目前分類:Jason's Hometown Stories (3)

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The Santa Catalina Island is twenty-two miles off the coast of Los Angeles.  It is, in my eyes, paradise on earth.  The folks on this island are so friendly that you’d think you are in another world.  As a teenager I visited Catalina often with my family because my uncle used to be a sheriff on the island.  This is where I received my first lesson in horseback riding.  It took my coach only two minutes to explain the basic maneuvers.  He told me to take the horse around the track a couple of times and then we were on our way to the mountain trails.  There were Rattlesnakes everywhere, but the horses were not frightened by their sounds at all.     

Most people would check themselves into a hotel when they are on the island, but if you want true seclusion from the modern world, you can visit one of the seventeen Boat-in Campsites.  These campsites can only be reached by kayak and you must bring your own food and drink.  At night, you and your loved one may enjoy a meal under the stars, completely undisturbed.  Nightly camping fees are only $12 per adult—this is a lot more affordable and romantic than your average hotel, don’t you think?  If you are not into camping, then a room at the Pavilion Lodge would run you $133.28 a night, tax included.

I'd like to know what you consider a fantasy trip.  What aspects of the United States would you like to see in my future articles?  I would appreciate your feedback.  If your idea is something that I can write about in my future article, you will receive two gift certificates to the Taipei Country Club.   There are plenty of gift certificates to go around, so please keep those ideas coming!  There is NO LIMIT as to how many tickets you can win.

 

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I Feel The Need For Speed! 

 

Have you ever been in a car that could go from 0 to 112 km/h in 3 seconds?  For only $15, you can satisfy your need for speed at the Speed Zone.  It is a mid-sized theme park located in the City of Industry.  In addition to the dragster rides, the park has three other race tracks, a state-of-the-art arcade, and two 18-hole miniature golf courses.  If this isn't enough of an adrenaline-pumping experience for you, then I suggest you check out the Hollywood Top Gun located in Van Nuys, Los Angeles.  You will sit in the co-pilot seat of an L-39 fighter jet and climb 1.2k.m.(4000ft.) per minute.  You will be doing loops and rolls over the Mojave dessert just like a professional Air Force pilot.  If you enjoy heart-pumping action, but going fast isn't exactly your cup of tea, then please tell me what turns you on.  You name it and I can find it for you.  Well, this concludes episode #2 of Jason's Hometown Stories. Is Los Angeles wild or what?  In our next episode, I will take you to Catalina, a small island off the coast of Los Angeles.  You can get there by ferry or small planes.  My wife got her first flying lesson in a Cessna on her way to Catalina.  Sounds exciting?  Please check back for the next episode.  

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 Balboa Island, California Venice in CA? 

I grew up in southern California, one of the most beautiful places on earth.  Some of my students have asked me to write about stories of my hometown in my blog so that they may see America through my eyes.  Balboa Island is the first installment of my hometown stories.  Balboa is located in Orange County, California.  Personally, I think Orange County has more culture and class than its neighboring L.A. County.  People who reside in this part of the town are considered "old money."  There is a free shuttle that takes you from the LAX airport to Balboa everyday.  Once you are here, you can rent a kayak for $15-$20 per hour or you can rent a boat for $50-$70 per hour.  If you are on a tight budget, you can take a harbor excursion or a dinner ferry.  Tour guides on these excursions will fill you in on the history of the island and the latest gossip news in town.  Many of the yachts in the harbor are owned by Hollywood celebrities.  Once in a while, yacht owners would invite you to board their yacht to have a drink or smoke a fat joint (hey, it happened to me).  From the harbor, you can board a ferry to the Catalina Island, another paradise on earth.  As you are cruising through the harbor, you will feel like you are in Venice.  There are plenty of good bars and restaurants in Balboa.  My favorite is the Ruby's Diner on Balboa Pier.  They serve the best fish tacos in orange county.  You and your date could watch the sunset on the pier and enjoy your Mexican food at the same time.  I can't think of anything more romantic than that.  For more stories on other romantic hangout spots in California, please come back to visit my blog.  I will have periodic photo and video updates for you.

 

By the way, if you are thinking about traveling abroad during your winter break, please check out

http://www.igoUgo.com  

You can read reviews, check out location photos, and get travel deals on the website.

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