OK, we've got forum residents in the DeeCee area meeting for Y2K "port and cigars", and Texans gathering for Y2K BBQ. What about us SoCal denizens? I know that there are plenty of posters from up in Central and Northern CA (Hi, Diane!), but we obviously have to make the gathering "geographically desirable", so I'll focus on LA and points south.

Let's pick a spot in the middle, say, Anaheim or Irvine. How many people would be up for a get-together? Picnic, beach party, wine-and-cheese, "Ren Fest", whatever. Just a chance for people to meet and nosh and chat, swap Y2K war stories, debate FEMA directives, whine about traffic, etc. I don't like the labels, but suffice to say that whether "Polly" or "Doomer", all are welcome. Heck, to most folks, anyone who has prepared AT ALL is a "Doomer"!

Maybe mid-June? Summer Solstice and all that. Any interest?

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), May 14, 1999

Answers

Are you telling me there's more than one GI south of Santa Cruz?

-- Puddintame (achillesg@hotmail.com), May 14, 1999.

Puddintame -

Greetings from Alta California to the People's Republic of Santa Cruz! We desire only peaceful trade supporting the acquisition of real sourdough and other essentials. [g]

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), May 14, 1999.

Yeah, Mac ...

But just wait until you guys want more of "our" water! (Wearing NorCal hat).

Hey doancha' wanna share our sunshine 'n movies? (Wearing SoCal hat).

*Sigh*

Sounds fun, Mac.

Diane, split between where I am, and where I'd rather be (back on the SoCal Idyllwild mountain top).

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 14, 1999.

As far as I am concerned, all of you are Southern California. Anything South of Sacramento is, well, South!

And don't get my ire up about water---Currently folks south of Sacramento are trying to bust up post and pre 191 water agreements in order to promote more SoCal water wasting.

If you all would just control growth down there, maybe, just maybe....naw it would never happen. All I can say is is that come y2k, there has been talk by folks to cut off the major highways and keep you all in the festering cesspool of cities. I think it was the Sheriff who suggested the idea.

Us "Northern Californians" would be more than happy to be left alone.

-- mrsbigdaddy (mrsbigdaddy@webt.net), May 14, 1999.

As far as I am concerned, all of you are Southern California. Anything South of Sacramento is, well, South!

And don't get my ire up about water---Currently folks south of Sacramento are trying to bust up post and pre 1914 water agreements in order to promote more SoCal water wasting. Under the Cal-Fed agreement, us folks are to pump air whilst SoCal gets to wash down their sidewalks.

If you all would just control growth down there, maybe, just maybe....naw it would never happen. All I can say is is that come y2k, there has been talk by folks to cut off the major highways and keep you all in the festering cesspool of cities. I think it was the Sheriff who suggested the idea.

Us "Northern Californians" would be more than happy to be left alone.

-- mrsbigdaddy (mrsbigdaddy@webt.net), May 14, 1999.

Salutations from the totally kewl Free Republic of South L.A. County!!! This "doomer" is up for it!!! Totally, fer sure. It'll be rad, man. Like, I'll bring my family too! My son's a big time GI Kahuna even if he doesn't know it yet.

Mike ====================================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), May 14, 1999.

Mac,

Sounds good. Why not Riverside area. Heck most of you folks are gonna be flocking for points east on the 10 or 15 anyway. Might as well learn the way!

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), May 14, 1999.

{{whispering}}

hey Carlos... uh... if I slip you a little green can you give me some good routes east that avoid the 10 and the 15? and uh... that don't run by any military bases...

: )

Mike (who is wondering what the resale value of a map like that would be worth come the S**tstorm) ==============================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), May 14, 1999.

mrsbigdaddy,

If No.Cal. was a better place to live than So.Cal. you would have the 12 plus million now in the LA basin up there with you. How's the mosquito repellant working?

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybercom.net), May 14, 1999.

California north of Sacramento is known as "Superior California" for a reason. I agree that anything Sacramento south is either central or southern California, or some other planet. Those of us in the borderlands of California and Oregon also live in the great State of Jefferson. It exists in our hearts, even if its' actual creation was thwarted by Pearl Harbor. We are a mountain people rich in resources, history, independent spirit and "grit."

Y'all go ahead and have yer wine and cheese tastin' on the beach - We'll tie a couple a rubber rafts together and float the river; then tell y2k nightmare stories 'round a bonfire.

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), May 14, 1999.

His-s-s--t ... Michael.

Don't wait until the last minute. Go SOUTH along PCH below Laguna Beach. At Dana Point Harbor, cut over to San Juan Capistrano to the Ortega Highway. Go past Lake Elsinor, along 74 towards Hemet.

Disappear into the mountains straight East or South East (more water). Do NOT go as far as Palm Desert/Springs (not enough water). This way you bypass the 10, the 15, March AFB, and the El Toro Base.

Also ... get several AAA detailed maps ... of all areas. Stockpile, ugh ... stash in car, for emergency reference.

Second hint ... get out of Southern California instead (not enough water that too many people want).

Until you depart ... "Life's a beach!"

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 14, 1999.

And now all you Forum readers can understand why there have been discussions for decades about splitting California into two or possibly three states. C'mon, folks, I'm just trying to arrange a little get-together, not re-hash the plot of Chinatown. 8-}]

Let's focus on an Orange County location for now (heck, that's still an hour+ drive for me.) So far we've got Michael (aka DesignDog), Carlos and possibly Diane. Anyone else interested?

And Diane, thanks for the route. Some of my in-laws live near Laguna Beach, so a rendezvous there has some possibilities...

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), May 15, 1999.

marsh, "State of Jefferson?" It'll be Cascadia yessirree, scoopee ya up from Cape Mendocino thru Vancouver BC on up North a ways -- how far North is still being debated, because Alaska wants in. Cascadia!

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), May 15, 1999.

Mac,

Used to live in Laguna Beach ... 3 1/2 years. But still viewed self as a transplanted "NorCal'er."

LB's a fun place to meet.

Laguna Beach - guide to hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shopping. (See picture)

http://www.lagunabeach.com/

Laguna Beach Online - home of the Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters.

http://www.laguna- beach.ca.us/

Laguna Beach Restaurants

http:// www.laguna-beach.ca.us/lagtoeat.htm

Interactive Map of Orange County Restaurants - Online Guide

http:// www.onlineguide.com/restaurants/Map_Explorer/

I might have to win the lotto to make it, though. So, don't count me as signed up ... yet.

Diane

(Waving "hi" Leska!)

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 15, 1999.

Hi Diane & all you Califlowers! If we won the lottery we would, #1 Buy a fantastic bug-out fortress retreat (in Cascadia natch ;^), and #2, fly all interested Yourdynamites up for a long weekend all-out bug-brainstorm bash! WheeHeee!

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), May 15, 1999.

Around Lake Whatcom near Bellingham, WA -- close to Canada. Paradise! Cold wet & snowy, but it's like a miniature Norway. Gorgeous!

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), May 15, 1999.

OK you Southern Cascadians, just ran across this tidbit and gotta post it to recognize how close y'all came to Jefferson State!

"When the Japanese Zeroes broke out of the clouds and attacked Pearly Harbor on the morning of December 7th, 1941, their bombs and torpedoes did more than destroy the U.S. Pacific fleet.
They brought the Americans into World War II and ended the process for the creation of the state that would have separated California and Oregon.

In the 1930s, California and Oregon negotiated to divide part of each state to form a new state that roughly ran from Redding, California to Roseburg, Oregon.
The residents of this area had never felt part of either state and were elated at the possibility of having their own state. By 1941, the process to become a new state was completed.
A contest was sponsored in a local newspaper to name the new state. The residents chose "Jefferson as the name of the state and Yreka as its temporary capital.

As history would have it, the congressional vote to form the state was slated for December the 8th of 1941. The repercussions of Japan's attack ended the promising future of the State of Jefferson when the vote was lost in the confusion of that fateful day.
Had this historic vote passed, as was predicted by its wide support, Jefferson would have been our 49th state -- a state known today for having some of the most beautiful scenery, interesting wine history and unique wines of the West."
------------------------------------------------------------------
xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxx

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), May 16, 1999.

Thanks Leska,

History has a way of constantly surprising us. It seems to rarely be the way we "thought" it was.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 16, 1999.

Hey Leska--

Could you use a handy man in Cascadia? I already have my parka, mukluks, bunny boots, and plenty of tools.

-- spun@lright (mikeymac@uswest.net), May 16, 1999.

Leska - We celebrate the State of Jefferson days in the County of Siskiyou. A hay barn rooftop outside of Yreka announces that you are now in the State of Jefferson. Last fall, they had a re-creation of events down the Klamath. (In the original movement - armed locals stopped interstate traffic and passed out literature. This scene was recreated, but not on I-5, lol.)

The original state did not include Shasta County (Redding,) just the central border counties of Oregon and California. The concept has been revived over the decades for numerous reasons. The current reason is local control, property rights and fewer and more sensible regulations that allow management of natural resources based on practical science. There is a considerable urban/rural schism in California and Oregon.

Our particular County has 6,600 sq miles, with a total population of 42,000. 65% is federal or state land. We have layers upon layers of endangered species from the spotted owl to the coho salmon. What makes sense in LA, makes no sense here. People are fed up to the teeth with clueless urbanites making regulations about the "environment" that create massive health, safety and economic problems for ruralites and actually hamper sound stewardship. The State of Jefferson County Fair is this Saturday at the fairgrounds in Yreka. It celebrates individualism and the concepts embodied in foundational American thinking. A primary theme will be property rights. (We have 7 grassroots property rights groups in the north county alone.)

The natives are restless. We may even elect a governor. Who knows, it could be me -lol.

-- marsh (siskfarm@snowcrest.net), May 16, 1999.

Vote Marsh for Jeffy Gov!

Has a nice ring to it.

Just don't go trying to overstep your boundaries and taking Napa Valley away! We treasure that liquid gold.

Diane

(Used to live in Arcata -- in dem long ago college years)

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 16, 1999.

Hi, just got back to my forlorn iMac briefly -- Marsh is perfect name for swampy borders, s/he'll win!
spun@lright, for some reason I thought you were already here in Cascadia. Handyppl are always welcome, ESPECIALLY in @ 8 months ;^)
Of course Diane knows we've been trying to get her to relocate here -- but we don't have a rural community that's cozy, artsy, organic, and cohesive enough. Been looking and can't find it anywhere around Oregon/Washington border area.
For Oregon/Cali, heard Brookings is great.
For Washington/Canada, know Bellingham is awesome! But cold & wet.

Had never even heard of Jefferson State until this thread -- stooopid history text never gets to the good stuff ;^)

But just think, Cascadia brings all the original independent common-sense love & preserve the land pioneer-types together in the most beautiful fertile varied swath of land on Earth!
Long live Cascadia :-)
Now when and where can Cascadian Yourdynamites meet? July is the best month; the sun actually makes an appearance, yet the greenery is in full lush sway. What say the rest of you? Cascadian & Southern Califlowers could meet in Yreka :^)
We had our honeymoon in Carpinteria -- a great meeting spot on the beach park there near Santa Barbara. We're up for that in June. Any later is too hot!

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (ahhh ;) (allaha@earthlink.net), May 16, 1999.

You are welcome to meet in Yreka, but it really is rather slow and rural. Ya gotta like camping and such, otherwise not much to do there until the balloon festival in the fall. (goto http://www.snowcrest.net/siskfarm/Stew3.html and scroll down for pretty pictures.)

Ashland is nice and yuppie. It has the Britt, Shakespeare and southern Oregon State U. A tad more sophisticated than Yreka. Mt. Shasta is awesome to look at. Great haven for New Agers, if you're into Lemurians. (goto http://www.snowcrest.net/siskfarm/county.html and scroll down to see the Mt.)

My little area is supposed to be like the alps. Lots of snow tipped forest mountains with rugged waterfalls and tucked away tiny green valleys. We have rodeos, otherwise, we entertain ourselves.

Lots of cheap land, but you can't cut yer trees, use your water or find any work.

There are approx 2 cows for every person here and a quarter of a horse or mule - lol. Hmmmm, wonder if they vote.....

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), May 17, 1999.

Leska, m'dear -

In the spirit of Ashland:

Thou hast most cruelly o'ertaken this thread, m'lady, and raveled it out to your own ends. Cascadians and pretenders thereto, verbose and full of tales historical, do jostle and jibe herein, whilst those who live in more temperate climes and were the meat and subject of this exchange have ceased their discourse. Prithee, create for those who dwell 'mongst emerald greens and air like finest wine a place where such consort may more properly be held.

More succinctly: Start yer own thread!! 8-}]

And yeah, maybe I overdid it just a touch: He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument. --- HOLOFERNES, Love's Labour's Lost, Act V, Scene 1

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), May 17, 1999.

Sorry, Mac, that Jefferson thing got me kinda intrigued. Didja notice we're willing to drive all the way to Carpinteria to meet you? That's gotta be a Yourdynamite record! Didn't mean to hijack, just history overenthusiasm. Back to Mac!

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), May 17, 1999.

Good grief youse guys - get on topic:

A perfectly good thread - then it becomes a war between No califlowers and So califlowers; then jefferson split's off -which isn't really even there yet - then there's a secret map to get to where they aren't meeting - which isn't decided yet - then where they aren't meeting becomes a history lesson - which is wierd since califlower really has six or seven distinct histories (geo-unlogical, Indian, mexican, gold, american (WWII, aircraft/aviation/rockets, farming, irrigation, and oil), hollywood, and hippies.

Then they get off-subject again - still haven't found a meeting place yet - then they have two level 5 earthquakes last week (NW of Palm Sprigs and Yosimite underneath their latest volcano) and may yet split into three or four states ......

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), May 17, 1999.

Sir Robert -

Hey, we INVENTED A.D.D., fella! You try navigating 60-100 miles of crowded freeway for an hour or two every morning and again every night, 5 times a week, and see what it does to YOUR thinking processes! 8-}]

Back on topic: per Diane, would Laguna Beach work for a get-together? (Gad, it's like herding cats...)

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), May 17, 1999.

Yeah I've heard of cats, but couldn't brand 'em....so they were all maverick's....8<)

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), May 17, 1999.

Oh yeah, you can make jokes. Setting up the GA meeting was cake (or maybe cobbler): "If yer up north, get on 41 and head south, then get off at 102 and head on over to th' Big Barn. If down south, get on 41 and head north, then do the same."

*sigh*

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), May 17, 1999.

Oh come on, give me a break - at the square dance club, the old timers still call Hwy 41 "4 Lane" - because it was the first paved four lane road through GA - made it easy to give directions when there was only one through road in the county.

Of course, at the square dance club, they are almost all old timers, and since some of them actually *remember* the road being paved, maybe I ought to keep my mouth shut.....

Got highways? Do they go anywhere? Can you "go" on them to get anywhere you want to go?

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), May 17, 1999.

Robert,

Highways only work in Southern CA when there's no rain. When the "cats 'n dogs" strike ... head for a parking lot. Or stay on a freeway and sit in one.

SoCalers are lousy drivers when wet!

Mac,

I hesitate to say Laguna, 'cause I don't know if I can make it, but it would be my first choice.

;-D

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 17, 1999.

"SoCalers are lousy drivers when wet!"

Diane! I am shocked!!! Don't you realize those are all the transplants from elsewhere? Take it from a So Cal native who knows these things. I've been hit on the freeway three times. Twice by people from elsewhere... and uh... well the third was an attempted car jacking so we wont go there.

I tell you this, I'm very happy that my commute is 15 steps from my bedroom to my studio!

I don't care where the heck the location is. All I want is for the thing to take place.

Mike =========================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), May 17, 1999.

So - you're back to herding cat's - but now they're wet cats, on the road, in the rain, mixed up with dogs.....8<)

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), May 17, 1999.

Well, friends, not exactly a massive volume of responses so far. As noted, we have about three attendees right now (Michael, Carlos, and possibly the lovely and talented Diane). Anyone else?

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), May 21, 1999.

Think ya gotta "e" Donna with a private invitation, Mac.

Michael, the LAST time I willingly drove the 405 in the rain was from Woodland Hills to Laguna. Since I don't "do" traffic the trip used to take me about 1 1/2 hours.

When $%#^*%@ wet and slippery, the 101 to 405 drive took me 4 1/2 hours!!! I rest my case.

Laguna's still "kewl," or is that "killer," as in beachy?

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 21, 1999.

If SoCal weather is like NoCal weather though - this time of year you could take the roof off of your house and leave it open until about mid-October. It was dry up there (SFO and Central Valley) between April and Oct!)

So I wouldn't thin kwet driving wil be a threat now - next January though?

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), May 21, 1999.