Post #46777 by CaseyJPS on Fri, Aug 8, 2003 12:26 AM

I remember as a kid running across the highway IN MY BARE FEET IN OVER 100 DEGREE WEATHER to get to the other side of town in Manteca. But Manteca, like Modesto, has become another crawling suburban Minivan and SUV paradise.

Transitioning to the desert has not been that difficult. I spent 40 years in SF and San Rafael, always enjoying the beaches, ocean air, etc. I found the DRY air to be much easier on me than the fog and humidity, and there are only three really hot months out of the year, BUT THE NIGHTS ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Many people have virtual livings rooms in their back yards (hoenstly). My whole disposition has changed since I woke up to an average of 354 sunny days a year, looking at the mountains (snow-capped in January and February) and not worrying too much about what I'm going to wear. We, too, have cold weather, but the skies are crystal clear almost every night with sparkling stars. And it's DRY.

Caution: Palm Desert has become Orange County East, and La Quinta is not far behind.