The property line is the state line is the edge of the building for massive casinos on both sides of the street. Before that breath in your lungs is exhaled you can have your hands on a slot machine. Why, T-shirt shops and souvenir stands of course. Disneyland, Pier 39, South Lake Tahoe, it is all the same. Good thing there is still the little matter of the Pacific Crest yet to come.
Serenity awaits in the high country.
California's state colors are blue and gold. On a day like today it is apparent they were adopted from the environment. Crystal azure lakes, still cold from ice blue streams of melted snow, reflect the golden sun in a pastel blue sky. Purple paintbrushes intermix with golden California poppies, and bright blue spruce glisten on tawny granite hillsides sparkling with glints of fools- or maybe real gold. Even the blue van in front of me has a golden retriever hanging out the window chewing the air in great gulps of sniffles.