I lived in California from 1986 - 2005 and during that time, I asked several people why they like the state and what kept them there.  The only answer I received from so many people was "the weather."  No one mentioned the schools, job opportunities, the character of its people or even the ability to earn more money there.

After a few years of this, I began to wonder why I was there.  Thus, my question to others.  I began to think about the uniform answer from so many different people.  Surely a deeper reason than weather kept them there.  If one such reason existed, it was never conveyed.

Admittedly, I had arrived in the golden state just as it began descending into what it is now.  The Hotel California I saw had begun crumbling.  Don't get me wrong.  It has beauty and comfortable temperatures allow endless outdoor activity.  I lived in Orange County and I remember telling a co-worker that the County was going to price itself right out of the market.  "It will never happen," she said.

Well, it did happen.  I knew its foundation was crumbling.  I left mainly to move back to the house I grew up in to care for my elderly mother.  I also left because I had grown to hate California.  It is not the real world.  In Virginia, I tell people, "Everything you read in the newspaper about California is true."

The outrageous taxes were a major reason for my plane ticket out.  People make a lot of money there, spend a lot of money, and pay a lot of money in both state and local sales taxes.  The influx of illegal aliens was another major reason I wanted to move. 

I have not regretted moving back to my home turf for one day.  I enjoy the four seasons which are felt full blast here.  As I write this, we await a large storm system that will leave us with 6 - 8 inches of snow hopefully.  I want to be reminded of Blacksburg, VA weather in the winter and this storm should do the trick. 

However, weather is not what keeps me here.  It's the familiar places and the people.  We're just ordinary folks.  The town in which I live will never price itself out of reach.  It can't.  The vehicle of choice is a pick up truck, not a BMW or Mercedes.  I see those cars occasionally.  But I don't think of them as status symbols as I did in Orange County, CA.

I am not critical of all Californians.  They seem to have a different focus than Virginians.  And it's always good to have a choice.  Just as I think it's good to experience all four seasons.  I need the cold air, the layered clothing, the ability to see my breath in the air outdoors, and the silence of snow falling in my back yard.  It makes me feel alive.