Cities - Across America

Differences in cities can be felt not just by the weather temperature – Polar Vortex in NYC and wonderful warm sea breezes in LA. NYC has the iconic yellow cabs, continuous streams of buses North/South on the avenues or East West on the streets, sidewalks crowded with people people people everywhere, and food carts on every street corner. Ruthi's memories of NYC are always based in the Fall. That’s not the season she first saw the city but it is the one that always comes to mind.

LA has cars, cars, cars all hours of the day, massive parking lots outside the sprawling malls, people rarely walking anywhere and lots of outdoor seating at eateries. Ruthi's first visit to LA was a summer trip from Alaska but LA feels like summer, to her, all the time anyway.

Baby Boomer Motorcycle “Gangs” – EVERYWHERE

In our travels, we have seen multiple groups (gangs) of Harley-riding grey/white haired men (ok, and some women) in the camp grounds and on the roads. It’s like they finally have enough money or nerve to live out their high school imaginations. This is especially true, in the camping areas with great roads for cycles. Like Between Quincy, CA and Reno, NV or Quincy, CA and Chico, CA; from San Diego up to Julian, CA and then down through Ramona, CA back to San Diego. As soon as they stop for a break and take off their helmets, you can see the business man beneath the helmet, leathers, boots, and beautiful “stock” bike – not a “Hell’s Angel” among them.

But they are living their teenage dream, now in their late 50’s and early 60’s. Any later and their wives put their foot down or they lose their balance and have to stop on their own.