Have you ventured out to Cali yet? I hear that’s what the locals call California, but then again, my buddy who resides in Irvine, could just be lying to me. Personally I’ve only been out to the beach state one time. Now I’m not going to say it was an awful experience, but it wasn’t the time of my life either.

In retrospect, I should have flown out there for a simple site-seeing adventure. This would be a bit more fun and exciting than what I endured. One thing I will say about California is that the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles hotel was pretty decent. I stayed there for a week and a half, and have no complaints.

So there I was, on a flight to Los Angeles, California. It was December, 1995, and the runways were icy. Our fight actually left a day late due to a nasty winter storm. Fortunately for us, we were headed to sunny California to stay in the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles hotel. Read more »

The south of Arizona has impressive mountainous scenery and a fascinating history. People searched for gold, fought gunfights and battled with the Apache and Cochise tribes. Globe Arizona, the county seat of Gila County, was a significant part of the region’s growth, having been established as a camp for the many miners and prospectors that converged there in the 1870s.  The economy still benefits from mining and tourists like to visit the area to learn about the history. The city is situated in the Tonto National Forest, a protected area of great value. The area has lots of lodge accommodation and many campsites and RV parks.

Early prospectors found silver across the region and clashed with the Apaches who were eventually forced from their traditional lands around Globe Arizona and New Mexico on to the nearby San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation in 1871. The reservation was once lived in by the famous Apache Chief, Geronimo. Today, visitors like to go on the Apache Trail and learn about their culture. The Jii Celebration takes place every October, when the current Apache population demonstrates art and crafts, food and clothing. Read more »

The oldest coastal resort in the US is said to be in the peninsula in Cape May County. The city of Cape May New Jersey was officially founded in 1620, and it grew in popularity with visitors because of the beaches and the number of Victorian period buildings. These houses and public buildings have been looked after with care and the city was given National Historic Landmark status in 1976.

This gives all the historic buildings the security of being protected for generations to come. The city offers a diverse mix of history, scenery and culture, with events enthusiastically supported by the local business community.

The population of around 4,000 is increased greatly in the summer season by tourists, tourism being the major contributor to the local economy. The area is also an important center for commercial fishing. Cape May New Jersey has the sole recruiting center in the country for the United States Coast Guard. The beaches have an unusual element in that clear quartz pebbles wash up from the nearby river. People like to collect them from the beach or buy them in their polished form from local stores Read more »

Known as the Gateway to the Delta, on the banks of the San Joaquin River in Contra Costa County, lays Antioch California. It’s one of the oldest towns in Northern California with a growing population of over 100,000. The town prides itself on being a very pleasant place to live with good, recreational facilities and employment opportunities.

Founded in 1849, the town has some very attractive early American and Spanish architecture in addition to modern development. There is a lot of affordable housing in comparison to the surrounding area and acres of parkland for residents to enjoy.

Nautical life is important to the town and the Fourth of July Independence Day is celebrated each year with a fireworks display and a floating boat parade. There is an attractive Marina in Antioch California, which the locals use to access the Delta. It has picnic areas, a ship’s chandlery and a pier. Read more »