Hi All,

This morning after taking stock of the Southern, California earthquake I was thinking, I bet people outside of California are saying, "what's the matter with them, why don't they move?" So I took a moment to enjoy what plate tectonics created for us and headed south to the Rodgers Creek Fault segment near the bottom of the fault line and had a look. The southern tip is the only part of the fault line that has not broken of late. But for viewing, nothing special for sure, so I kept going south.

At nearly 87 degrees here today, driving down the highway in my Miata with the top down was probably the last time I'll be doing that because no doubt winter will approach soon. However, as I was driving and enjoying the music I cast my eyes upon the vast array of hillsides we have here. They aren't all soft and round, but often large peaks jut out from the top. One day, I'll have to find out why that is. Today I just enjoyed looking at them.

Taking a turn through the town where I spent my youth, San Rafael, California I took a stroll down memory lane and drove the three mile route where I used to walk to high school. My first port of call was by the Catholic Seminary where I could still hear the young men hanging out the windows and giving off wolf whistles and remembering the Priest yelling at them to get back! Then through one of the most beautiful places where the Dominican College and Convent grace a tree lined street, so quaint, quiet and peaceful. Then onto Mission San Rafael. The Archangel Raphael was hanging as though he was going to fly at any given moment from one of the most spectacular churches anywhere. A young couple emerged from the Church having just taken their nuptials and they were so happy.

My last stop was on Fourth Street where I recalled "cruising the main" as a young teenager and thinking of the hot summery nights and the excitement of youthfulness. I had a Caffe Mocha at Starbucks and just took some time to observe the population. Marin is like nowhere else. Very bohemian, where today tie dyed is still in fashion right next to a plethora of BMW's and also in evidence, the homeless.

Though it's not perfect, I'll take California any day, faults or not, but for today, I caught the magic that makes the San Francisco Bay Area one of the best places on earth to live.

From Near The Rodgers Creek Fault Line..Pat in Petaluma