California Dreaming

[msmichelle]

On the way out to John Wayne airport some of my coworkers and I saw Tommy Smothers. He was with his security guard, hanging out watching everyone board, smiling and looking delighted. He flew coach too. It was pretty funny. He looks great. Interestingly, we didn't see any celebs out in the O.C airport like we did right here in ole Wisconsin

Comments

california does have pretty parts

[studentwoman]

Here I am, needing to do schoolwork, but was hunting around the journal site. YOur picture of the (U.S.?Sad to say but I've never been) capital is very pretty. I took some interesting pictures of Vegas and California last June while visiting relatives. We hiked in the Mojave desert, about one and half hours from Las Vegas and drove on up to MOnterey. The next day we saw the wonderful Redwoods on the coast. I would like to see Yosemite -- I am presently reading John Muir's book about a walk to the gulf and I will use some of it as a peer instructor in a grad class I am taking -- the state has a multitude of interesting ecosystems, but it is basically very dry. We even passed by fields being irrigated, which must be how they grow the tomatoes and other foods we eat here back East. I would like to visit again.

Re: california does have pretty parts

[studentwoman]

It's actually my state capital (Wisconsin). It's gorgeous and my kids love it, so I use it for an icon.
California definitely has its beauty. Northern California is gorgeous. Southern California as I understand it is desert land that was transformed, hence the ecological problems. It's pretty though.
Have you read anything on the Dust Bowl? The Worst Hard Time (can't remember author) is a great read about the ecological raping of the midsection of the US by mostly ignorant Western Euro immigrants in search of a buck. It's sad. They also cite Aldo Leopold in it...he's was way before his time in terms of conservationism.
Thanks for stopping by...

Re: california does have pretty parts

[msmichelle]

That was from me. :)

Re: california does have pretty parts

[studentwoman]

I am not as up environmentally as I should be. Actually, I am going to teach (really guide, as they are mostly grad students) a few classes on nature and the environment for my 'Appalachia in the Media' class. So I've read a bit of John Muir, Thoreau, Edward Abbey (he wrote about I believe it was Utah when he was a ranger there in the 1960s)and have heard of the book "Cadillac Desert" but haven't read it. I understand the Colorado River was diverted to satisfy the need for water in Los Angeles. Is that what you are talking about, or just the Depression era dust bowl? I think we have learned since that topsoil is a terrible thing to lose.