(no subject)
As a native of California, one of the most common questions asked of me the 9 years I lived in Utah was, "how do you like the snow?" "I grew up with snow," would be my reply. "But," the confused response would come, "you said you grew up in California?" Another common question when I revealed the state of my youth; "So, you're a surfer?"
It's a tired, old news story: the failings of the United States educational system in many subjects, including geography. So many people I met, mostly college students, thought (and probably still think) that California is a state that sits on the beach. I type from a seat in some of the most rugged country in the west. And, between the Ocean and this seat exists an even more rugged landscape; a vast mix of volcanic and coastal mountains make a formidable foe when it comes to travel. In this country, even if by car, it takes a while to get anywhere...
Tonight I'm not worried about that. I have a hot fire in the stove and I'm locked in until tomorrow. There's 20 inches of snow on the ground, with more coming. It's 3 degrees outside and I'm going to bed.
It's a tired, old news story: the failings of the United States educational system in many subjects, including geography. So many people I met, mostly college students, thought (and probably still think) that California is a state that sits on the beach. I type from a seat in some of the most rugged country in the west. And, between the Ocean and this seat exists an even more rugged landscape; a vast mix of volcanic and coastal mountains make a formidable foe when it comes to travel. In this country, even if by car, it takes a while to get anywhere...
Tonight I'm not worried about that. I have a hot fire in the stove and I'm locked in until tomorrow. There's 20 inches of snow on the ground, with more coming. It's 3 degrees outside and I'm going to bed.