Well, US 101 isn't really a problem in California, since it's four lanes most of the way. It's California Highway 1 that can be frightening if you're going from north to south on the edge of the ocean. The treacherous (and spectacular) parts of Highway 1 are the Big Sur area south of Monterey, and the area north of Monterey (through San Francisco) to Mendocino. It's unbelievably beautiful, but much easier and safer if you drive north.

Yosemite can be a disappointment in August - the falls have diminished to a trickle by then. The Tioga Pass drive across Yosemite National Park is wonderful in August, but the more-famous Yosemite Valley is crowded and hot with disappointing waterfalls.

I live on the Interestate 80 Corridor, which also carries the Transcontinental Railroad. We're right next to the spectaular canyon of the North Fork of the American River. The wildflower season is diminishing here (at 2,300 feet), so we follow the wildflowers "up the hill." There will probably still be some snow at 8,000 feet in August. That's when we like to hike Mount Judah and Donner Peak, above Donner Lake. In July, the snow is still too deep for all but the best hikers.

My favorite place in California is Point Reyes National Seashore, just north of San Francisco. It's never very crowded, and it has lots of wildlife and wildflowers, and year-round whale watching. It has wonderful beaches to walk, and a spectacular lighthouse. Did I ever tell any of you I like lighthouses?

-Joe-