8-9 September 2009

LA to San Simeon

Flight delays aren't a rare event in this day and age, but we've mostly been lucky in our travels. Not this time! Our flight from Brisbane was delayed more than 3 hours. A long day later we were in Santa Barbara, both in somewhat of a trance! Never mind. The weather was warm and sunny and even LA traffic was manageable. US highways are legendary. However, the legend is becoming a little tarnished, at least in California. In the 'land of the clean and the home of the green...' rubbish lines the Interstates and some surfaces are so bad that they would be closed down on European motorways.

Wild fires have ravished much of Southern California. It is dry here. Extremely dry! A smoke haze hangs heavy over the northern suburbs of LA and the country is tinder dry for hundreds of kilometers. Recession seems to have bitten hard here. The state of California is basically broke. Infrastructure is beginning to crumble and, in comparison to our recent memories of Europe, if California is any indication, the US is in a deep recession.

Highways US-101 and US-1 follow the Pacific coast north from LA to San Francisco, winding through small coastal cities and towns that are 'classic California'. Laid back and extremely friendly, these towns have a feel of home. It might be the ubiquitous eucalyptus trees, or the sun and heat, or the casual dress styles, we're not sure? Whatever! It feels great! Today we saw a restored 'woodie' surfer van parked at Pismo Beach. No bleached blond surfer dude, this lad. Instead, a grey -haired retiree, young, or at least younger at first glance “surfer chick” in tow. The Californian Grey Nomad?