Sunday, June 15, 2008

adios and good riddance

I used to live here. I used to hop on these freeways on a regular basis. I used to know my way around southern California like it was the back of my hand. Not any more.

I drove from Seal Beach (where my mom lives) to San Bernardino (where my brother lives) this last weekend. This is how it went...

I took the 405 to the 55 to the 5 to the 57 - made sure I didn't end up on the 60 because I did that already a couple of days ago and was almost late to the graduation - to the 210 on into San Bernardino. All the while, I was driving next to rude, inconsiderate drivers, through the brown haze, watching the amber alerts flash overhead, and listening to K-Earth on the radio with Charlie Tuna, a disk jockey that I listened to back when I lived here. The tunes of the 70's was the only thing that kept me sane during my drive because I just kept singing away as a distraction to everything else.

The southern California freeway system is just one big tangled up maze of concrete, signs, and cars. And there must be over 50 freeways in just this area of California. It's crazy. Last year when we were out here, we complained about how much time we spent in our car because we were always in traffic on a freeway. This year it was just me driving and I found no joy in maneuvering my way through the maze.

I had a wonderful time out here in California and loved visiting my family and places of my youth. But I'm more than ecstatic to be going back home... to my husband, kids, dog, home, my own bed, and only four - count them, 4! - major freeways.

9 comments:

Lori said...

I agree with you.
That kind of driving would not be for me.
I am glad I live in a small town.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm. I'm thinking of going out there this summer (trip with my daughter). I had forgotten about the traffic. Guess we'll have to remember to bring some books on tape or something for the snarls!

Susan said...

Nothing about California appeals to me any more. Too much excess, too much everything. I like my simple small town where people can meet in a shopping center parking lot and form a circle and pray, etc.
Susan

nancy said...

I really don't think I could take it anymore. I lived out there, too, long ago. When it was "the place to be". Why, I lived in Venice Beach when it was populated by nothing by hippies and artists. (Before it got 'discovered'.) I have to agree with Susan about the excess.
I lived in Hermosa Beach for a while. At the time, I worked in Hollywood. Imagine doing that today. Even then, in 1968-70, I had a traffic jam both ways every day. You just figured it into your travel time. At least there was good music on the radio!
Nancy

Heidi Jo Comes said...

is that picture for real? that is amazing! i love my simple rural life:0)

Anonymous said...

Be safe!! It is always so nice to come home, There is no place like home Auntie Em. . .
hugs
Deb

Melissa said...

I've lived here for 2 years (almost) and I still get lost!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Oh...that picture is NOT a fun one...glad you had a good time. Returning "home" is always interesting. I have never left the town where I grew up (general location) and just moved up the street from the high school where my prom date went...oh memories...LOL!

Jamey said...

Oh my gosh!!! I can't even imagine what that is like. I grew up in SD...where a lot of roads are gravel (hee,hee). We really do have at least 2 major interstates in the state. I lived in Phoenix and near Denver, but neither compare to that. Wow. I couldn't do that!! It sounds like you will be glad to be home!