Despite all its faults, California is home
The first time I drove into California in 1974, I came through Nevada to the eastern entrance of the Lake Tahoe area. I looked down into what I was sure was paradise and I was left breathless by the sight of the bluest waters and the most verdant forests.
My California love affair continued after I settled in the beach area of San Diego. There were lonely times as I tried to form roots in a new state, but summer nights when I happened upon a glittering beach of silver grunion or inhaled the scent of night-blooming jasmine wafting from an alleyway more than made up for it. I mean, where else do entire hillsides turn purple in spring? And where else can you grow just about any kind of fruit, flower or tree?