4a, group 2 my california

Ode to Caltrans/Hector Tobar
The writer of this story has many fond memories of the Southern California freeway system. The story shows how his opinion of what the freeway is now and what it represented to him as a child has changed in adulthood, but in many ways still holds a close spot in his heart. The author seems to hold the freeway system in high regard to this day and seems thankful to its many workers that lost their lives tirelessly working its over-used lanes. The author admits to the system being a great source of pollution and death, but gives it a place in California culture equal to any other.

"To sit in my father's Volkswagon with my nose pressed to the rear window, watching the traffic flow along with us at 55mph was as natural to me as walking along the fence posts of a country road would be to a boy from Nebraska" (p57)

Honestly, this writing made me think of why I hate commuting. I have never been to the Los Angeles area and do not plan on it. The only thing it makes me think of is why is this green hippy state so dependent on cars, commuting and dangerous over crowed roads.

I know nothing of So-Cal, so most of everything that the author wrote was something new to me. The name places are familiar to me, but I never bothered to think of there layout or there location relative to the other cities mentioned. I have never thought of freeways as a cultural asset or part of an individuals identity.

montalvo,myths, and dreams of home/Thomas Stienbeck
The essay is based on the feelings of hope and people looking for their dream land so to speak. The writer explores the Big Sur area, which holds a very tight grip on his heart and memories. This area is where the writer found his California paradise. The author goes in to several mythological sounding stories involving his grandmother, who would leave the "smaller people" or night watchers that live in the areas surrounding Big Sur fruit and candy that they would retrieve at night, the only time they can be seen. The smaller than normal humans would replace the gifts with feathers and candy.

"But now I suppose that age and philosophical resignation have withered my legendary resistance" (p61)

This story reminds me of one of the few things I truly love about California, the nature found here. My family and I spend most of our time hiking in Point Reyes with our camera, or driving out roads that appear to have not been used or maintained for years. We have so many spots that we consider "ours" and we are always sad to find out that someone else has found them that we are always looking for something or somewhere new to explore and enjoy without the bother of other people telling you how great it is.

I have never heard of any stories relating to "Dark Watchers" or any other mythological people residing in the Big Sur area. The author even states that these people have been spotted in more recent times as well.

The Last Little Beach Town/Edward Humes

This was by far the best story of the four that I read. The little beach town aka Seal Beach is surrounded by encroaching development and economic hardship appears to be on the horizon. The town is located in Orange county, I can not claim to know much of or care about Orange county, but we all know some of the stereotypes, so the idea that this picture perfect authentic undeveloped little community still exists is fantastic. The area had once before been tauted as a tourist area, but failed and is now desperate to get some finance moving through the area, but the last piece of undeveloped land appears to be on the chopping block.

"Except for the sky high cost of its real estate, the town has marched in the opposite direction from its sister beach cities, becoming smaller,quainter, more family oriented over time" p75

This essay made me think of many communities, not only in California. The state and country are full of unique charming little hamlets that offer all of us a break from the bullshit towns that we live in, but every community needs to eat. The economic concerns are felt in Seal Beach are the same in little towns across the country, bar the yuppie attitude and high cost of living.

Before I hade read this story I had no idea that non-shitholes exsisted in Orange County.