First visit to CA since I left 4 years ago...

[bigbossman]

I just returned to my home in Idaho, after a 10 day trip to northern and then southern CA. I was instantly reminded why of I moved away. It really is a case of the proverbial frog in the hot water...... In the decades of living in CA, I had become acclimated to the restriction of basic freedoms and hardly noticed the burdens that I was required to shoulder. After a short time living in Free America, returning to the constraints imposed on CA citizens was barely tolerable.

Flew home yesterday - Soooooooo glad to be back among sane people again.

[Dan_Eastvale]

I’ve only been back once 6 years ago
For a funeral

[racinjason233]

I still haven’t been back. I used to feel the oppressiveness disapate as soon as the plane was in the air on the way north and the elephant on my shoulders upon returning. We are so glad to be gone!!

[Romeo_alpha01]

I’m actually back in town for the holidays. Currently at a wedding at SF city hall. Awkward being in the same place that told me I was a public health hazard while I walk up the stairs recently drizzled with piss.

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by Dan_Eastvale

I’ve only been back once 6 years ago
For a funeral

I had to go back to NorCal for a business meeting, and figured since I was already behind the curtain I'd visit my brother in SoCal. It was a very weird feeling, like being the only live person in a sea of shambling zombies.

Nice weather, though.

[Fear58]

I leave Idaho to visit parents and family time to time. My dad, who raised me right, is slowly starting to turn into a bleeding heart liberal. I can't believe it.

It's always like breathing fresh air as soon as I get a bit past Winnemucca NV on the drive back.

I'm glad I got out! Something in the water.

[stormvet]

I’ve been back twice, once to the Central Valley for a wedding and once to see my niece’s new baby in Vista. Nice places to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there ha ha.

I still have a valid retired CA peace officer ID that authorizes concealed carry, so I’m still locked and loaded when I visit, don’t know if I would if I couldn’t. Although to be honest the AR in the lock box under my rear seat ain’t exactly CA legal.

Funny about your Dad fear, my nieces husband is a Texas boy and I’ve seen the change in him since he’s moved to SD county. He is turning more lib by the day.

[strakill]

I'm never going back.

I jokingly told my parents that if they croak in California I would not be at the funeral. They took that to heart and moved to Arizona.

I have an old customer at Vandenberg SFB that wants me to oversee a decommission project but they want me onsite. I told them to find a way to get me on that base that doesn't include me having to deal with the rest of the state and I'll consider it.

Hell, if they can launch rockets to send satellites into earths orbit that can take pictures of people standing on earth then they can find a different way for me to do the job that doesn't require me to be there.

[mshill]

I've been gone about 30 months but go back to visit my mom, play in baseball tournaments, visit friends and usually combine all three in a single trip. I grew up in the SF Bay Area and despise having to even drive through it. Thankfully none if the people or places I visit are in the Bay Area.

[Dougbert66]

We left August of 2021. I had to return in September to move our remaining possessions and finish prepping the house to sell. I drove a rental car back out there because I had to bring an air mattress, assorted moving supplies, etc. Plus flying then was ridiculous (masks, etc.).

I had heen dreading the trip after moving to a free state. As soon as I crossed into CA I got more tense. I was in state for about a week. It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of oppressive gloom...people still wearing masks, still afraid of normalcy, and thinking they're all doing the right thing. The groupthink is really impressive.

Driving out of there in a loaded Penske truck was sweet relief. I cheered when I crossed the AZ border even though I had another 2000+ miles to go. I have not returned and hopefully never will.

[DesertDave100]

Other than camping in Yosemite and Death Valley, I hadn't crossed back into CA since 2019 when I moved away, until Thanksgiving weekend.

I visited a friend in the Bay Area. It is very stressful once you leave the rural areas in CA and hit the flat land. And going through the East Bay really stressed me out. Interstate Highways stop and go, Waze routed me through Hayward surface streets. Ugh.

I'd forgotten how unfriendly the average person you cross paths with is back there. Still freaks wearing masks. Plenty of garbage to pick up if you are so inclined.

I guess that's what happens when you pack too many people together - everyone is anonymous and they don't feel the need to be civilized.

[bigbossman]

It was a weird feeling, going back to someplace that I felt more or less comfortable in, to feeling claustrophobic and trapped after being gone a short while.

[DaveInOroValley]

Wife and I have both said "Nope, no reason to ever set foot there again". That in itself is a great feeling.

[Aldemar]

Left in May, 2018. Had to go back in March, 2020 for a funeral. I decided to drive as the airlines were in COVID mode back then. I wanted to be sure I could get out of there. Got flipped off several times as my truck with Texas plates labels me as "The Enemy" to the woke folks that seemed to gave taken over the state. Didn't spend a nickel while I was there: my truck has a big enough tank to get me in and out without refueling. Stayed at a friends house overnight and took enough snacks to get me back over the river.

[socal m1 shooter]

But but but how is the cycling weather in northern ID at the moment?

By the way is it true that some of the honorable citizens of ID occasionally take target practice with their truck guns on the angel Moroni statues atop the local stake house pinnacle?

[nitroxdiver]

Welcome home bossman. I refuse to go there for any reason.

[sigstroker]

Originally Posted by stormvet

I’ve been back twice, once to the Central Valley for a wedding and once to see my niece’s new baby in Vista. Nice places to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there ha ha.

I still have a valid retired CA peace officer ID that authorizes concealed carry, so I’m still locked and loaded when I visit, don’t know if I would if I couldn’t. Although to be honest the AR in the lock box under my rear seat ain’t exactly CA legal.

Funny about your Dad fear, my nieces husband is a Texas boy and I’ve seen the change in him since he’s moved to SD county. He is turning more lib by the day.

Heh, once upon a time I moved from AZ to kali. When I moved back 25 years later, if anything I was more right than when I left. I had never worried about politics in AZ because almost everyone I knew thought the same way. Plus, I found Rush Limbo and G Gordon Liddy when I was in kali.

[skilletboy]

Originally Posted by bigbossman

It was a weird feeling, going back to someplace that I felt more or less comfortable in, to feeling claustrophobic and trapped after being gone a short while.

Man I know that feeling all too well... One of the main reasons I left was everytime I would leave the Bay Area, or go out of state, upon returning, the closer I got to Mountain View, it felt like a noose restricting around my neck. It felt like going back to jail.

I've been back to CA 3 times now in the last 2 years, only to visit family, and each time it's tough to stay too long and I get such a relief to leave. Usually around the time I pass Richie Bros on the 5 and then past Redding do I start to feel better.

It's also sad because I think we all agree CA used to be a beautiful place. Sometimes I do find myself missing and longing for a home that just doesn't exist anymore. The CA of my youth is gone. Sure the mountains are still there to enjoy, but it's just not my home. I feel kinda homeless in that regard now.

[ACfixer]

I went back in June 2021 to grab an airplane, and then back unfortunately in early '22 for a funeral. It got worse in those 8 months.

I don't know guys... I miss a few people there, and I'm sometimes tempted to grab a flight and go visit but then I read threads like this and it snuffs that fire right out.

[Dubster]

We have to drive back in February to help our daughter. Not looking forward to being there!

[psssniper]

Currently back and forth the last three years between Texas and california. Every time we land in ca I swear you can feel the oppression, land in Tejas and you feel the freedom.


Edit: wow that was my 3000th post

[MJB]

Bunch of wimps........

[Sutcliffe]

Since retirement, I’ve been back for two weddings, a trip to wrap up some banking.

A good friend is throwing a 50th Bday bash in January, so I will be going down for that.

[mojo goat]

Originally Posted by MJB

Bunch of wimps........

You're right!!!!
Some of us will not bend over and take it.
Every year they put it further in, how far can you take it?
Must like it.......?

[GW]

Every time I go back to California, all I can think about is how soon I can get out of there. I was born there and lived 62 years there when I left. My oldest nephew had enough and moved to Montana 2 years ago and he feels the same way. If our family didn't live there I would never go back.

[NavCop]

Left nearly 4 years ago; never been back, never plan to.

[covingtonhouse]

Originally Posted by MJB

Bunch of wimps........

How would you feel if you had to figuratively jump into a pit toilet to accomplish a task?
That's what I felt like the last time I had to visit CA.

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by covingtonhouse

How would you feel if you had to figuratively jump into a pit toilet to accomplish a task?
That's what I felt like the last time I had to visit CA.

Don't be too hard on him, some people like being forced to submit and do harmful things. They get some sort of charge out of it.

[desertjosh]

I've been in Idaho for 2 years now. I haven't been back to Cali once. I have no reason to step foot in that state again.

[M76]

It’s just after 5AM and I already need a drink reading this thread;
someday I’ll break free of this gigantic outdoor insane asylum…

[nitroxdiver]

Originally Posted by M76

It’s just after 5AM and I already need a drink reading this thread;
someday I’ll break free of this gigantic outdoor insane asylum…

We’ll keep the lights on for you. Start your exodus planning now

[colossians323]

You guys are funny.
I have family there and visit once a month.
I agree with your sentiments here, but it really is not a bad place to visit.
Whenever I come back to my home state, there is a sigh of relief when I cross the border.

I remember when I first moved the winters used to bug me. I now look forward to them. This year has been the coldest yet.
Our pond has been frozen since november 1 (except for where we have one aerator).

Life out of California is truly better.
One of my kids is coming down from Oregon, tomorrow we are going to have a machine gun shoot in my backyard

[clb]

Please take someone with you when you leave

[MEGSDAD]

Most of my family is still in Calif. We visit several times a year. Always nice to get out of Sacramento area and head to Trinity County to see Daughter and Grandkids. Rural Northern California is a completely different state.

[jigenax]

I moved out last December and been back two times to pick up a few left over stuff. The last drive over was horrible. It was just a quick drive to Roseville/Rocklin but on the way home, a big chunk of concrete smashed my windshield. It took nearly 3 months to get a replacement since it's a 2022 Tundra TRD Sport. 3rd party glass wouldn't work since it couldn't support GPS/radar/high beam detection/XM-FM-AM radio. It had to be factory glass.

Before that nightmare drive, I drove that same truck over 5500 miles on a long road trip from NV thru UT, WY, CO, TX, OK, NM, and AZ without any incidents. Only CA has tons of garbage and debris all over their roads.

Next time I go back, if I go back, I'll rent a car instead. And like others have said, I won't buy anything in CA. Gas up before crossing over, bring my own food/water/coffee.

[Cowboy T]

Originally Posted by skilletboy

Man I know that feeling all too well... One of the main reasons I left was everytime I would leave the Bay Area, or go out of state, upon returning, the closer I got to Mountain View, it felt like a noose restricting around my neck. It felt like going back to jail.

I've been back to CA 3 times now in the last 2 years, only to visit family, and each time it's tough to stay too long and I get such a relief to leave. Usually around the time I pass Richie Bros on the 5 and then past Redding do I start to feel better.

It's also sad because I think we all agree CA used to be a beautiful place. Sometimes I do find myself missing and longing for a home that just doesn't exist anymore. The CA of my youth is gone. Sure the mountains are still there to enjoy, but it's just not my home. I feel kinda homeless in that regard now.

It's funny you say that. I remember growing up in the Bay Area, and yes, it really was a beautiful place. I miss what it used to be, a place where the "live, and let live" spirit was so much in the air that you could almost taste it. That's the philosophy I grew up with, "live and let live". That's really what made California so great back then, even with our problems. Sure, Big Sur is beautiful. So are the beaches, the mountains, and yes, farm country too. But it really was the culture then that made it wonderful. As a kid, it was hard to even imagine leaving the state as my permanent residence, and even when I did, I'd hoped for a long time that I'd be able to return.

That "live and let live" culture appears to be gone now. It's been replaced by something ugly, something I remember reading about in history books, about countries like the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, and several others.

I still take pride in being from San Francisco, CA. No matter where I may reside, I am and always will be a Californian and a San Franciscan in particular. That's because I'm from the San Francisco of the 1970's and early 1980's. It can be that again, if only the people would wake up.

[Creeping Incrementalism]

Originally Posted by DesertDave100

I guess that's what happens when you pack too many people together - everyone is anonymous and they don't feel the need to be civilized.

That's true - when population density hits a certain critical mass, the a-hole factor explodes exponentially. I grew up in Walnut Creek and I remember being shocked how rude people were in San Francisco. But Walnut Creek crossed some threshold about 5-10 years ago and now I encounter almost as many a-holes in Walnut Creek as I did in S.F. 25 years ago.

[bigbossman]

Originally Posted by Creeping Incrementalism

That's true - when population density hits a certain critical mass, the a-hole factor explodes exponentially. I grew up in Walnut Creek and I remember being shocked how rude people were in San Francisco. But Walnut Creek crossed some threshold about 5-10 years ago and now I encounter almost as many a-holes in Walnut Creek as I did in S.F. 25 years ago.

Plus - there are some cultures that are, shall we say, a little more prone to pushing and shoving to get what they want/need.