When my youngest daughter called to tell me she fractured her elbow, I knew that she would need help. Three kids, no washer and dryer, can't drive -- disaster! So, I set out from Nevada City to Huntington Beach...about 530 miles, one way. Here are some observations from the trip.
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Best bumper sticker: "God Bless the Whole World. No Exceptions."
Weirdest bumper sticker: "Someone I Love Was Murdered." (Seen on an LA freeway)
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State of our state's highways: Freeway maintenance has fallen by the wayside in these tough economic times. There is virtually no maintenance; trash is visible and ugly; the shoulders are full of shredded tires and bits and pieces of tires. California is such a beautiful state and I felt bad for how it looks to someone traveling up and down its length. Too sad.
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Bakersfield has embraced its country western roots. There is a street named after Merle Haggard and another after Chet Baker.
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If you think the economy's bad here, stop along some towns that dot the 99 Freeway. Earlimart would be one example. It looked like time stood still in 1950, and not in a good way. Judging from my cursory glance, unemployment is about 50%.
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If a freeway sign says "downtown" or "business district" you can guarantee that you will drive for miles without seeing signs of life. The downtown has moved, in most cases, and freeway signage hasn't kept up.
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Those little stands at gas stations that hold water and squeegee's to wash your windows are still there, minus the squeegees. Are they valuable? I stopped at 2 different gas stations to wash my windows and there were no squeegees to be found. The third gas station had one, only. And they were big, brand name gas stations, too. No corporate oversight?
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There is an actual kid's toy named "Fart in a Jar." It is full of green gooey stuff. If you put a finger in
the jar and pull it out, the jar makes farting noises. If the 4 year old you're babysitting dumps the jar on your teenage grandson's head, it is a sticky, gooey mess that is almost impossible to get out. Trust me on this one.
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If you are out of Nevada County for a week and ask what news occurred while you were gone, everyone will say "Nothing really happened." Even if it did.
Daughter and her elbow are OK, but she still can't drive and who knows when she can work? Of course this would be the daughter with 3 kids, and the one who has a kid w/ cystic fibrosis.
Posted by: Dixie Redfearn | August 07, 2009 at 03:43 PM
Welcome Home!!!
How's the daughter and her elbow?
Posted by: Tom | August 03, 2009 at 11:38 AM