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@CA_Hawthorne Curiosity: do you have a favourite US state (other than the one you live in, I guess)?

@Ink_Soul Not at this point. I love W. Montana for the outdoors, but dislike the state politically. Given my health issues, this is the perfect place for me.

I wouldn’t go any further south, except for Colorado & New Mexico. The coasts are gorgeous, but insanely expensive.

If we’re talking only the outdoors, every state has at least one crown jewel, but I still prefer the west. The northern west coast is almost magical.

Problem is, if a place is beautiful, the wealthy are buying it.

@CA_Hawthorne Interesting! And yeah, the politics are definitely a factor that will make most, if not all states, uglier, at least in this current climate.

@Ink_Soul Yeah. I was in Florida in the late seventies when it was a halfway cool place to live (gigantic spiders, aside). I wouldn’t step foot in that state now.

One place I’ve thought about is Minnesota, but there aren’t any mountains and the humid climate could be a problem for my lungs and allergies. Its Nordic origins appeal to me. Is there somewhere you’re thinking about going?

@CA_Hawthorne Gigantic spiders would already be a no-no for me

Nordic influences sound fun! And me? Going to the US? No, thank you I was curious because I have some friends from the US, and they post some cool things, from natural landscapes to some nice shops (especially ones for horror stuff, I have a friend who loves that stuff, too). But I never really had the urge to visit the US, let alone now when my chances of getting kidnapped or killed or both are uncomfortably high

@Ink_Soul I don’t blame you for not visiting. I daydream about how to get out. My attitudes have never closely identified with the culture here.

There are, though, a seemingly infinite number of astonishing land features. Horror shops would definitely depend on where you are.

@ianscraper First of all, I’d give anything to live there. Canadians are sane.

My experience with Canada is minimal.

Aside from crossing the border at Niagara Falls when I was a kid, I’ve only visited W. Canada, & not in decades. My father wanted to drive the Alaska Highway when I was a teen, and so we did.

The Canadian Rockies are amazing, but I had almost no contact with Canadians. We camped in the van. Mostly I remember the teenage boy from Michigan riding his bike.

@gahlearner Sure, you can list me.

Like I say, I’ve had a zillion experiences that are too many to list, but I’m not an expert, though I am an experienced writer, I guess.

I was hit by 2 cars, stood atop the Grand Teton, visited Gettysburg, dealt with alcoholics, flew to Thailand, walked along both oceans & the gulf, know what it is to take a breath & there’s no air, attended college as an adult, & more.

Nothing is quite like developing a world, mapping it, & having it come alive in story.

@CA_Hawthorne

You are also an expert in facing adversity.

@gahlearner Good gosh, yes, you’re right. Thank you. Despite all that I’ve faced, I guess I still never think of it as a skill.