Pretty. I wouldn't dream of denying California its due for natural beauty. Pity the government sucks. On the other hand, you should really check out a Texas state site for tourism. Our beaches aren't the west-coast dramatic type, but we've got 'em, and the Davis mountains are comparable to what you've got.
I was about to say: you might have to take a weekend road trip, but we definitely have the mountains; and the beach I've been to down by Corpus on the National Seashore was pretty awesome. And Jim, have you ever petted a baby sea turtle?
Heh. When's the last time you went up into those mountains?
And California doesn't have gorgeous marshlands, either... that's not the point. The point is that both are pretty, and there's plenty here for you to enjoy the hell out of.
Ok, I'm admittedly biased being a CA native. That said, I went to the TX wildlife site and yes - you can't deny that there is some really lovely nature in TX. But, the pure, frickin' majesty of the Sierra Nevadas can't be denied either and they have spoiled me for anything else. These photos, good as they are, are like 10% of what this area actually looks like. So, while I'm all over roadtrips to see TX's natural beauty, I'm gonna miss those mountains and the coast right outside our door. For me, nothing can compare. I'll enjoy Texas for it has, but I'll still look forward to seeing Northern CA when I can. And now I'll hop off the soapbox.
Um, actually Russ, that picture was taken this past Tuesday. I'm getting more successful at coaxing Maddie away from the cats (it's tough -- she misses them dearly if we travel).
Desert canyons are spiffy -- I'll definitely be visiting. But it still doesn't add up to CA. About the closest thing that I'm thinking of that begins to rival CA might be the Sangre de Christo mountains in NM. And, of course, Colorado has more beautiful road-trip inducing scenery than you can shake a stick at. But we're definitely going to TX for the people, not for a land so starved of beauty people stop their cars for flowers. :-)
Russ, the best indictment of TX geography came from your own lips: "Texas has a subtle beauty." You don't know how many coworkers of mine have laughed their asses off at that statement.
Nah. You forget my original thesis. The point wasn't to compare CA with other places, just that I'll miss living somewhere beautiful. From the sound of it, maybe I can take a field-trip to Guam too.
Well, if it's any consolation, your neighborhood is pretty darned spiffy, and once the Bunny and I get Maddy introduced to Texas climbing roses (like CA climbing roses, only ours need no maintenance), it'll only be getting spiffier...
And I have lived in Texas my entire life. We DO NOT have mountains like this. We have some, but they are different. And, honestly, I don't think it matters what Texas has that California doesn't (or vise versa), since this is a post about what you're going to miss, and not a post about why California is (or is not) better than Texas. :) In other words, Maddie, you should feel free to hop up on the soap box any time you want to. I'd probably feel the same way if I were moving out of state too.
And Chris, I was in the car with you. You LIKED the flat lands. :P :P :P
Oh, btw... was with James Baird this weekend, and he brought back some Wachita mountain fossils.
If either of you are into fossils at all, there is one category in which you'll have a lot of fun... the Wachitas are OLD. As in, Pangaea old. I have one more Kalamazoo to go to, and then I'm done on that front, and want to do more of this kind of travel, rather than hanging out with academics I don't know...
I never said I didn't like the plains.. Big Sky has its own attraction.. But nothing is going to compare to me to the beaches of California or Hawaii.. I'm not a mountain guy.. These things are pretty and all but its just big rocks that Californians like to big their houses on (until they fall off)..
BTW Rufie.. TOAST white? Isn't the point of toast that the bread is no longer white?
Methinks you have misunderstood the concept of toast..
I stand by toast-white -- light toast bits of sand with white bits of sand. Not tan, not white, somewhere in between. This is in contrast to toast-wheat, of course.... :-)
30 comments:
Pretty. I wouldn't dream of denying California its due for natural beauty. Pity the government sucks. On the other hand, you should really check out a Texas state site for tourism. Our beaches aren't the west-coast dramatic type, but we've got 'em, and the Davis mountains are comparable to what you've got.
I was about to say: you might have to take a weekend road trip, but we definitely have the mountains; and the beach I've been to down by Corpus on the National Seashore was pretty awesome. And Jim, have you ever petted a baby sea turtle?
Try here:
http://www.traveltex.com/
And by the way...wow...those are some gorgeous shots! ::sigh:: I actually know what you mean, I miss the scent of pines and forest too...
Where's the pictures of 3000 unwashed idiot Socialist hippies stinking of pachouli and bad catch phrases.. under the heading "What I won't miss?"
What I won't miss isn't important because I won't miss it. :)
Russ: TX has 7km mountains with snow still on them? :-)
oops -- forgot to divide by 3; that would be 7000ft mountains :)
Heh. When's the last time you went up into those mountains?
And California doesn't have gorgeous marshlands, either... that's not the point. The point is that both are pretty, and there's plenty here for you to enjoy the hell out of.
Here. Try this.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/big_bend_ranch/
No snow on it, but you'd have to be high on methane not to get a kick out of this place.
Ok, I'm admittedly biased being a CA native. That said, I went to the TX wildlife site and yes - you can't deny that there is some really lovely nature in TX. But, the pure, frickin' majesty of the Sierra Nevadas can't be denied either and they have spoiled me for anything else. These photos, good as they are, are like 10% of what this area actually looks like. So, while I'm all over roadtrips to see TX's natural beauty, I'm gonna miss those mountains and the coast right outside our door. For me, nothing can compare. I'll enjoy Texas for it has, but I'll still look forward to seeing Northern CA when I can. And now I'll hop off the soapbox.
Um, actually Russ, that picture was taken this past Tuesday. I'm getting more successful at coaxing Maddie away from the cats (it's tough -- she misses them dearly if we travel).
Desert canyons are spiffy -- I'll definitely be visiting. But it still doesn't add up to CA. About the closest thing that I'm thinking of that begins to rival CA might be the Sangre de Christo mountains in NM. And, of course, Colorado has more beautiful road-trip inducing scenery than you can shake a stick at. But we're definitely going to TX for the people, not for a land so starved of beauty people stop their cars for flowers. :-)
There really is nothing else comparable to California in the USA except maybe Hawaii.. As pretty as the Appalachians are, they don't hold a candle..
Texas is too flat.. That's why they wear such big hats; to simulate mountains.
Chris, I love you - just thought you should know :)
If you want mountains, the Grand Tetons are still a good bet...
but yes, Texas gives you big-sky country, and there's a lot of cool scenery in that.
(Lots of cool scenery that looks ass-ugly from the freeway, too.)
(and, for the record, Maddie, I agree, the SN is a hell of a pretty mountain range. My favorite part of the flight out...)
Russ, the best indictment of TX geography came from your own lips: "Texas has a subtle beauty." You don't know how many coworkers of mine have laughed their asses off at that statement.
That's because not a one of them has any clue about the Plains...
"If there were no laughter, there would be no Tao!"
Uh, yeah, that must be it.
I don't suppose it's occurred to you that they call them "plains" and not "planes" for a reason?
Heh, I've lived in Texas -- and the DFW Metroplex -- for 24 years now. And I *still* miss the achingly beautiful scenery of Guam.
Toast-white beaches. Crystal-blue, blood-warm water. Lush, green tropical jungle. Jagged-peak, black-rock volcanic mountain peaks. Sheer-drop lengths of pure-white waterfalls, falling into lagoons below... :-)
I think she's got us, Jim.
Nah. You forget my original thesis. The point wasn't to compare CA with other places, just that I'll miss living somewhere beautiful. From the sound of it, maybe I can take a field-trip to Guam too.
Well, if it's any consolation, your neighborhood is pretty darned spiffy, and once the Bunny and I get Maddy introduced to Texas climbing roses (like CA climbing roses, only ours need no maintenance), it'll only be getting spiffier...
ooooh, pretty!!!!!
Can I please rip off and paint some of these?
And I have lived in Texas my entire life. We DO NOT have mountains like this. We have some, but they are different. And, honestly, I don't think it matters what Texas has that California doesn't (or vise versa), since this is a post about what you're going to miss, and not a post about why California is (or is not) better than Texas. :)
In other words, Maddie, you should feel free to hop up on the soap box any time you want to. I'd probably feel the same way if I were moving out of state too.
And Chris, I was in the car with you. You LIKED the flat lands. :P :P :P
Oh, btw... was with James Baird this weekend, and he brought back some Wachita mountain fossils.
If either of you are into fossils at all, there is one category in which you'll have a lot of fun... the Wachitas are OLD. As in, Pangaea old. I have one more Kalamazoo to go to, and then I'm done on that front, and want to do more of this kind of travel, rather than hanging out with academics I don't know...
I never said I didn't like the plains.. Big Sky has its own attraction.. But nothing is going to compare to me to the beaches of California or Hawaii.. I'm not a mountain guy.. These things are pretty and all but its just big rocks that Californians like to big their houses on (until they fall off)..
BTW Rufie.. TOAST white? Isn't the point of toast that the bread is no longer white?
Methinks you have misunderstood the concept of toast..
I stand by toast-white -- light toast bits of sand with white bits of sand. Not tan, not white, somewhere in between. This is in contrast to toast-wheat, of course.... :-)
http://www.guam-online.com/gallery/gallery.htm
:-)
Not my thing, but I think Chris would love it.
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