Great milk comes from happy cows. Happy cows come from California

So if you haven't seen the commercial I'm referring to, it's a play on the near-perfect weather of California. Here is the link: http://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/node/16

The remarkable thing is that after over a week in California, I'm beginning to think the joke is on the rest of the nation. The weather is absolutely enviable. Even in the midst of July, nights are cool in the Bay area. Everyday has burned off morning clouds to become sunny with low humidity, not too hot, not too cold. Then, you add on top of this some of the most beautiful scenery, fresh food and best wine in the world. It's a pretty compelling package.

After Santa Cruz, I've had a rapid tour. First, I drove south along Route 1 with the windows down and a pleasant seabreeze (above left). I made it all the way to Big Sur, which abuts one of California's many National Parks. Afterward I headed north for a night in San Francisco at a friend's home with an absolutely stunning view (above right). Finally, I drove south through the breadbasket of California, where I saw many head of cattle, to San Diego. Of course none of my cow pictures came out well, so I'm substituted the commercial (on the right).

Below, I've also attached some additional pictures from my first shoreline drive and a clip of Kim & Murphy (my friend and her incredible dog). Luckily, I don't lactate, but if I did, I might be making some incredible cheese. That may have been too much information for a public website, but here are three links to some powerful cheeses I've tried that were stupendous:

http://www.cheesestoresl.com/cheese/Cow/review_Red_Hawk.html

http://www.murrayscheese.com/prodinfo.asp?number=00000000094

http://www.dibruno.com/Detail.bok?no=1368

Miles driven: 3,240

Poker Update: Down over a thousand. Saving the rest of my pennies for Vegas

Quote of the Day: "“There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California.” - Edward Abbey

Source: Weather commerical on realcaliforniamilk.com