When people ask where I'm originally from, I tell them first that
I had absolutely no control over where my mother was, geographically,
when I was born.
Then I tell them I'm from that "other country just south of Oregon".
Lived in Orange County, Valencia, Long Beach and finally Van Nuys
during the 27 years I spent in that state, but had also spent as
much time in the deep desert as I could. In the desert I could finally
relax, as I was away from the noxious din of a couple million people
living too close to each other, complete with all the assorted racket
that comes with them.
Moved to WA. in '87 to live closer to the soon-to-be #2 wife. My
parents had moved up in '83, and first time I saw my parents after
arriving here I chewed out both of 'em for hatchin' me out in that
godawful place.
Moved away from the big city life (which the Seattle metro area is)
in '03, and finally found peace and quiet in a little town of 800 that's
near the base of Mount Baker and is a gateway to the North Cascades.
Day we moved in I told my wife that by coming here it added at least 20
years to my life. I'm tryin' not to let her down.
Sitting out on the back porch this evening with a cup of coffee and was
serenaded by a couple of Bull Elk bugling insults at each other across
the river. This is living life at it's best.
Cheech, big cities are pretty much all the same, and if you really want
a change then perhaps consider a smaller town in Southern Oregon.
Good gold can be found there, and you're only a hour or two from
the motherload area of Ca. I've no idea of your trade, but if you do
you're homework and are flexible I've no doubt you'll find a way to
make a living.
My two centavos...