” One of the most beautiful coastlines in the world “ California, (BIG SUR). California to me has to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth, next to Alaska and Oregon.

I have traveled to California ever since 1974. I moved to Portland Oregon when I was 16 years old with one of my best friends. I worked 6 months out of the year and traveled 6 months out of the year. And where do you think I traveled to? (California) of course! I use to hitch-hike, that’s right hitch when I was 16 years old by myself all through California.

All the way down the whole coast through the Redwoods in Humboldt County, Mount Shasta in Redding, San Fransisco, Monterrey, Carmel where Clint Eastwood has a restaurant and lives, Fresno, Big Sur, San Louis Opispo, Goletta, Ventura, Santa Monica, Malibu, Burbank, Los Angeles (City of Angels), SanDiego, just to name a few!

I have traveled so many times through California, I know the State like the back of my hand. And let me tell you straight out, you will never find a place like it in the World. There is so much to see and so many places to go that a person could never see it in their life time. At my age I still drive through there with my sweetheart and go to places I have never seen before, camping in the Redwoods, along the coastline and much more.

People always complain, ” Oh, there are to many people in California ” (Really)? I can show you hundreds of thousands of towns, areas, etc. where there are no people and if there is, it is just a hand full.

And the (Earth Quakes)! Sure California has them, but there are (Earth Quakes) all over the world! Don’t build your house on the edge of a cliff on the sandy ocean hillside or in the middle of a Vault line. And why do they always talk about the (Earth Quakes)? Because there is a population problem in Los Angeles, San Fransisco and some of the other big cities in California.

And why is there a population problem? I have already told you! Because (California is one of the most beautiful places on Earth)!

Reason for high cost of living? To many people, the State tries to tax them out and or our find a way to discourage people to move there, or live there.

If you would like to see any more breath-taking pics of California, please send me a email and or check out one of my web sites at: www.BestPicz.ning.com

Look real close at this photo, ” Who’s house is that built on the cliff? “

Photo taken in 2007 by: Robert Swetz

- CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Everyone that knows me figured it would just be a matter of time before I formed a group about California. I have blogged so many photos and stories about the West Coast State, I had to go beyond the realms of duty.

My first visit to the wonderful State of CALIFORNIA was back it 1974 when I was only 16 years of age.

I moved to the West Coast from Minnesota when I was 16 years old with a friend from school and lived in Portland Oregon. At this time I would hitch-hike down the whole West Coast through CALIFORNIA.

With a back-pack, harmonica in one hand & a Bible in the other I would travel up and down Hwy 1 and 101 taking in the wonders of the West Coast.

When I lived back home in Minnesota in the winters I started listening to a song on my record player, I would listen to it over and over. Here is the song!

So my CALIFORNIA DREAMING had come true, I spent over 5 years traveling from Oregon to California getting to know the West Coast like the back of my hand.

Mammoth Lakes California - CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Some may ask, did you work? Well of course I worked but only 5 months out of the year, the rest of the year I traveled up and down the State of Oregon & California.

If you have never been to California, you must plan a vacation and see what all the fuss is about. Try to visit the Northern part of California. I was most so impressed with the northern part of the state because it is more laid back and relaxing.

California has the tallest trees in the world, (Redwoods) it has the oldest tree in the world, (Bristle Cone Pine), the most beautiful coast line in the world and some very fun cities, like Redding, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles & San Diego, just to name a few.

So if you are a Active Rain Member and live in California, have traveled in California, of love California, please join my new group and post blogs with stories and photos attached. Here in the URL for the group and we look forward to reading and viewing you photos.

- CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Have a wonderful day and I will see you in The Rain

all photographs by Robert Swetz

All photographs by: Robert Swetz and copyrighted/ trademarked by Robert Swetz - Any duplication in any form with out the permission of Robert Swetz will be in violation of a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $3,000 dollars - For permission please call Robert direct at: 702-443-7156 or email him at: swetz444@yahoo.com