Whatever you love, you are

Los Angeles: Authentic roots

Souvenir stands give it a strictly-for-tourists rep, but Olvera Street anchors El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, where L.A. truly started. There’s good Angeleno history at Avila Adobe; even better margaritas and Mexican food at La Golondrina ($$; 213/628-4349). elpueblo.lacity.org

Los Angeles: Art stop

Miracle Mile’s the classic nickname for the mid-Wilshire stretch of Wilshire Boulevard. These days it should be called Masterpiece Way—two major expansions in three years have pushed the L.A. County Museum of Art (pictured) to the top of culture lovers’ must-see lists. $15; lacma.org

Carpinteria: Call it Carp

That’s the locals’ moniker for one of California’s prettiest little beach towns. Stroll down Linden Avenue for surf shops and a great steak joint (the Palms, $$; 805/684-3811), then wade at Carpinteria State Beach. carpinteriachamber.org

Avila Beach: Coast newbie

Meet the beach town you haven’t heard of—Avila Beach, tucked along San Luis Obispo Bay. What’s here? A cool old pier (avilabeachpier.com) with two good restaurants: Pete’s Pierside Cafe ($) and Olde Port Inn ($$$). And hot tubs at nearby Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort (from $13/hour; sycamoresprings.com)

San Luis Obispo: Smile

A recent book named this university town one of the happiest places on Earth. One source of local joy is SLO’s Thursday Night Downtown Farmers’ Market, maybe the best in the nation. downtownslo.com

Soledad: Hidden gem

Just off 101, Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (831/678-2586) is simple and sweet, with a pretty grove of Mission olives. 

Notes from the road trip:

1)     Great snacks:

1.     오이와 당근은 잠을 깨운다. Hummus 랑 함께 먹으면 좀 덜 심심하다.

2.     파프리카 (bell peppers) 는 수분함량이 높아 화장실을 자주 가지 않게 하면서도 충분한 수분을 제공한다.

3.     Beef jerkey: especially the peppered beef jerkies

4.     사탕: 보통 때는 음식점에서 디저트로 주는 사탕도 사양하는 편인데, 운전할 때 입이 바싹바싹 마르는 것을 방지한다.

5.     사과를 한봉지씩 사 두면 배가 아주 고플 때 (특별히 과일이 땡기지 않는다 하더라도 억지로) 하나씩 먹으면 신경이 지나치게 예민해지는 것을 예방한다.

2)     (Great, or just) Conversation makers:

1.     Would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf?

2.     What’s your biggest secret? (I’m supposed to hear it before he leaves.)

3.     Which super power would you want most?

4.     어느 지역을 지날 때마다, “Could you live here?”

5.     Possible names for boys/girls

6.     What would you do if there was a twister behind us right now?

7.     Would you let “Paul” in? (Paul is the alien from the movie “Paul.”)

8.     What would you do if there were zombies out here right now? (Imagining movie, “Resident Evil.”)

9.     What’s an instrument you’d like to play?

10.  Would you rather be dead or homeless?

11.  What are the 3 skills you’d like to acquire?

12.  Which movie would you like to be in?

13.  Which fruit farm would you like to own/manage?

3)     Texas에서 Washington 까지 운전하면서 본 자동차 판 (license plate) 주들 (States encountered):

1.     Florida

2.     California

3.     Texas

4.     Washington

5.     New Mexico

6.     Maine

7.     North Carolina

8.     Tennessee

9.     Missouri

10.  Arizona

11.  Oklahoma

12.  Indiana

13.  New Hampshire

14.  Alabama

15.  Utah

16.  Colorado

17.  Nevada

18.  Delaware

19.  New Jersey

20.  Illinois

21.  Oregon

22.  Minnesota

23.  Vermont

24.  Nebraska

25.  Arkansas

26.  Connecticut

27.  Massachusetts

28.  Iowa

29.  Michigan

30.  Kansas

31.  New York

32.  Maryland

33.  Georgia

34.  Idaho

35.  Ohio

36.  Virginia

37.  Wisconsin

38.  South Carolina

39.  Wyoming

40.  South Dakota

41.  Montana

42.  Louisiana

43.  North Dakota

44.  Alaska

45.  Hawaii

46.  Kentucky

47.  Pennsylvania

48.  Mississippi

원래는 Alaska, Hawaii 주 판을 못 볼 거라 예상했었으나, 의외로 아래 두개 주의 자동차를 보지 못했다:

49.  West Virginia

50.  Rhode island

Day 5 (Sun, Aug 21):

“It’s so unfair people have to work out constantly, forever, to maintain their figures… If the cannibals saw me they would like me. I have a little muscle with a lot of tender fat. Those people wouldn’t like your type, so muscular and sinewy.”

“They would use me for beef jerky. For the hardcore.”