Lake Michigan had been to the west for the past 27 years.

That'd be weird.

But the Eastern (Michigan side) is prettier....

My experience of seeing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time was that it looked much smaller than the Pacific. My EC friends scoffed, but I realized later what I was missing. It was those expansive vistas along the beach and PCH.

I like oceans, mountains, desert, woods, green hills and brown hills.

In Olympic news - how is race walking not just slow, crappy running?

Calli, a lot of ~ma to your father. Good luck.

I need to remember that the ocean is Right There. It's all impressive and shit plus very calming with the waves and the white noise and the spray in your face.

Same. Only, you know, with the Mediterranean sea.

It does mean I'll have to buy a swimsuit at some point, I think. Sigh.

Good morning. Americans of one of the coasts, it's time to start thinking about going to bed.

ION, I'm about to see The Breeders today.

But the Rockies...man, they are gorgeous

Suzi, I was in Colorado briefly last month, and drove up to the top of Mount Evans with some relatives. It's an easy drive from Denver, and well worth it for the scenery. [link]

If you go in late September through October, the aspens turning gold make it marvelous.

I like overlooking mountains as well.

Real Soon Now I will upload pix of the Tetons from later in the trip.

Good Morning,Shir. Have you heard from Nilly? people are wondering if she is still sleeping?

have fun

even those of us on the far coast should see our beds soon

drove up to the top of Mount Evans

Nice! We haven't really explored out of the immediate area as yet. Once I have my own wheels, CJ and I will do more exploring.

Have you heard from Nilly?

Last time, 3 days ago. I'll try and call her today (actually, just did - because of your message, but no one answered), but I won't be surprised if she's still sleeping, poor thing.

Aw, go Gracie, (are we still spoilerfonting? why?) with the ice cream eating!

I love the openness around large bodies of water (the ocean, the Great Lakes, etc.). That's one of the things I miss when I'm back in the hill and tree constrained Triangle. It's like I can breathe a little better near the shore.

Oh, and see, the closer I get to the coast and the flatter the landscape gets the antsier I get. 'S why I love the west coast, because you have landscape, including trees and hills and rocks and things, right up to the beach.

H and I both love mountains. He likes to sit down on the flat and look up at the impressive mountains. I like to steal back among the trees along a stream bed in a hollow and tuck in, nest down, back to bedrock, safe.

I loved Holland to bits, Amsterdam, Edam, all the cities. But once in open country? Aaahhggghh. Oh look at those black and white cows--four miles thataway. Exposed as a fly on a pool table, no cover at all.

But as you say, different people like different things. I grew up midway between ancient mountains and the ocean, where there are woods and gentle rolling country. I love it, and I love the ocean, but I doubt I could live there. I love the mountains and they feel like home.

I need to remember that the ocean is Right There. It's all impressive and shit plus very calming with the waves and the white noise and the spray in your face.

I'm still always a little surprised when I walk up to the Safeway and realize the ocean's right there below me.

Although I grew up a lake girl, I love the ocean--looking at the water, walking on the beach, hearing the waves, and iconography (especially lighthouses, tall ships, sails). As long as I don't have to go in it. Partly this is because of a near-drowning incident at the age of 10, partly because I saw Jaws way too early. Mostly I just don't like swimming in anything but freshwater.