"I don't mind not being cool." said no one EVER in California.
As I continue to wait out the bad weather, I am perusing the California Pinterest Boards. There is one thing I am reminded of when I look at all the pins. It may have its problems, yet nothing but NOTHING says "Cool" the way California does.
The state's name comes from a Spanish romance novel set on an imaginary paradise island called, California. The name seems to continue to mean "extraordinary" to this day! If you want to make something better, brighter, cooler...tag it "California". It's kind of the Elvis Presley of US States!
Need more convincing? Consider the following:
Ferrari CALIFORNIA Convertible
1968 CALIFORNIA Special Mustang
Convertible CALIFORNIA Car Beach Cruiser
Baja (CALIFORNIA) Bug
Affordable CALIFORNIA Housing
Disney's CALIFORNIA Adventure
Vans CALIFORNIA
This is probably a good time to mention that while adding the label, California, to tennis shoes, pizza, amusement parks, cars and houses makes them jump multiple points on the Coolness Factor Charts, it also makes them about 300% more expensive than say, Osh Kosh (Wisconsin) clothing. Because, really, what cool stuff ever came from Wisconsin? Cheese? Turns out California has the market on Cool Cheese, too. Don't believe me? Check it out...
One last thing to take note of is the California Cool food subculture.
CALIFORNIA Grilled Cheese
CALIFORNIA Hot Dog
CALIFORNIA Clam Chowder
CALIFORNIA Rolls
CALIFORNIA Eggs Benedict
CALIFORNIA Roll CAT FOOD!!
All of these meals and more have a distinctly California flavor to them. And by California, I mean "avocado". And by "Avocado", I mean, "add 2.00 to any menu item". Just another pitfall of enjoying the special culture that is California.
I have to admit, all this cruising Pinterest is leaving me hungry (literally) for California! I need to work on planning some more. What is your favorite California Cool?
"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." ~ Steve McQueen
If you have been reading my blog recently, you know I am gearing up for a trip out West to the Golden State of California. I have prepared for packing fiascoes, airport issues and flying hassles. I thought I was done planning the bulk of my trip when I realized one thing - Butterfly and I want to go to San Francisco's Chinatown and we don't have a car.
Now, I am researching one-day car rentals to get into the City for some good food, interesting shopping and art gazing. Turns out, renting a car for use in San Francisco isn't as straightforward as renting a car in say, Kansas. The hills in San Francisco require that you consider your rental carefully, while also brushing up on special circumstance driving tips.
Here is what I have learned so far:
Because of the hills, drivers in San Francisco need to remember the basics of parking. Most visitors to the City don't live on hills like the ones found in San Francisco, so it is important to become reacquainted with how to park on them. When parking on a down hill, turn your wheels toward the street. When parking uphill, turn them the opposite way. Or is it the other way around? I can never remember and I just read the parking tips five minutes ago! I am going to avoid the decision all together and park at this lot where my car will be safe from downhill rolls and other cars.
Hills also propose a problem for people when they are driving....unless you are Steve McQueen. I am thinking when I go to San Francisco, I am going to rent a Mustang 2008 Bullitt Edition. Because surely, if Ford has gone through all the trouble of re-releasing the Mustang Fastback to glorify and memorialize the 1968 car, they want us to drive it like the original, too. At least, that is what I am counting on! Me and Butterfly on the Streets of San Francisco. Just like Steve! Oh yeah.....
Travel BUMMER alert! You cannot rent a 2008 OR even a 1968 Mustang Fastback to drive in San Francisco. But, wait til you see what you CAN drive in San Francisco! I am thinking this is our best option for touring the city. Parking will be no issue, no engine to worry about stalling...AND...we already own one Big Wheel, that Butterfly can use. Now, if I can just get my hands on a Scootcase, I will have something to ride, too!
I need to find an American distributor of the Scootcase so I can go test drive one for handling on curves and hills! If you have a lead, let me know. Right now, I
