I just returned from a week in California. Not sure what to think of the whole experience.
\n1. It was 20 degrees F when I left Michigan
\n2. It was 75 degrees\u00a0F when I arrived in California
\n3. It was 75 degrees\u00a0F when I left California
\n4. It was 15 degrees\u00a0F when I arrived back in Michigan with a summer jacket and a car in the far end of the parking area at 6 am.
\nVerdict: The weather in California is fantastic compared to Michigan.<\/p>\n
1. In Michigan I\u00a0nearly chipped a tooth on the drive to the airport when slamming into a pot hole the size of a Volkswagen.
\n2. I do not remember a single pot hole the entire time in California.
\nVerdict: The roads in California far surpass Michigan.<\/p>\n
1. I ran 85 MPH all the way down I-94 to the airport in Michigan
\n2. I only had dreams about going over 40 MPH in California
\nVerdict: The traffic really sucks in California. Even on 10 lane roads it was really bad within 30 miles of LA.<\/p>\n
1. The sun was shinning and bright reflecting off the snow in Michigan
\n2. The sun was shinning and bright reflecting off the water and sand at the beaches in California
\nVerdict: No comparison to bright sun on sand and bikinis compared to snow and snowsuits!<\/p>\n
1. I can barely pay for gas in Michigan
\n2. I can even more barely pay for gas in California
\nVerdict: The cost of living is way to high in California.<\/p>\n
Overall: California is the place to be… if you can afford it and have lots of time to get around.<\/p>\n
Okay, enough.
\nIt was a great week, accomplished the goals at work, and got to enjoy the town in my down time.<\/p>\n
Visited some running stores (Road Runner Sports <\/a>and A Snails Pace<\/a>). Road Runner has “Shoe Dog” system where they have a pressure pad to see the sole of your foot (arches, etc.) and then a video camera pointed at a tread mill where they analyze your foot falls while running. Interesting to be able to see your foot “at speed” but in very slow motion. The system then pretty much shows if you are a “pronator” or not, and the flexing in the archilles tendon, etc. Ended up with a new pair of shoes and some “Superfeet” green insoles. Have put about 20 miles on them already and they do seem comfortable. I think the old Adidas with 600+ miles on them are now offically retired to the “wear for household chores” pile.<\/p>\n Also saw a number of educational attractions as well as tourist spots such as Graumans Chinese theater and the Kodak Theatre <\/a>in downtown Hollywood. A whole story here too! (Basically to me it was all “Hollywood theatrics” since the area is very small and not really much there other than pan-handlers)<\/p>\n Visited “the Getty<\/a>” and got a years worth of culture, Degas, Monets, Picasso’s and other famous paintings and art work. Actually I was just as impressed by the building. It is pretty amazing and the view of the city equally so.<\/p>\n Got hot dogs at “Pinks<\/a>” just off La Brea and Jody Maroni’s at Venice Beach<\/a>. Saw a few muscle heads at Muscle Beach<\/a>, but mostly I think they were crack heads, and street performers\/pan-handlers.<\/p>\n Was a week early for the return of the sparrows to San Juan Capistrano<\/a>, but enjoyed the mission\/museum and just walking in the sun and warm weather.<\/p>\n Got to see Saturns rings through the 12 inch telescope at “Griffith Observatory<\/a>, a beloved icon of Los Angeles and world leader in public astronomy. Since 1935, the Observatory has given tens of millions of visitors the opportunity to become observers.” The observatory was completely remodeled starting in 2002, costing $93 million, and on November 3, 2006 Building reopened to the public. Very nice indeed.<\/p>\n