Oregonized

'POSTSCRIPT.--In the second chapter I allude to Stout Cortez staring at the Pacific. Shortly after the appearance of this narrative in serial form in America, I received an anonymous letter containing the words, "You big stiff, it wasn't Cortez, it was Balboa." This, I believe, is historically accurate. On the other hand, if Cortez was good enough for Keats, he is good enough for me. Besides, even if it was Balboa, the Pacific was open for being stared at about that time, and I see no reason why Cortez should not have had a look at it as well.'

- Foreword of 'The Clicking of Cuthbert', PG Wodehouse

The Pacific as stared at from Muir Beach Overlook, California Highway 1.

The Pacific is anything but. In truth, it looks pretty threatening. Calling it calm and peaceful would be tantamount to calling King Kong cute. Long years ago a friend of mine had painted a wonderful picture of the drive on the California Highway 1 - a winding road hugging the Pacific. I vividly remember the way he described the drive to me. In the movie 'The Shawshank Redemption' the Morgan Freeman character says in the last line 'I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams'. To paraphrase that memorable movie quote, for me it always has been 'I hope the Pacific is as wonderful as Prashant described it'. And it was. The drive was very exciting though on the way back I started feeling slightly sick in my tummy because of the winding route. But then they say that you can’t make omelets without breaking some eggs.

I will always love America  for giving me this beautiful surprise. This picture was taken near Lake Trillium in Oregon. I went to this place with the intention of seeing Mount Hood and the supposedly picturesque lake - and came back with this. Another memorable first.

By the way, I was also at San Francisco; was there during the Memorial Day weekend. How about some introductions? These things are not well known for people outside United States - the last Monday in May is called the Memorial Day and is a national holiday. A surge of happiness ran through me when I was entering San Francisco over the Bay Bridge and even as I type this I feel happy again. You are of course aware of the Golden Gate Bridge and the works. I wont run through the regular tourist attractions. You would check wikitravel if you want that. Allow me instead to introduce you to the most fascinating aspect of 'The City' - as it is casually referred to in the bay area -  its long undulating streets. The roads in San Francisco are the most unique thing that the visitor would see, leaving him gaping in wonderment.

I also got to visit the world famous - world, to Americans, as we all know, is America alone - Yosemite National Park. The weather did not permit me to take a look at its stand-out attraction, the Half Dome as they call it, but the place is definitely one of the most scenic places of natural beauty that one would ever see. The crystal clear waters, the huge naturally-formed-due-to-glacial-thingummybob granite rocks, the green surroundings - they all make the place a trekker's paradise and offer a memorable experience to the casual tourist. I of course was the casual tourist.

A few random observations:

If you want a desi-free flight, fly Portland to Sacramento. I wonder if the word Desi has entered the OED. If it has not, it must. Oh, the editor has not suggested a word replacement when I type the word in capitals.

In United States of America, the Ground Floor is called First Floor.

National Pastime - camping and hiking.

Southwest Airlines Rocks. The captain and the crew are all probably certified stand-up comics.

Pizzas Suck.

If you are in Portland and happen to be a book lover, don't miss Powell's City of Books. It is like a pilgrim centre for book lovers.

The tastiest burgers on the planet can be eaten at Red Robin.

I shall sign off with a picture of the Columbia River I took at the 'Crown Point' view during my drive on the 'Historic Columbia River Highway' - another All-American Road like the California Highway 1 - over the weekend.

Destination Next: Las Vegas

Comments

[Mahipal]

So dada.. u in US now.. congrats.. :)
Pacific reminds me ending of Shawshank Redemption also .

[Arvind]

that's coming too, of course. there has never been a cliche that has ever escaped me.

[Tappangya]

Dear Uncle Arvind:

Looks like you are having fun and not missing me much!! Sigh!!!! Nice photos ae...

[Deepali]

Hey Arvind,
Lovely article and fabulous pictures. Brought back memories of my trip to Yosemite and Golden Gate Bridge in 2000. How much longer will you in US?
Cheers,
Deepali

[Arvind]

Dear Tappu: Thank god it is you and not someone else saying this. Glad that you liked the photos. your mom on the contrary, had some unflattering things to say about photo - as usual.

Deepali: I am so happy to see your comment. Thanks for dropping by. I thought you completely forgot this friend. I will be here for another month.

[tappangya]

My mom is honest. She is your true friend. Who responds to your emails and/or hooks you up with friends in the middle of nowhere (Portland, OR) and/or spends hrs keeping you company at odd our on gtalk. Ptche, it takes a 15 month old to teach you to count your blessings, Uncle Arvind?!!!

[tappangya]

typo there...*odd hours on gtalk*

[smita]

Glad to know you were in my part of the world (I live in bay area and went to school in Oregon) and enjoyed it. One more amusing thing about United States that you may not have noticed is that many building elevators do not have a # "13" button. Either there is no 13th floor to the building at all or it is called smthing else. :) This is of course for superstitious reasons.

[Arvind]

Smita: you are right. i didn't notice it. because i never yet entered a building that has so many floors in United States. so, if you are right, the whole country suffers from triskadecaphobia.

[manohar]

great experience and equally great write up on your visit.i need not add to say 'you are having a great ball.lots of interesting stuff seems to have been dropped with intent

[Arvind]

thank you, mama. smiles. honest. i have mentioned all the interesting stuff.

[Ramesh Narayana ,Anatapur,AP,S.India]

Dear Arvind,I've been hearing about your blog thro' several quarters and i was wondering how and why all the guys n girls admire this guy.But i was really thrilled to go thro' your blog on Pacific blue,US visit and the photographs there in.I must really thank my dearest niece Arpita. It was she who was going thro' your blog.It seems she is a regular freak and visitor to your site.I could look into it as I heard a sudden scream and it was she who was in touch with that beautiful photograph and called me to look at it on the forenoon of 25 Jul as i was at Chennai to attend IIT Convocation of my nephew Abhi along with uncle Anil en route Tirupati. for once in my life I regretted myself for not being a computer savvy and ignorant of this instrument.If it so i must start right now at least to go thro' your interesting and refreshing blogs.we expect more n more such things about your current US and former Europe trips.Arpi,Abhi and Anil also join in conveying our best wishes.Congrats.

[Arvind]

thank you, Pappa. i am very happy to see that my ramblings meet with the approval of my father. and more so, i am happier to know that you got to read my little attempts at writing.

my bestest wishes to Anil Babai, Arpi, Abhi and you.

thank you once more for dropping by my blog on a sunny afternoon.

your intellectually inferior son,
Arvind

[Pratibha]

i must say, i am sometimes envious of all your travel adventures. :)

[Arvind]

Pratibha!! i too am sometimes envious of my travel adventures. :o)