4 ms·

I think he understands that -- for example, "Confusing one’s own youth with the youth of the world is a common human affliction...", "I have also noticed the fr

I think he understands that -- for example, "Confusing one’s own youth with the youth of the world is a common human affliction...", "I have also noticed the friendly crowds jostling my elbows at every surf break and on the shockingly long lines below Yosemite rock climbs. These people have as much fun as I ever did, loving the only version of California available to them.", and the last paragraph. His first impression is dark, but he basically concludes it's not that bad, and that his negative perception versus his nostalgia is part of a cycle that every generation experiences. He kind of mixes the natural issues (drought) with the human ones (increasing population, re-development). I'm not so sure the two categories will work out equally fine in the end, but I don't live there so I don't really have any skin in the game or knowledge of it.

danboarder 11y ago
I get that, but I don't agree with his premise. There are so many un-surfed breaks along the coast -- it's just that people tend to all go to the same spots (Huntington Beach or San Clemente down here in socal), instead of getting creative and finding new surf breaks. So while I am probably his age (in my 40s) I don't share his jaded perspective. I like finding new places, learning new things. My wife Mel goes with me often and we really enjoy California the way it is right now! That's coming from someone who travels a lot - I visited 17 countries in the last year over several months and while I've enjoyed many places I always look forward to coming back and camping on BLM land where we can drive offroad, launch model rockets and just enjoy open spaces. see http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/maps.html http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/maps.html