The United States of America

Scubascott wrote:

I didn't know god was american. Come to think of it, it might explain a few things.

My last visit to the US only covered southern california, but some of the highlights were:

Death Valley
the Sierra Nevadas (The mountains, not the beer. That stuff was terrible)
squirels
chipmunks
rattlesnakes
coyotes
Being able to stand in the middle of the blazing desert and see snow-covered mountains in the distance.
The desert in general

Random acts of friendliness from strangers who usually couldn't understand what I was saying

Mexican food

General weirdness on Venice beach

The pub across the road from the sports ground at UCR. They made great pizza.

Other stuff that I like includes

The ability of americans to make fun of themselves

eg Southpark, The Simpsons, Futurama

The sheer complexity of the place. Such a diversity of people, lifestyles, cultures, politics, landscapes. I don't think I could ever understand it.

Edit: I forgot the kelp forests! The La Jolla and Catalina kelp forests provided some of the best diving I've ever done anywhere.