dining of the Bricktown retailers & the ever expanding "Canal" (Ala the San Antonio "Riverwalk") OKC has finally rose above being considered the "Second City" of Oklahoma (Surpassed Tulsa)

Brian j.

[AliP]

hmm, well to begin, Idaho is definitely not for everyone (I know everyone is thinking, there's no way I'd move there! lol and I don't blame ya).

You have to love the outdoors, plain and simple. The thing I love is there I usually only have to drive approx 20 miles or less to be in the mountains to go biking, jet skiing/boating, or snow skiing. It's beautiful. Very slow paced lifestyle if you like that sort of thing and not alot of people. Boise is growing alot so that offers the big city life. (of course, not really THAT big) There are some resorty type towns here such as Sun Valley/Hailey (where Demi Moore and all the richies live) and then there is Couer d' Alene which is very resorty as well and probably has the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. Of course, you really need to know how to snow ski if you live in Idaho because we only have two seasons here Summer and Winter (and winter lasts for 9 months). But there are a whole lot of great ski resorts here for that. So it's definitely for someone who loves the outdoors and wants to escape that fast paced lifestyle. Not for everyone. Not for me, I'm outta here!

[greatdarkwing]

Florida...

Well, South Florida has the wonderful beaches and coral reefs for swimming and diving. Oh, and Jimmy Buffet, the Florida god.

Middle Florida has Orlando and its awesome theme parks, Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach!

North Florida has...well....oranges :thumbsup:

~Alex

[GateandGarden]

Louisiana

-crawfish (if you like that kinda thing)
-rich food that actually has taste to it
-diversity (except we don't appreciate it)
-swamps/bayous (wetlands are biologically important, but, uh, don't ask me to explain why or anything)
-Tony Chachere's (the most important seasoning I know of)
-Cajun/blues music

and
NEW ORLEANS!
(Need I say more?)

Hillary, tryin' to find the good stuff, knowing we'll never have gay marriage like MA

[markolas]

Austin is the only good thing about Texas. If I ever left Austin, I think I'd have to move to the east coast somewhere. I just can't stomach the rest of this state. And Austin isn't as cool a place as it probably was about 15 years ago.

[markolas]

Louisiana

-crawfish (if you like that kinda thing)
-rich food that actually has taste to it
-diversity (except we don't appreciate it)
-swamps/bayous (wetlands are biologically important, but, uh, don't ask me to explain why or anything)
-Tony Chachere's (the most important seasoning I know of)
-Cajun/blues music


Yeah, well...you're talking about the good part of Louisiana. Try to find something nice to say about Shreveport. I dare you :p

[strandinthewind]

Yeah, well...you're talking about the good part of Louisiana. Try to find something nice to say about Shreveport. I dare you :p

We will applaud when it becomes a part of Arkansas!!!!!!!!

I mean they do not call it SHREVEPIT for nothing :laugh:

[jadegypsy]

Well I live in CA, what more IS there, Just kidding!

Specifically: SF, the most awsome city, fairly safe (don't go S. of Market.) Golden Gate park, Haight, Embarcadero, Union Sq. SF Center, Fishermans Warf, Ghiridelli, Union Street, Maiden Lane, MOMA, Exploritorium, Cable Cars, Ferry, GG, Free Concerts in the Park, Pier 39...I could go on idefinitly, I LOVE this city. Oh and the ecletic assortment of people, Castro is so very colorful, and public transportation is and adventure :rolleyes:

LA: Venice Beach, so great for just stuff...Disneyland, Sunset, Malibu, and even Hollywood...

Monteray/Carmel: Shoes and Jewlery to DIE for! Whittest sand anywhere, and Nepenthe (awsome resturant). Oh and the Aquarium and Cannery row.

Santa Barbara: Soo neat at evening for outside dining, and such cute surfer dudes;)

Santa Cruz: Gotta love the Boardwalk...

Tahoe: Sigh!

Yosemite: SO BEAUTIFUL, a must see and hike up the mist trail.

Marin: LOVE the towns, the redwoods, the gorgeous hikes.

PEOPLE: yeah we are liberal, laid back, up tight, passionate, scientific, and private (in otherwords is it doesn't hurt me then carry on...)



Highway 1: A Stunning Drive

[amber]

Well I live in CA, what more IS there, Just kidding!

Specifically: SF, the most awsome city, fairly safe (don't go S. of Market.)
Unless you want to go to any fun bars....

[jadegypsy]

Amber: I meant alone, but with a group what the h*ll, although I am not a bar person (although had I lived in the 60s I would've pitched a tent in the Fillmore or the Avalon!), hmmm forgot to add North Beach, a place I must go back to on my own time not with a group of ppl who wanted to get home...

[amber]

Amber: I meant alone, but with a group what the h*ll, although I am not a bar person (although had I lived in the 60s I would've pitched a tent in the Fillmore or the Avalon!), hmmm forgot to add North Beach, a place I must go back to on my own time not with a group of ppl who wanted to get home...
ah. how long has it been since you've been there? Parts of SOMA have been yupped up quite nicely, and many of the hip bars are there...still, though, there's total scuzzy parts (of course). The Haight has hipped up really well, too, and ...****, i was gonna name that really good restaurant there, but i forgot the name! oh, well, i'm lame :laugh:

[amber]

Amber: I meant alone, but with a group what the h*ll, although I am not a bar person (although had I lived in the 60s I would've pitched a tent in the Fillmore or the Avalon!), hmmm forgot to add North Beach, a place I must go back to on my own time not with a group of ppl who wanted to get home...
North Beach is nice, you'll see real italian people working at the coffee and food places. Like, every waiter is a cute italian gay boy :laugh: And whenever my friend visits, she insists we eat at the Stinking Rose... :rolleyes: She's like "I gotta have garlic mashed potatoes!" :laugh:

[macmar71]

1.Being on the shoreline and with a decent stretch of path to walk along the water in West Haven.
2.Yale University, the museums and library in New Haven, Cutler's Music shop as well as some boutiques and shops like Chapel Sweet Shoppe and Group W Bench.
3.Some great concert venues of various sizes and locales~~The Arena at Harbor Yard, The Meadows, The Mohegan Sun Arena, The Oakdale.
4.The Casinos~~Foxwoods and The Mohegan Sun, not a big gambler but it is a nice time out to dine and shop.
5.That I am located between NYC and Boston, two fab cities to visit and only a train ride away!
6.The incredible eateries here ~~Seafood by the beach, great Italian spots, pubs that serve killer sandwiches and mixed drinks.
7.Old Glory Store in Old Saybrook where the grateful dead bears roam!
8.The Beach and The Mall in Milford
9.The Thimble Islands Boat ride in Branford is relaxing and interesting.

[jadegypsy]

Amber, its been a while, although I must admit walking to the Orpheum and the through GGPark I was surprised how much nicer it was...As for bars haven't been exploring, but will eventually. The haight, must get back there when I'm not with a guy (shopping is never high on their list), although Ameoba was great...Just wish I had more hippie/music orientated friends...

[sara1998]

Indiana

Well, we have some cool museums. :rolleyes: I love that we see all four seasons. That is a wonder in itself in my opinion. I love that the state and the living is somewhat "slow livin' ". The motor speedway is an interesting break in the monotony. Nothing like a race crowd, and the **** we in Speedway, Indiana have to go through on race weekends just to go to the store! :laugh:

Here's a question to all of you in Cali. I am visiting next year! This is my first trip. I have about a week. I want to go to San Francisco, visit the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, and spend the rest of the time in Santa Barbara. Any other places of interest you could direct me to?

And just for the record, I am reading these posts and paying attention, but if you only had a week, what should the priorities be?

[amber]

Amber, its been a while, although I must admit walking to the Orpheum and the through GGPark I was surprised how much nicer it was...As for bars haven't been exploring, but will eventually. The haight, must get back there when I'm not with a guy (shopping is never high on their list), although Ameoba was great...Just wish I had more hippie/music orientated friends...
I hear ya, dear. GGpark is gorgeous, I actually haven't explored it much! Me and my friend went to a beach where she used to play, and it was gorgeous, but it was so fricking cold and windy that we had to leave :laugh: seriously, the wind was blowing sand onto us and it was stinging...and fuggedabout your hair! I really always wish SF wasn't so fricking cold. It drives me nuts. I think i have to go to Haight soon, cause they have "Skate on Haight" and they have the rollerblades where the wheels detatch so that you don't have to take the whole skate on and off when you go into stores and stuff. oops, random segue... :p by the way, the clothes shops on haight are expensive... :rolleyes:

[amber]

Indiana

Well, we have some cool museums. :rolleyes: I love that we see all four seasons. That is a wonder in itself in my opinion. I love that the state and the living is somewhat "slow livin' ". The motor speedway is an interesting break in the monotony. Nothing like a race crowd, and the **** we in Speedway, Indiana have to go through on race weekends just to go to the store! :laugh:

Here's a question to all of you in Cali. I am visiting next year! This is my first trip. I have about a week. I want to go to San Francisco, visit the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, and spend the rest of the time in Santa Barbara. Any other places of interest you could direct me to?

And just for the record, I am reading these posts and paying attention, but if you only had a week, what should the priorities be?
do you want to see city things, then, not nature things? If so...(which i don't recommend :laugh: ) I dunno, I would plant my butt in Santa Barbara...BUT...the Monterey Bay aquarium is really nice. But if you're mainly gonna be down south, I don't have many suggestions. I actually prefer the more non coastal places of Cal., like yosemite, big trees, the various national forests and parks. You should try to drive along highway 1, it is breath taking.
I would recommend Tahoe, but it is out of your way, and it's naturey. If you do make it to SF...well, you might want to see the Haight and North Beach. What i would really do, is take a boat ride on the bay. But i'm not as into the touristy stuff. if you go to the piers, it's just touristy and has shops with crap in them. You get to see the sea lions, but...Also, in the main part of town is Union Square, which has tons of shopping and street vendors. Sesly, though, I personally think all the most beautiful stuff is inland, or coastally up north, by Humbolt. you should PM Tiff, cause she lives in LA, and ask her. Unlike the East Coast states, which have many interesting historical sights and buildings, I think our state is kind of new, and a bit lacking in those things. I think our greatest beauty is the landscape. :shrug: but with only a week, Santa Barbara is probably really nice. My friend just took a week vacation in San Diego, which is great. They went to sea world, and she has pictures of her daughter surfing... OOoo, maybe go to Carlsbad Caverns? I heard it's neat. And i think a trip to Catalina Island would be great, when you're in LA. Mostly i predict you'll be astounded at the humanity, all the different people, and how strange they are :rolleyes: :laugh: I have been since i moved to a city here! You might want to hit telegraph in Berkeley, cheaper shopping and street vendors along the whole thing. But you'll see some strangeness... :D You might want to hit Hearst Castle at San Simeon, then if you're driving up, Big Sur is great.

[sara1998]

do you want to see city things, then, not nature things? If so...(which i don't recommend :laugh: ) I dunno, I would plant my butt in Santa Barbara...BUT...the Monterey Bay aquarium is really nice. But if you're mainly gonna be down south, I don't have many suggestions. I actually prefer the more non coastal places of Cal., like yosemite, big trees, the various national forests and parks. You should try to drive along highway 1, it is breath taking.
I would recommend Tahoe, but it is out of your way, and it's naturey. If you do make it to SF...well, you might want to see the Haight and North Beach. What i would really do, is take a boat ride on the bay. But i'm not as into the touristy stuff. if you go to the piers, it's just touristy and has shops with crap in them. You get to see the sea lions, but...Also, in the main part of town is Union Square, which has tons of shopping and street vendors. Sesly, though, I personally think all the most beautiful stuff is inland, or coastally up north, by Humbolt. you should PM Tiff, cause she lives in LA, and ask her. Unlike the East Coast states, which have many interesting historical sights and buildings, I think our state is kind of new, and a bit lacking in those things. I think our greatest beauty is the landscape. :shrug: but with only a week, Santa Barbara is probably really nice. My friend just took a week vacation in San Diego, which is great. They went to sea world, and she has pictures of her daughter surfing... OOoo, maybe go to Carlsbad Caverns? I heard it's neat. And i think a trip to Catalina Island would be great, when you're in LA.

I sat here waiting for you to respond! I knew you would really soon! Thank you! I really am into the "naturey" things, and would like to see the redwoods! I actually have 2 weeks, but I'm spending some time in Arizona with a friend, and we are going to Cali together. I'm taking my daughter with me so I have to factor that in also. I'll have to research your suggestions. I'm in "research mode" now, so I can map out a plan!
Thanks again, Darlin'! :laugh: :wavey:

[DrummerDeanna]

Well since I just moved to New York recently I've not become attached to it yet...so I will answer for New Mexico - which will always be where my heart is :rolleyes:

-Great weather and if ya don't like the weather in one part of the state there is somewhere in the state that will offer what you're looking for :nod:

-the BEST - and I mean BEST green chile and Mexican food ever. Ever. :nod: It's amazing.

-Low cost of living (except for Santa Fe)

-lots of culture (music, art, literature etc...)

-Um...Julia Roberts lives there :laugh:

[77Rumours77]

Ummm... Kansas..... lemme think..
Nothing, nothing, and a little bit more of nothing! :thumbsup:

[amber]

I sat here waiting for you to respond! I knew you would really soon! Thank you! I really am into the "naturey" things, and would like to see the redwoods! I actually have 2 weeks, but I'm spending some time in Arizona with a friend, and we are going to Cali together. I'm taking my daughter with me so I have to factor that in also. I'll have to research your suggestions. I'm in "research mode" now, so I can map out a plan!
Thanks again, Darlin'! :laugh: :wavey:
oh, your daughter? you should hit the aquarium, and sea world, and if you make it to SF the exploratorium. I know, you have a long time to research. I was looking at a california road map while i was typing that. I'm like "hmm, she should probably do that, oh, and that" as i go up the map... :) My friend has 3 kids, all ages and she had a blast in San Diego. Oh, i guess Marine World is up this way, too.... :thumbsup: And if you stay more south, Big Sur is a nice substitute for Big Trees...

[amber]

Well since I just moved to New York recently I've not become attached to it yet...so I will answer for New Mexico - which will always be where my heart is :rolleyes:

-Great weather and if ya don't like the weather in one part of the state there is somewhere in the state that will offer what you're looking for :nod:

-the BEST - and I mean BEST green chile and Mexican food ever. Ever. :nod: It's amazing.

-Low cost of living (except for Santa Fe)

-lots of culture (music, art, literature etc...)

-Um...Julia Roberts lives there :laugh:
I want to go to New Mexico so bad...a guy at work has a house there, and i was looking at his pictures recently (aside from what i already knew) and i am dying to go...especially, Mexican is my favorite food...hehehe. I can't remember if his house is near Taos or Santa Fe, but...I think Taos, which is, of course, super cool, right?

[DrummerDeanna]

I want to go to New Mexico so bad...a guy at work has a house there, and i was looking at his pictures recently (aside from what i already knew) and i am dying to go...especially, Mexican is my favorite food...hehehe. I can't remember if his house is near Taos or Santa Fe, but...I think Taos, which is, of course, super cool, right?

Taos is where Julia Roberts lives :p - and I've actually never been there, but yeah it's supposedly one of the nicest places in the state...

Santa Fe is also nice - but expensive (though not compared to California) and a lot of celebrities end up there as well...it's a nice place I love it!

That said - if ya want the REALLY REALLY amazing Mexican food ya gotta go to Southern New Mexico for it - there is a distinct difference between Northern and Southern New Mexican food...and there's a bit of a rivalry when it comes to food between the north and south :laugh:

Anyway I never want to live in my hometown again - but I DO miss New Mexico so much- I miss being able to see the stars every night - I only had to drive a few miles to not have to worry about ANY light pollution...SO beautiful...sigh - now I"m homesick...December 18th can't come fast enough (I'm going home then for Christmas :D )

[amber]

Taos is where Julia Roberts lives :p - and I've actually never been there, but yeah it's supposedly one of the nicest places in the state...

Santa Fe is also nice - but expensive (though not compared to California) and a lot of celebrities end up there as well...it's a nice place I love it!

That said - if ya want the REALLY REALLY amazing Mexican food ya gotta go to Southern New Mexico for it - there is a distinct difference between Northern and Southern New Mexican food...and there's a bit of a rivalry when it comes to food between the north and south :laugh:

Anyway I never want to live in my hometown again - but I DO miss New Mexico so much- I miss being able to see the stars every night - I only had to drive a few miles to not have to worry about ANY light pollution...SO beautiful...sigh - now I"m homesick...December 18th can't come fast enough (I'm going home then for Christmas :D )
Ha, that's so funny there is a rivalry! though people here say the best mexi is in so cal. :rolleyes: It's weird how beans, rice, meat, tortillas, and salsa can be so different. :laugh: That homesickness reminded of this weekend. I went to wine country, and just kept staring at the stars. Just like the foothills where i grew up. Oakland is terribly overlit. :distress: I feel your pain, i would miss it, too...and i've never been there! I'm so glad you're going home for vacation. Welcome, the silence and beauty...the wonderful clean air smells...the random coyote and deer (that's what happens when i go home) The fact that there is absolutely almost nothing to do after 9 pm :laugh: (that's the part i don't miss as much).

[DrummerDeanna]

Ha, that's so funny there is a rivalry! though people here say the best mexi is in so cal. :rolleyes: It's weird how beans, rice, meat, tortillas, and salsa can be so different. :laugh: That homesickness reminded of this weekend. I went to wine country, and just kept staring at the stars. Just like the foothills where i grew up. Oakland is terribly overlit. :distress: I feel your pain, i would miss it, too...and i've never been there! I'm so glad you're going home for vacation. Welcome, the silence and beauty...the wonderful clean air smells...the random coyote and deer (that's what happens when i go home) The fact that there is absolutely almost nothing to do after 9 pm :laugh: (that's the part i don't miss as much).

LOL - So Cal Mexican Food - never had it - but NorCal Mexican food was not so good when I had it - I lived in San Jose for a summer...and I tried some Mexican food...blech...it was NOT good...well...it just wasn't what I'm used to...

I do miss the cleaner air...I miss the smells of the desert....a lot!!

*sigh* again...haha...AND even though I complained and complained about the heat - I'm already not liking this whole being cold all the damn time thing out here...but hey - I wished for a place with season...and I certainly got it...I can't wait til I can relocate west again though :nod:

[amber]

LOL - So Cal Mexican Food - never had it - but NorCal Mexican food was not so good when I had it - I lived in San Jose for a summer...and I tried some Mexican food...blech...it was NOT good...well...it just wasn't what I'm used to...

I do miss the cleaner air...I miss the smells of the desert....a lot!!

*sigh* again...haha...AND even though I complained and complained about the heat - I'm already not liking this whole being cold all the damn time thing out here...but hey - I wished for a place with season...and I certainly got it...I can't wait til I can relocate west again though :nod:
yep! I'm cold all the time, too, i can't wait to move to a place with summer. Wow, i'm suprised your mexi food wasn't good - I think we have good places, but, of course, i've never been to so cal, or NM...but, if there is a bunch of Mexican people cooking and running the place, it should be good, right? we have tons of those places. My favorite place has, like 12 different kinds of salsa :thumbsup: I don't like beans and rice though, I always get Carnitas...anyway, enough about how i could eat chips and salsa for every meal :laugh: You must be picky about your salsa, though, i am...my friend went to mexico, and all he could talk about was chicken mole... :p

[wondergirl9847]

Oh and who can forget the Biltmore Estate in Asheville? Beautiful. ;)

My dad and I went there a couple of years ago. It was magnificent! I'm a castle freak, so it was really awesome to me.

BTW, those who don't live in the States, please tell us what is great about your country. :)

[jadegypsy]

Hey Sara1998: Hope you don't mind if I add my 2 cents...I will agree that Santa Barbara is awsome, go there for sure...
BUT: San Simion with Hearst Castle is really neat, but only if your daughter is about 8+ yrs b/c lots of walking, although it is pricless to see zebras grazing with cows:)
In SF take a ferry if you can, and also a cable car...skip alcatraze it's overrated. Peir 39 is really neat and Ghiridelli has the best hot coco. Oh and Golden Gate Parks Conservatory of flowers is open!! Unfortunatly the museumes are under remodel and I'm not sure if they actually succeeded in closing the Japenses Tea Gardens. Oh and do the exploritirium instead of Meteron (however be aware the Exploratoriun is very kid geared, although the shadow box is really cool).

In LA: Hollywood is neat, but it probably won't take the whole day...GO to Disneyland (if you haven't been) but skip Universal if you have to choose b/t the two. As for beaches Rhodonda is neat along with Laguna, but skip Venice if you have your daughter with you (it's not the most sanitary of beaches).

If you are driving and need a place to stop b/t SF and LA do Pismo it's a great beach.

Oh and I second the Monteray Bay Aquarium, awsome place and Cannery row is right near there with tons of great resturants...

Oh totally off track but if you are driving and go past The Madonna Inn stop b/c they have the BEST desserts in their casual resturant...

Feel free to inquire about resturants, places to stay etc...Hope this wasn't too much info...

[Livia]

Austin is the only good thing about Texas. If I ever left Austin, I think I'd have to move to the east coast somewhere. I just can't stomach the rest of this state. And Austin isn't as cool a place as it probably was about 15 years ago.

AMEN! And Travis County elected Kerry! If I moved, I'd have to stay in a warmer climate.

[hayley]

I thought of something good about my home state of Kansas!, although really the credit should go to Missouri, but still.

If Kansas City didn't exist, the Shangri-Las would never have recorded "Train From Kansas City," Neko Case wouldn't have covered it on her new (f-ing amazing) live album, and I wouldn't be listening to it on repeat!

Oh! And it's also a great visual palate cleanser if you're heading west through it to Colorado. One needs complete flat blandness to truly appreciate the majesty of the Rockies.

As for Illinois, my current state of residence... there's Chicago and all the crap associated with it. And the historic birthplace of Ronald Reagan. And... that's it. I hate Illinois.

[sara1998]

Hey Sara1998: Hope you don't mind if I add my 2 cents...I will agree that Santa Barbara is awsome, go there for sure...
BUT: San Simion with Hearst Castle is really neat, but only if your daughter is about 8+ yrs b/c lots of walking, although it is pricless to see zebras grazing with cows:)
In SF take a ferry if you can, and also a cable car...skip alcatraze it's overrated. Peir 39 is really neat and Ghiridelli has the best hot coco. Oh and Golden Gate Parks Conservatory of flowers is open!! Unfortunatly the museumes are under remodel and I'm not sure if they actually succeeded in closing the Japenses Tea Gardens. Oh and do the exploritirium instead of Meteron (however be aware the Exploratoriun is very kid geared, although the shadow box is really cool).

In LA: Hollywood is neat, but it probably won't take the whole day...GO to Disneyland (if you haven't been) but skip Universal if you have to choose b/t the two. As for beaches Rhodonda is neat along with Laguna, but skip Venice if you have your daughter with you (it's not the most sanitary of beaches).

If you are driving and need a place to stop b/t SF and LA do Pismo it's a great beach.

Oh and I second the Monteray Bay Aquarium, awsome place and Cannery row is right near there with tons of great resturants...

Oh totally off track but if you are driving and go past The Madonna Inn stop b/c they have the BEST desserts in their casual resturant...

Feel free to inquire about resturants, places to stay etc...Hope this wasn't too much info...

NO! Not TMI!! I love it! Thank you for your 2 cnets!! I may wind up PM'ing you on some things after I do some "homework". :nod:

[cliffdweller]

Austin is the only good thing about Texas. If I ever left Austin, I think I'd have to move to the east coast somewhere. I just can't stomach the rest of this state. And Austin isn't as cool a place as it probably was about 15 years ago.

Agreed.

Yeah, the Texas Punk scene came and went. Then all the silicon valley yuppies infiltrated and it hasn't been the same since.

and is it just me, or is the U.T. campus made up of 90% Dallas/Houston privileged kids? What gives?!!?

[SuzeQuze]

North Beach is nice, you'll see real italian people working at the coffee and food places. Like, every waiter is a cute italian gay boy :laugh: And whenever my friend visits, she insists we eat at the Stinking Rose... :rolleyes: She's like "I gotta have garlic mashed potatoes!" :laugh:

Ohh, that place is so neat!!! Garlic rocks. I love how they serve a crock of roasted garlic and oil with their bread, mm mmmmmm... :blob2:

[skcin]

I love NY (heehee) because there's something for everyone: beaches, forests, lakes, mountains, rivers, gorges, waterfalls... There are tons of really good places to hike &/or camp in NY.

We also have NYC & Niagara Falls, two of the coolest places on earth, IMO.

I can't speak for the rest of the state, but we have great food in Buffalo - and it's not all junk, contrary to poular belief! My only complaint is that we're slower than other cities getting international restaurants here (ie: we only have 2 French restaurants, and Asian fusion hasn't been around very long here.)

The whole state is very diverse as far as race, age, nationality, etc. And we have excellent schools in NY, from elementary up through college.

Paula

PS - Oh, I almost forgot, over 60% of us voted for Kerry :D