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California is known as The Golden State due to the discovery of gold way back in 1848, it’s vast fields of golden poppies that thrive every Spring, and the ever famous Golden Gate Bridge.

A number of years ago I was a manager for a Wisconsin-based company and traveled the USA & Canada, hiring and training reps. One of those reps was a very interesting fellow named Peter, who lived in California.We had brunch at a restaurant on the wharf where we could see the Golden Gate Bridge. We had a few hours before our first appointment so he asked me what I’d like to see. A big interest of mine then and now is antiques, so he promised to show me some amazing antiques. Not exactly what I was expecting, we ended up in the world renowned Muir Woods, a redwood forest which is north of San Francisco a few miles. It was breathtaking to stand amongst all the giant redwoods, so tall that they looked like they went right up into Heaven.

As he continued to give the California tour, he talked about the state bird, the California Valley Quail, as well as some items to consider taking home with me: the farmed California Osetra Caviar,(transmontanus white sturgeon);some California citrus, including navel oranges, Eureka/Lisbon lemons, tangerines, Cara Cara red navels, seedless lemons,(I didn’t even know they existed),and California grown Hass avocados, which are creamy and delicious with a rich nutty flavor.

All this talk about food was making me hungry so we stopped for a quick bite to eat. The Salad of the Day had a dressing that was so tasty I had to know what it was – Pomegranate Champagne Vinegar, which is a fruit enhanced vinegar that adds flavor without any of the fat. Imagine that, something that tastes good and healthy for you too.

Peter had previously been on a California college football team and was telling me about some of the California teams: USC, University of CA at Irvine, California Berkeley Golden Bears and the San Diego Chargers. When he talked about football, his eyes really lit up.

Other places Peter suggested should be on the agenda for another trip are Sacramento,the state capital and Bakersfield, the California country music capital. Peter commented that people were moving to California in droves and when I asked how he feels about that he replied, “I’d like to tell them that California is crowded, please move to New York.” Then he laughed. “Why do you think so many people are moving here ?” I inquired. “Because California chicks are hot !” he grinned. Shaking my head in dismay I replied, “You guys must all think alike.” We both laughed.

Here is a small sampling of recognizable people from California:

Tiger Woods, golfer
Serena & Venus Williams, tennis players
John Steinbeck, author
Sally K. Ride, astronaut
Robert Redford, actor
George Patton , general
Richard M. Nixon, 37th president
Mark McGwire, baseball player
Jack London, author
Jeff Gordon, car racer
Leonardo DeCaprio, actor
Julia Child, chef
Marcus Allen, football player