Thread:61Storm/@comment-29709319-20181110010804/@comment-29709319-20190222032615

February 22: National Margarita Day, National Cook a Sweet Potato Day, Skip the Straw Day, and National California Day❤️

🍹National Margarita Day! Known to be the most common tequila-based cocktail served in the United States, the margarita is a cocktail that consists of tequila, triple sec and lime or lemon juice. A key ingredient is the freshly squeezed lime juice. In the United States, the most common lime is the thick-skinned Persian lime. When margaritas are made with lemons, they have a much softer taste. When it comes to sorting out the legends associated with the origin of the margarita, there are many. Two things are certain; the cocktail included tequila, and the bartender edged the rim of the glass with salt. Today, lime is not the only flavor of margarita, and the specialists behind the bar have gotten creative mixing dried herbs, infused sugars and exotic salts to enhance both the presentation of the glass and the flavor of the cocktail. Margaritas can be served on the rocks (shaken with ice), frozen (blended with ice), or straight up (without ice). In the December 1953 issue of Esquire magazine, the margarita cocktail was the “Drink of the Month”. The recipe as printed was: 1 ounce tequila, Dash of Triple Sec, Juice of 1/2 lime or lemon. Pour over crushed ice, stir. Rub the rim of a stem glass with rind of lemon or lime, spin in salt—pour, and sip. The margarita was further popularized with the 1977 release of Jimmy Buffett’s song “Margaritaville”. It's five o'clock somewhere.

🍠National Cook A Sweet Potato Day! Either Central America or South America is thought to be the center of origin and domestication of sweet potatoes. It is known that in Central America, sweet potatoes were domesticated at least 5,000 years ago. Peruvian sweet potato remnants dating as far back as 8,000 BC have been found in South America. The sweet potato is an excellent source of vitamin A, which supports good vision, the immune system and bone growth. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin B-6, magnesium and vitamin C. It’s also great for the complexion. High in fiber and low in fat and calories, this root vegetable is a healthful alternative to snack foods when prepared without added butter, sugar or salt. Unlike other potatoes, sweet potatoes like long, hot growing seasons. This might explain why it is the state vegetable of North Carolina.

🍹National Skip the Straw Day! On this day The Coral Keepers ask you to consider a different way on National Skip the Straw Day! If Marvin Stone (the inventor of the first paper straw in 1888) were alive today, he might be shocked to know of the five large areas of the ocean, called gyres, where plastic garbage collects. The sea’s currents create vortexes trapping plastics, and in the collection are plastic drinking straws. Straws and other plastics cause harm to marine life in many ways. Birds, fish and other sea life consume plastics accidentally or when they mistake it for food. Plastics don’t biodegrade. They break down into smaller and finer, microscopic pieces. When plastics break down, they produce bisphenol A (BPA) which interferes with reproductive systems in marine life. It also produces styrene monomer which is a suspected carcinogen. According to the National Park Service, Americans use 500 million drinking straws daily! So, on National Skip the Straw Day that’s potentially 500 million fewer straws that don’t end up in landfills or the ocean. There are other fun, eco-friendly, healthy options. 🍁Bamboo straws are a renewable, reusable and biodegradable. 🍁Paper straws, while still disposable, are biodegradable and from a renewable source. 🍁Glass straws are coming in durable, colorful designs fit for a variety of beverages. 🍁Stainless steel straws are an option for those of us who like our cold drinks really cold! The Coral Keepers, students at Whitehall Middle School in Whitehall, MI, along with their advisor, Susan Tate, founded National Skip the Straw Day in 2017 to encourage Americans to give up the straw habit and help spread awareness about the damage caused by disposable plastics.

National California Day❤️ 🇺🇸California is considered a global trendsetter in popular culture, innovation, environmentalism and politics. It is considered the origin of the American film industry, the hippie counterculture, fast food, the Internet, and the personal computer, among others. The word California originally referred to the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico. Spanish explorer Francisco de Ulloa's when exploring the western coast of North America, when initially surveying the Baja California Peninsula, thought that it was an island rather than a peninsula. The conventional wisdom that California was an island, with maps drawn to reflect this belief, lasted as late as the 18th century. California is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area. The Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nation's second- and fifth-most populous urban regions. Los Angeles is California's most populous city, and the country's second-most populous. California also has the nation's most populous county, Los Angeles County, and its largest county by area, San Bernardino County. The City and County of San Francisco is both the country's second-most densely populated major city and the fifth-most densely populated county. Californias capital is Sacramento, Nickname: The Golden State, Motto: Eureka, State song: "I Love You, California". Highest point: Mount Whitney, at 14,505 ft (4,421.0 m), Lowest point: Badwater Basin at -279 ft -85.0 m). Living insignia; Amphibian: 🐸California red-legged frog, Bird: 🕊California quail, Fish: Fresh water: 🐟Golden trout, Marine: 🐟Garibaldi, Flower: 🌸California poppy, Grass: 🌾Purple needlegrass, Insect: 🦋California dogface butterfly, Mammal: Land: 🐻California grizzly bear, Marine: 🐋Gray whale, Reptile: 🐢Desert tortoise, Tree: 🌳Coast redwood & 🌳giant sequoia, Inanimate insignia; Colors: Blue & gold, Dance: 💃West Coast Swing, 💃Folk dance, 💃Square dance, Fossil: Sabre-toothed cat, Gemstone: Benitoite, Mineral: Native gold, Rock: Serpentine, Soil: San Joaquin, Sport: 🏄Surfing, Tartan:California State Tartan. California was one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas in pre-Columbian North America. A Spanish sailing expedition, led by Spanish captain Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, in 1542 was the first to explore the California coast as far north as the Russian River. The English explorer Francis Drake in 1579 explored and claimed an undefined portion of the California coast. Sebastián Vizcaíno explored and mapped the coast of California in 1602 for New Spain. After 1770 Spanish missionaries began setting up 21 California Missions near the coast of Alta in upper California, beginning in San Diego. The Spanish military forces built several forts (presidios) and three small towns (pueblos). Several other smaller cities and towns also sprang up surrounding the various Spanish missions and pueblos, which remain to this day including San Francisco(a mission at the time)-(presidios) and (two small towns at the time)-(pueblos) Los Angeles and San Jose. The Spanish colonization began decimating the natives through epidemics of various diseases for which the indigenous peoples had no natural immunity, such as measles and diphtheria. During this same period, Russian ships also explored along the California coast and in 1812 established a trading post at Fort Ross. Russia's early 19th-century coastal settlements in California that were associated with Fort Ross were spread over an area stretching from Point Arena to Tomales Bay. In 1821, the Mexican War of Independence gave Mexico (including California) independence from Spain. After Mexican independence from Spain, the missions, which controlled most of the best land in the state, were secularized by 1834 and became the property of the Mexican government. The governor granted many square leagues of land to others with political influence. These huge ranchos or cattle ranches emerged as the dominant institutions of Mexican California. The early government of the newly independent Mexico was highly unstable, and from 1831 onwards, California also experienced a series of armed disputes, both between regional areas, and also revolts against the central Mexican government. Beef didn't become a commodity until the 1849 gold Rush. From the 1820s, trappers and settlers from the United States and the future Canada arrived in Northern California. One of the largest ranchers in California was John Marsh. The Mexican courts not allowing him to evict squatters off his land was determined that California should become part of the United States. He conducted a letter-writing campaign espousing the California climate, soil and other reasons to settle there. His letter writing made headline news and consequently started the first wagon trains rolling to California. After ushering in the period of organized emigration to California, Marsh helped end the rule of the last Mexican governor of California. This allowed California ultimate acquisition by the United States. The Bear Flag Revolt of 1846 we're American settlers around Sonoma rebelling against Mexican rule. A flag featuring a bear, star, red stripe and the words California Republic on it was raised by rebels after the revolt. The Republic had only one President William B. Ide. The Mexican–American War (1846–48) ended the California Republic. The signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga on January 13, 1847 secured American control in California. Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (February 2, 1848) that ended the war. Before the official American annexation gold was discovered in California. With the California Gold Rush came a massive influx of immigrants to the area, making it a major US population center. On September 9, 1850 as part of the Compromise of 1850 California was officially admitted into the United States as an undivided free state. California's contribution to the American Civil War (1861–1865) were gold shipment sent to Washington. With the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 a more direct connection to California was developed. 20th century: Filmmakers attracted to the climate, variety of geography, and cheap land established the studio system in Hollywood in the 1920s. California manufactured 8.7 percent of total United States military armaments produced during World War II, ranking third. However it ranked first in production of military ships. To meet the population's needs, major engineering feats like the California and Los Angeles Aqueducts; the Oroville and Shasta Dams; and the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges were built across the state. The Sierra Nevada includes the highest peak in the contiguous 48 states, Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet (4,421 m). The range embraces Yosemite Valley, famous for its glacially carved domes, and Sequoia National Park, home to the giant sequoia trees, the largest living organisms on Earth, and the deep freshwater lake, Lake Tahoe, the largest lake in the state by volume. California ranks second in the most forestland, about 45 percent of the state's total surface area. California's diversity of pine tree species is unmatched by any other state. Many of the trees in the California White Mountains are the oldest in the world; an individual bristlecone pine is over 5,000 years old. Although most of the state has a Mediterranean climate, due to the state's large size the climate ranges from polar to subtropical. 🗝(Definition of rain shadow: it is a dry area on the leeward side of a mountainous area (away from the wind). The mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather systems and cast a "shadow" of dryness behind them. Wind and moist air is drawn by the prevailing winds towards the top of the mountains, where it condenses and precipitates before it crosses the top. The air, without much moisture left, advances across the mountains creating a drier side called the "rain shadow".) California's mountains produce rain shadows on the eastern side, creating extensive deserts. The higher elevation deserts of eastern California have hot summers and cold winters, while the low deserts east of the Southern California mountains have hot summers and nearly frostless mild winters. Death Valley, a desert with large expanses below sea level, is considered the hottest location in the world; the highest temperature in the world, 134°F (56.7°C), was recorded there on July 10, 1913. The lowest temperature in California was -45°F (-43°C) in 1937 in Boca. As part of the Ring of Fire, California is subject to tsunamis, floods, droughts, Santa Ana winds, wildfires, landslides on steep terrain, and has several volcanoes. It has many earthquakes due to several faults running through the state, in particular, the San Andreas Fault. About 37,000 earthquakes are recorded each year, but most are too small to be felt. During the 20th century, two great disasters happened in California. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and 1928 St. Francis Dam flood remain the deadliest in U.S history. Most of California's major rivers are dammed as part of two massive water projects: the Central Valley Project, providing water for agriculture in the Central Valley, and the California State Water Project diverting water from northern to southern California. The state's coasts, rivers, and other bodies of water are regulated by the California Coastal Commission. California is the only U.S. state to have hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics. The 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles. Squaw Valley Ski Resort in the Lake Tahoe region hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. California has twenty major professional sports league franchises, far more than any other state. National Football League: Los Angeles Rams, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers. Major League Baseball. Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants. National Basketball Association: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings. Women's National Basketball Association: Los Angeles Sparks. National Hockey League: Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks. Soccer Major League Soccer: Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes, Los Angeles Football Club. California's colleges and universities are to numerous to list. Things to do:1️⃣USS Midway (Museum) was America’s longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Today, the interactive museum is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family as guests walk in the footsteps of the 225,000 young men who served on Midway. Visitors explore a floating city at sea, the amazing flight deck and its 29 restored aircraft, flight simulators, and are inspired in the Battle of Midway Theater, included with admission. Admission also includes a self-guided audio tour narrated by Midway sailors in English, Mandarin, Spanish, Japanese, French and German. Visiting Midway is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in San Diego, known around the world as "Navy Town, USA." 2️⃣USS Hornet Museum! The USS Hornet spent almost three decades traveling the world's oceans in service to our nation. The USS Hornet Museum, a State and National Historic Landmark, is berthed at Pier 3 on the former naval air station in Alameda. The ship's active duty years spanned the 1940's - 60's. The historic aircraft carrier was a key participant in WWII, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and the recovery of the first two lunar landing space missions - Apollo 11 and 12. She was stored in a naval mothball fleet from 1970-1995. Open 6 days a week (closed on Tuesdays) with a large percentage of the ship accessible for visiting. Dozens of restored spaces and many exhibits to learn about the Hornet career and what it was like to live and work aboard. 3️⃣California State Railroad Museum! North America's largest railroad museum. The museum features 21 restored locomotives and railroad cars, some dating back to 1862. Other exhibits show how the influence of railroads changed American society, influencing travel, commerce and daily life, as well as the lives of railroaders and the diversity of people who work on railroads. Changing exhibits featuring photography, ephemera, and artifacts from the museum's collection, add depth and incidental information to the overall story of railroad history. If your interested in anything to do with the railroad this is the place. 4️⃣Golden Gate Park is a large urban park consisting of 1,017 acres (412 ha) of public grounds. The Park is 20 percent larger than Central Park in New York. Attraction in the park include: The Music Concourse is a sunken, oval-shaped open-air plaza. The De Young Museum is a fine arts museum. The California Academy of Sciences was founded in 1853 making it the oldest scientific institution in the western United States. The Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States and occupies five acres. The Conservatory is one of the world's largest conservatories, as well as one of few large Victorian greenhouses in the United States. The Conservatory stands at 12,000 square feet and houses 1,700 species of tropical, rare and aquatic plants. The park built windmills to supply water to the park. The park is also dot with statues. An ornate carousel displaying a bestiary is housed in a circular building near the children's playground in the park. San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum is 55 acres (22 ha). Arboretum contains more than 7,500 plant species. The arboretum also houses the Helen Crocker Russell Library, northern California's largest horticultural library. Stow Lake was the first artificial lake constructed in the park and Huntington was the park's first artificial waterfall. Rowboats and pedalboats are allowed on the lake. Spreckels Lake is an artificial reservoir behind a small earthen dam. Elk Glen Lake is the park's deepest ornamental lake. Metson Lake can sometimes be redirected elsewhere for irrigation purposes. Chain of Lakes is made up of three lakes: North, Middle, and South Lake. Bison Paddock contains a small herd of Bison. And there is lots more. 5️⃣Sequoia National Park was established to protect 404,064 acres (631 sq mi; 163,519 ha; 1,635 km2) of forested mountainous terrain. The park is notable for its giant sequoia trees, including the General Sherman tree, the largest tree on Earth. The only commercial cave open to park visitors is Crystal Cave, the park's second-longest cave at over 3.4 miles (5.5 km). The cave is a constant 48°F (9°C), and is only accessible by guided tour. In addition to hiking, camping, fishing, and backpacking, these are other park attractions:🍁Sherman Tree Trail is an 0.8-mile roundtrip paved trail that goes through a grove of giant sequoia trees to the base of the General Sherman tree. 🍁Tunnel Log is a fallen giant sequoia tree measuring 275 feet (84 m) tall and 21 feet (6.4 m) in diameter, fell across a park road in 1937 due to natural causes. The following year, a crew cut an 8-foot (2.4 m) tall, 17-foot (5.2 m) wide tunnel through the trunk, making the road passable again. 🍁Tokopah Falls is an easy 1.7 mile (one way) walk along the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River to the impressive granite cliffs and waterfall of Tokopah Canyon. Tokopah Falls is 1,200 feet (365.8 meters) high, and is most impressive in early summer. 🍁Crescent Meadow is a small, sequoia-rimmed meadow. The meadow marks the western terminus of the High Sierra Trail, which stretches from the meadow across the Great Western Divide to Mount Whitney. The meadow has been known as the "Gem of the Sierra". 🍁Moro Rock is a granite dome located in the center of the park. A 400-step stairway is cut into and poured onto the rock, so that visitors can hike to the top. The view from the rock encompasses much of the Park, including the Great Western Divide. It has an elevation of 6,725 feet (2,050 m). 🍁Giant Forest Museum offers information about giant sequoias and human history in the forest. 6️⃣Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, California, that was once the personal residence of Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester. The Queen Anne Style Victorian mansion is renowned for its size, its architectural curiosities, and its lack of any master building plan. It is a designated California historical landmark. It is privately owned and serves as a tourist attraction. Since its construction in 1884, the property and mansion were claimed by many to be haunted by the ghosts of those killed with Winchester rifles. 7️⃣The Ranch at Lake Sonoma! Take in the scenery of California wine country on a horseback ride in Sonoma County. With a guide, you'll have the chance to admire the vineyards of Dry Creek Valley and the waters of Lake Sonoma as you traverse the rolling wilderness on horseback. 8️⃣Joshua Tree National Park has a total of 790,636 acres (1,235.4 sq mi; 3,199.6 km2) and is a vast protected area in southern California. It's characterized by rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. Named for the region’s twisted, bristled Joshua trees, the park straddles the cactus-dotted Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert, which is higher and cooler. There exist nine established campgrounds in the park, two of which (Black Rock and Cottonwood Campgrounds) provide water and flush toilets. There are several hiking trails within the park, many of which can be accessed from a campground. Nature walks inside the park include: 🍁Hidden Valley, 🍁Indian Cove, 🍁Cholla Cactus Garden. Longer trails include: 🍁Boy Scout Hiking and Equestrian Trail, 🍁Contact Mine, 🍁Fortynine Palms Oasis, 🍁Lost Horse Mine, 🍁Lost Palms Oasis, 🍁Ryan Mountain, and 🍁Warren Peak. A section of the California Riding and Hiking Trail meanders for 35 miles (56 km) through the western side of the park. The park is also popular with rock climbers. The routes are typically short, the rocks being rarely more than 230 ft (70 m) in height. The rocks are all composed of quartz monzonite, a very rough type of granite made even more so as there is no snow or ice to polish them. Birdwatching; more than 250 bird species inhabit or visit the park including resident desert birds such as the greater roadrunner, cactus wren, northern mockingbird, LeConte's thrasher, verdin, and Gambel's quail. About 78 species nest and raise their young within the park. Joshua Tree Park is a popular observing site in Southern California for amateur astronomy and stargazing. The park's elevation and dry desert air, along with the relatively stable atmosphere in the region, often make for excellent seeing conditions. 9️⃣Yosemite National Park is in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoia trees, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. In Yosemite Village is the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery, with prints of the photographer’s renowned black-and-white landscapes of the area. A reconstructed "Indian Village of Ahwahnee" has been erected behind the Museum. Over 800 miles (1,300 km) of trails are available to hikers, everything from an easy stroll to a challenging mountain hike, or an overnight backpack trip. One of the most popular trails leads to the summit of Half Dome and requires an advance permit from Memorial Day weekend in May, to Columbus Day in October. A maximum of 300 hikers, selected by lottery, are permitted to advance beyond the base of the subdome each day, including 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers. While some locations in Yosemite require hiking, other locations can be reached via automobile transportation. Rock Climbers can generally be spotted in the snow-free months on anything from ten-foot-high (3 m) boulders to the 3,300-foot (1.0 km) face of El Capitan. Bicycle rentals are available in Yosemite Valley spring through fall. Over 12 miles (19 km) of paved bike paths are available in Yosemite Valley. Helmets required for those under 18. Rafting can be done through the Yosemite Valley on the Merced River. There are also swimming pools available at Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village. Downhill skiing is available at the Badger Pass Ski Area—the oldest downhill skiing area in California, offering downhill skiing from mid-December through early April. Much of the park is open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with several backcountry ski huts open for use. 🔟Columbia State Historic Park, also known as Columbia Historic District, is a state park preserving historic downtown Columbia, California. It includes almost 30 buildings built during the California Gold Rush, most of which remain today. There are costumed docents bring history to life and saloons offer a cold drink to beat the heat. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Columbia State Historic Park has been used as a shooting location for many films and television scenes. High Noon includes scenes filmed in 1952 in and around the Wilson House, on Main Street and in front of Engine House #2. The Shadow Riders (1982) was also filmed in and around Columbia. Or explore Old Sacramento—a 28-acre national historic landmark—where you’ll find restored buildings housing modern museums, the chance to explore a restored riverboat, and a one-room schoolhouse to tour. 1️⃣1️⃣American River Parkway! Rent two wheels and head over to the American River Parkway. The 32-mile-long Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail is paved, making it easy for families to do as much or as little as they like. The trail is considered one of the longest paved purpose-built bike trails in the country. The trail passes several places of interest between Sacramento and Folsom. The recreational areas of Discovery Park, Sutter's Landing Park (the point at which John Sutter, founder of Sacramento and notable area entrepreneur, first arrived), the Guy West Bridge (a scaled down reproduction of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge), California State University, Sacramento (or, more commonly, Sacramento State), William B. Pond Recreation Area, River Bend Park, the Fair Oaks walking bridge, the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake. Plaques along the route offer historical information about the area, and you’ll also spot birds, including egrets and herons, as you go. If your brood includes more accomplished bikers, you can take advantage of bike lanes on city streets to get a different view of the capital. (Sacramento was awarded a silver award for bike-friendliness by the League of American Bicyclists). 1️⃣2️⃣Wende Museum of the Cold War! The Wende Museum holds an unparalleled collection of art and artifacts from Cold War-era Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union and offers innovative exhibitions and events to illuminate the connections between art and history, past and present. They have over 100,000 unique objects of visual and material culture from the Soviet Union and the former Eastern Bloc in their collection including eleven original segments of the Berlin Wall. 1️⃣3️⃣Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial! One of the most unique Veterans Memorials in America. The only one to honor veterans, living and deceased, from the Revolutionary War to the current global "War on Terror." Black granite plaques include a picture of the veteran with a brief summary of their military experience. Currently there are over 3,500 veterans honored on the Memorial Walls. Five new walls were recently constructed will accommodate an additional 2,400 plaques. 1️⃣4️⃣Mormon Battalion Historic Site! The Mormon Battalion, the only religion-based unit in United States military history, served during the Mexican–American War. The battalion was a volunteer unit of between 534 and 559 Latter-day Saints men. During its services, the battalion made a grueling march of nearly 2,000 miles from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to San Diego, California. The battalion’s march and service supported the eventual cession of much of the American Southwest from Mexico to the United States, especially the Gadsden Purchase of 1853 of southern Arizona and New Mexico. The march also opened a southern wagon route to California. Veterans of the battalion played significant roles in America's westward expansion in California, Utah, Arizona and other parts of the West. The only "battle" they fought was near the San Pedro River in present-day Arizona against a sizable number of wild cattle. Reaching this area in 1846 aroused curiosity among these animals. After the bulls of these herds caused destruction to some of the mules and wagons and resulted in two men being wounded, the men loaded their guns and attacked the charging bulls, killing 10–15 of the wild cattle, causing the event to be termed the "Battle of the Bulls". 1️⃣5️⃣Avenue of the Giants is a scenic highway in Northern California, running through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The highway is notable for the Coast Redwoods that surround the area. It is from these towering trees that the Avenue of the Giants takes its name. The road winds alongside the scenic Eel River, and connects several small towns. The two-lane road has a number of parking areas, picnic sites, and attractions. The nearby river provides many swimming locations. Immortal Tree though not the oldest redwood in the forest is over 950 years old, and is currently around 250 ft (76 m) tall, though originally it was much taller. It has survived not only the ravages of time but also the 1964 flood, a 1908 attempt at logging, and a direct lightning strike which removed the top 45 feet (14 m) of the tree. Markers are visible on the tree, denoting the heights of where the loggers' axes and the floodwaters struck the tree. Avenue of the Giants near Weott, has an easy 1/2 mile self-guided walk with informational booklets available at the beginning of the trail. This well-travelled trail is a good example of old-growth redwood forest and contains a few very big trees, including the Founder's Tree (324.99 ft. tall) and the Dyerville Giant (c. 370 ft. tall) which fell down in 1991. Tree House: Not a traditional tree house, this is actually a house that is, albeit partially, built within a giant redwood. Visible from the road, and with tours available, the front of this house is entered through the hollow trunk of a still-living tree. The front door and windows are clearly visible to passers-by, and the rest of the house adjoins the rear of the tree in a more traditional style. Avenue of the Giants features a tree that visitors can drive through. Shrine Drive-Thru Tree is near the town of Myers Flat. The tree is privately owned; the owner charges $8 or more for a car to drive through it. 1️⃣6️⃣Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood film studios still in use. Its official marketing headline is "The Entertainment Capital of LA". It was initially created to offer tours of the real Universal Studios sets and is the first of many full-fledged Universal Studios Theme Parks located across the world. The Studio Tour is a 45 to 60 minute ride which uses tram vehicles to take the visitors from the Theme Park's Upper Lot to the back-lot where actual filming of many shows and movies take place. The tour is the signature ride at the theme park and the wait time varies by day and seasons. The tour begins with a video introduction by Jimmy Fallon and a trip down the hill into the Front Lot. After drifting through the sound stages of the Front Lot and transitioning into the Metropolitan Sets of the back lot. The tram then takes the guests to Courthouse Square section and then other buildings in the back lot. Afterwards, the tram enters a tunnel leading to the attraction: King Kong: 360 3-D. Then the tram travels through sets from Jurassic Park and encounter Dilophosauruses. Following that, the tram travels to the Flash Flood attraction. The tram continues through Old Mexico, Six Points Texas, a miniature model of the SS Venture from King Kong, and Little Europe before experiencing Earthquake: The Big One attraction, movie sets themed as Amity Island from Jaws, Whoville from [[How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 film)|How The Grinch Stole Christmas], Bates motel from Psycho, and the crashed plane set from War of the Worlds, before leading to the final attraction on the tour, Fast & Furious: Supercharged based on the Fast & Furious film franchise. Attraction Upper Lot; 🍁Despicable Me Minion Mayhem a 3D motion simulator where you are transformed into minions and undergo training by navigating an obstacle course. Children 40-48″ (102-122 cm) must be accompanied by supervising companion (14 years or older). 🍁Silly Swirly Aerial carousel: Children under 48" (122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion. 🍁Super Silly Fun Land Play area is a large outdoor wet and dry play area themed to the Despicable Me franchise. 🍁DreamWorks Theatre 4-D film: Themed around characters featured in films from DreamWorks Animation. 🍁The Simpsons Ride: The Simpsons visit Krustyland to try out the new roller-coaster but things go wrong as Sideshow Bob tries to sabotage the ride. Height Requirement 40" (102 cm). 🍁The Walking Dead: A Walk-Through Attraction! Interactive Walkthrough Maze. Battle your way through nightmarish iconic landscapes, based on the TV show. 🍁Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular. Jet-skiers and boats, stunt fights, a crashing plane, pyrotechnics. 🍁Universal's Animal Actors! A 20-minute show showcasing stunts and tricks from a variety of animals.🍁Special Effects Stage! A demonstration of some of the special effects used in film making. 🍁Flight of the Hippogriff! Roller Coaster! Learn the proper way to approach a Hippogriff before you take off on a family-friendly coaster. Height requirement 39" (99 cm). Children between 39"- 48" (99-122 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion. 🍁Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey! Make your way through the classrooms of Hogwarts. Then soar above the castle grounds on a ground breaking new ride that lets you join Harry and his friends. Required height 48" (122 cm). 🍁Ollivander’s Wand Fitting Experience! Step inside this small, dusty shop and choose from an array of Ollivanders wands, or purchase replicas of the Harry Potter film characters' wands, Collectible wand sets and more. 🍁Frog Choir! Live show. This outdoor live show features students of Hogwarts with their singing frogs. 🍁Triwizard Spirit Rally: A live show. Sharing a stage with the Frog choir, this themed show features men performing martial arts moves and gymnastics with sticks. The Lower Lot is the smaller of the two lots. There are three thrill rides at this section of the park that each have height restrictions. Attraction: 🍁Jurassic World Ride: A water adventure ride that takes visitors through the events of the first film, ending with an 84-foot drop. 🍁Revenge of the Mummy: A 3-minute indoor steel roller coaster. Features forward motion and backwards motion. Height requirement 48" (122 cm). 🍁Transformers: The Ride 3D is a 3D dark ride. Minimum height requirement 40" (102 cm). Children must be accompanied by a supervising compansion. 🍁Raptor Encounter Live performance and character photos. 🍁Dino Play: Play area. An interactive play area with fossils, cargo nets, ladders and slides. 1️⃣7️⃣Tahoe Treetop Adventure Parks consists of three different parks: 🌻Tahoe City Treetop is located behind Granlibakken Resort in Tahoe City. It offers 10 Courses; 2 beginner, 6 intermediate, 2 advanced (Minimum 49” (124 cm) height requirement to do the Advanced courses), 97 tree platforms within a secluded forest with large pine trees and old growth cedars, 27 zip lines total ranging from 30’ to 300’ in length, and 60 bridges/events each one is unique to accommodate participant ages 5+. There are beginner to advanced courses with safety gear included, a full body harness and helmet. Also there are many trails for non-participating friends and family to watch from. 🌻Squaw Valley Treetop! Built into the hillside facing beautiful Shirley Canyon and the world famous peaks of Squaw Valley, the park allows participants to remain in close proximity while climbing and trekking through the various courses. The park can be a great tool for energizing groups and constructing and improving bonds between participants. During the summer months the ropes course is open daily for use by adventurous individuals, families, and groups interested in climbing, aerial trekking, and zip lining. The Squaw Valley Treetop Adventure Park includes beginning and intermediate aerial treks to accompany the vertical climbing elements. Safety gear is provided: a full body harness and helmet. Other course requirements are: ages 5+, closed toe shoes, 260 lb. maximum and the ability to follow instructions and perform needed tasks. There's a 50’ Alpine Tower with newly added vertical climbing events, 16 tree platforms up to 35' above ground and the Leap of Faith event. There's also a total of 10 events/bridges, each one unique, 6 short zip lines ranging from 40' to 150' in length, along with the traditional climbing events provide a variety of fun and challenging obstacles. The Squaw Valley location is best described as a combination of an older ropes course with vertical climbing and a newer aerial adventure park with horizontal aerial trekking courses. 🌻Tahoe Vista Treetop is located within the 125-acre North Tahoe Regional Park in Tahoe Vista, CA! We used a continuous belay safety system to allow a smoother and more seamless experience for all participants. No more constant clipping and unclipping or ducking under safety cables. Additionally, there is no height requirement for 7 of the 9 courses and a 49"  height requirement for the 2 advanced courses. As an added bonus, many of the tree platforms have views of Lake Tahoe! Safety gear of a full body harness and helmet will be supplied. There are; 87 tree platforms ranging from 10 feet to 50 feet above ground, 54 Events/Bridges, each is unique, 39 zip lines, total ranging from 20’ to 300’ in length almost a 1,000 feet of zip lines. There's a picnic area available and many trails for non-participating friends and family to watch from. 1️⃣8️⃣Mount Hermon Adventures; (This is for the super adventist.) 👣Redwood Canopy Tours: Their two hour guided eco-adventure includes six zip lines and two sky bridges at heights of up to 150 feet. Each tour of up to 8 people is led by 2 certified guides who share ecological knowledge and bring the forest to life. 👣Sequoia Aerial Adventure! Have an exhilarating adventure while exploring the redwood forest! Select your level of challenge on three aerial trails and over 40 elements, including swinging logs, cargo nets, and cables set 30 to 80 feet in the air! Multiple self-guided options combine solo and partner balance elements, focusing on challenge, fun, and group interaction. Mount Hermon's highly trained staff offer instruction and monitor your progress through the course. Each two hour session gives you access to the entire aerial adventure course of 30 elements plus two zip lines and the quick jump. 1️⃣9️⃣Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 miles (2.01 km) offshore from San Francisco. The island's facilities are managed by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area; it is open to tours. Visitors can reach the island by ferry ride from Pier 33, located between the San Francisco Ferry Building and Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco. Hornblower Cruises and Events, operating under the name Alcatraz Cruises, is the official ferry provider to and from the island. Alcatraz Island is home to the abandoned prison, the site of the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States, early military fortifications, and natural features such as rock pools and a seabird colony. The total area of the island is reported to be 22 acres (8.9 ha). Landmarks on the island include the Main Cellhouse, Dining Hall, Library, Lighthouse, the ruins of the Warden's House and Officers' Club, Parade Grounds, Building 64, Water Tower, New Industries Building, Model Industries Building, and the Recreation Yard. 2️⃣0️⃣The Getty Center is a campus of the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust and is well known for its architecture, gardens, and views overlooking Los Angeles. The Center branch of the Museum features pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; and photographs from the 1830s through present day from all over the world. In addition, the Museum's collection at the Center includes outdoor sculpture displayed on terraces and in gardens. 2️⃣1️⃣The Griffith Observatory is a facility in Los Angeles, California, sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. It commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. The observatory is a popular tourist attraction with a close view of the Hollywood Sign and an extensive array of space and science-related displays. 2️⃣2️⃣Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens (or The Huntington) is a collections-based educational and research institution located in San Marino, California. In addition to the library, the institution houses an extensive art collection with a focus in 18th- and 19th-century European art and 17th- to mid-20th-century American art. The property also includes approximately 120 acres of specialized botanical landscaped gardens, most notably the "Japanese Garden", the "Desert Garden", and the "Chinese Garden". 🌵Desert Garden is one of the world's largest and oldest collections of cacti, succulents and other desert plants, collected from throughout the world. It contains plants from extreme environments, many of which were from several places in North, Central and South America. 🌵Japanese Garden features the drum or moon bridge, a large bell, the authentic ceremonial teahouse Seifu-an, a fully furnished Japanese house, koi-filled ponds, the Zen Garden, and the bonsai collections with hundreds of trees. The Bonsai Courts at the Huntington is the home of the Golden State Bonsai Federation Southern Collection. 🌵Chinese garden is the largest outside of China. It's 12 acres at the northwest corner of the Huntington, the garden features man-made lakes ("Pond of Reflected Greenery" and "Lake of Reflected Fragrance") with pavilions connected by bridges. Unique Chinese names are assigned to many of the facilities in the garden, such as the tea house, known as the "Hall of the Jade Camellia". Other pavilions are the "Love for the Lotus Pavilion", "Terrace of the Jade Mirror", and "Pavilion of the Three Friends". Other gardens in the Huntington: 🌵Australian Garden, 🌵Camellia Garden, 🌵Children's Garden, 🌵Conservatory, 🌵Herb Garden, 🌵Jungle Garden, 🌵Lily Ponds, 🌵Palm Garden, 🌵Ranch Garden, 🌵Rose Garden, 🌵Shakespeare Garden, and 🌵Subtropical Garden. 2️⃣3️⃣Lake Cunningham Regional Skate Park near Los Angeles. Its 68,000 square feet...California’s largest! It includes features that will enthuse every skill level at affordable prices. (I've no idea what these maneuvers are, but I'm betting the skateboarders  and bikers do.) 🚵‍♀️World Largest Full Pipe, World’s Largest Cradle, World’s Tallest Vert Wall, Mini Bowls, Puddles, Street Course, Skull Bowl, Multi Bowl, Travelodge Bowl, Olympic Bowl, Thumb Bowl, Thimble, Box Jump, and Boxes, rails, and more! 🚵The Bike Park is 8.5 acres and is comprised of 7 diverse riding zones to challenges riders of all skill levels. 🚲Dual Slalom Track: Race your friend side by side down the dual slalom track. 🚲Beginner Pump Track: Is deigned for children as young as 1.5 years old. Hone in your skills on this oval track featuring rollers, berms and two double roller berms. 🚲Advanced Pump Track: This Pump Track has numerous line options and challenges everyone from beginners through advanced riders. 🚲Dirt Jump Zone: An 8 pack of tabletop dirt jumps. Progress your skills through from small through x-large as all jumps are table tops and you can roll over all of them. 🚲Slopestyle Zone: Is designed for Intermediate through Advanced riders to catch air and thrown down some tricks. This zone also features the 4 pack of successive wall rides. 🚲Skills Trail: will encircle the bike park and will feature many riding obstacles including rock gardens, sand pits, wooden riding features and more. 🚲Drop Zone: Test your dropping abilities. Pick the 1.5, 3, or 5 foot drop off and take the plunge! 2️⃣4️⃣(I was unable to access the Point Reyes Safari web site but I did find this. I would have left it out but it sounds interesting.) On a Point Reyes Safari, you will be joining professional wildlife photographer Daniel Dietrich seeing and photographing the amazing wildlife and scenic lands of the amazing Point Reyes National Seashore. The Park holds incredible wildlife viewing opportunities with bobcats, tule elk, coyotes, badgers, raptors, owls, and shorebirds, as well as many marine animals. Safaris have a maximum of 3 people, and there are half day and full day choices. A hearty lunch, snacks and beverages are included on all safaris. 2️⃣5️⃣San Diego Zoo! Founded in 1916, the Zoo has been an icon in San Diego for nearly 100 years—and an absolute must-see in Southern California. Spend the day monkeying around in our tropical oasis as you visit beautiful habitats that are home to gorillas, eagles, tigers, sun bears, Asian leopards, rare reptiles, a palette of colorful birds, and more. Visit the Australian Outback to delight in our colony of 24 koalas, and travel along Panda Trek to experience giant pandas and other animals that share their bamboo forest habitat. Go back in time through Elephant Odyssey to discover what animals used to roam Southern California and see what the elephants are up to. Enjoy a guided tour on a double-decker bus or the scenic view from the Skyfari aerial tram, and dine in the peaceful surroundings of Albert's Restaurant. Discover the wonders of wildlife with animal encounters, interactive experiences, and keeper chats. A leader in animal care and conservation, the San Diego Zoo is at the heart of the San Diego experience. 2️⃣6️⃣Monterey Bay Aquarium is a nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California at the ocean's edge. Known for its regional focus on the marine habitats of Monterey Bay. It's home to sea otters, penguins, sharks, jellies and thousands of other marine animals and plants. Its mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean. It was the first to exhibit a living kelp forest. Its biologists have pioneered the animal husbandry of jellyfish and it was the first to successfully care for and display a great white shark. However, they no longer exhibit great whites. The organization's research and conservation efforts also focus on sea otters, various birds, and tunas. The zoo does rehabilitation of some birds on the threaten or endanger list by breeding and releasing the offspring in the wild when ready or by incubation of gather eggs, giving them a better survival rate. They also have under water viewing aquariums to see marine life in their water kingdom. 2️⃣7️⃣(But if you prefer tunnels to the under water kingdom there's this one.) Aquarium of the Bay is a public aquarium located at The Embarcadero and Beach Street, at the edge of PIER 39 in San Francisco, California. The Aquarium is focused on local aquatic animals from the San Francisco Bay and neighboring rivers and watersheds as far as the Sierras. It is one of the six branches of bay.org- the largest watershed conservation group in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is filled with approximately 4,000 fish with 100 unique species indigenous to San Francisco Bay. After being shown a short introductory film, visitors walk through an area with three pools, then take an elevator down to the signature attraction, which is two acrylic tunnels 360-foot (110 m) long overall that cuts through two tanks filled with total of 707,000 US gallons (2,680,000 l; 589,000 imp gal) of filtered water from the bay. The Aquarium of the Bay is a Smithsonian Affiliate, accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and certified as a Green Business by the city of San Francisco. It is a member of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), a collaboration to promote ocean and freshwater conservation, specifically by reducing plastic pollution. 2️⃣8️⃣Bodie State Historic Park. One of the best preserved ghost towns. Bodie State Historic Park is a genuine California gold-mining ghost town. Visitors can walk down the deserted streets of a town that once had a population of a few dozen to nearly 10,000 people when gold was discovered. The town is named for Waterman S. Body (William Bodey), who had discovered small amounts of gold in hills north of Mono Lake. In 1875, a mine cave-in revealed pay dirt, which led to purchase of the mine by the Standard Company in 1877. Only a small part of the town survives, preserved in a state of "arrested decay." Interiors remain as they were left and stocked with goods. Designated as a National Historic Site and a State Historic Park in 1962, the remains of Bodie are being preserved in a state of "arrested decay". Today this once thriving mining camp is visited by tourists, howling winds and an occasional ghost😳. (Who you goin' call? Ghostbusters!🤣)

I'll pass on the sweet potato. However, I may need that margarita after visiting that ghost town. I want to do all I listed on California well maybe not the skateboard park, ouch! The next time someone says 'why do you want to go to California, there's nothing out there', boy, do I have something to tell them.

Yes Lidewey, and Chief would probably let you rub his tummy.

Sending sunshiny hugs!🐶🐶💕❄️☃️💕