mirthquake

I've lived all over the US, and have spent time in 46 states. Given your apparent interests and the places and events you have expressed interest in, please allow me to suggest the following as places to not miss on your next visit:

• Los Angeles, CA. You may only want to spend a couple days here, because it's a huge city and public transportation is terribly inadequate. But you repeatedly mentioned growing up viewing America through the lens of films and television, and here's where it all is. In an afternoon spent walking around Beverly Hills you can see many of the familiar sights that you've seen countless times on the screen. It's a vibrant city full of diverse culture, glamor, nightlife, and excellent people-watching. If you plan months ahead of time (maybe even a year ahead), you can book free tickets to be in the live studio audience of the filming of your favorite TV shows. This can be LOTS of fun. I've gone to That 70s show, Everybody Loves Raymond, and a few more. My sister went to Friends and Conan O'Brien. The shoots take 5-7 hours, you are kept entertained the entire time by various comedians and musicians, the hosts and stars often spend time chatting with the crowd, sometimes the guests will tease individual members and give out merchandise. It's a lot of fun for no money.

• Taking a bus North along the California coast is stunning. The Pacific can a violent and dramatic ocean, and it thrusts into California's jagged cliffs with large waves and bursts of water. If you like to camp, which I believe you do, make certain to spend time at Big Sur. It is a thickly wooded area where you can pitch a tent on the beach and hike into the redwoods. The trees, rocks, waves, and sky all seem larger than life. It's the perfect spot to go alone with a book or a camera or simply by yourself and get lost in thought for a few days. This may be my favorite natural spot in all of America.

• San Francisco, CA. The city's culture is unlike anywhere else in the country, and its landscape, architecture, music/art/nightlife, and food are all exceptional. It's a fun-loving, welcoming, international place where all types of people come together to celebrate each other. Be sure to wander around the Mission District, the Castro District (see some films at the gorgeous Castro Theater), don't miss the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood and the adjacent Golden Gate Park, take a train under the Bay and visit Berkeley on a sunny afternoon, ride the ferry to Alcatraz Island for the best museum tour I have ever taken, visit Fisherman's Wharf to find the Musee Mechanique. Spend weeks here if possible, and also give yourself time to wander North through Napa and Sonoma, which are beautiful regions (similar to Southern France in weather and appearance) full of exceptional wine and food and relaxed culture, and up into Humboldt and Mendocino Counties, each of which are overgrown with lush vegetation, down-to-Earth farming communities and liberal universities, and are world-famous for their fine marijuana cultivation.

• Okay. As I was writing that last bit about San Francisco, I realized that I could spend the next 12 hours writing about and linking to my favorite destinations, both general and specific, located across this massive nation. So instead of writing a novel I'll just write an abbreviated list and invite you to send me a private message at any time, now or in the future, if you have any questions. I have friends all over this country, so if I don't have the answer I'll know someone who will.

• The Badlands region of South Dakota, which echoes some of the geographic appeal of the Grand Canyon, but is much more haunting and desolate in the way that the vast stretches of Wyoming are. It is simply breathtaking.

• Oregon and Washington both have culturally rich cities, geographically interesting landscapes, and are beautiful due to lush foliage and interesting coastlines. If you visit Washington I insist that you take the short bus ride up to Vancouver, Canada, which is too much fun to miss.

• New England, especially Southern Vermont, Southern New Hampshire, coastal Maine, and Western Massachusetts. The pastoral beauty of these states is unsurpassed. All 4 seasons are strikingly different and have their unique charms, so choose carefully based on your preferences. I strongly prefer Summer for outdoor activities and simple relaxation and Autumn for its hypnotically crisp air and unsurpassed beauty. If you cannot tell, this is where I live, so I may be biased.

• Washington, DC. It is always overrun with tourists, which is a nuisance. But it's nonetheless interesting enough to spend a day or two there to see such grand architecture and monuments such as the White House, Lincoln Monument, Washington Monument, Vietnam Memorial, etc. Regardless of your nationality or political beliefs, these are spectacular and historically significant buildings and monoliths that I am glad I saw. Especially the Lincoln Memorial.

• NEW ORLEANS. Trust me. Spend as much time here as possible, and stay in or near the French Quarter. You may never want to leave.

I was selected to be a participant. A theater tech approached me before the show (I'm assuming it was based on my seat, which was at the edge of the back row) and ask if I'd like to be part of the show. I agreed and partway through the performance someone guided me backstage and positioned me under a table. Next thing I knew an object was removed from my head and I could see the audience cheering. I was later told that my head popped out of a cake or something.

Edit--My head popped out of a jello mold, not a cake

This thread is blowing my sentimental mind! I don't think I even understood what a condom was, but I knew it was dirty, so I felt like the coolest 6-year-old in the world. Especially after cracking all those security questions at the beginning of the game.

Better than being famous for not giving a shit.

Thank you for posting such a wonderful question! I love the answer that your question prompted.

dit--speling