Heading off in a few weeks for a vacation in the Midwest.  Should be quiet, relaxing, low stress.  Not that I am looking to indulge during that time, but just out of curiosity I started doing a little research.  The result?  Nada!  Looks like there isn't a provider worth seeing for at least 500 miles.  All this got me thinking about where we live, and the great resources within driving distance.  I'm not just talking here about the wonderful ladies of SoCal.  What about all the fun things to do as well?  Took a stroll through downtown today, and thoroughly enjoyed the people watching in the streets around Comic Con.  I didn't have a ticket, but the atmosphere was fantastic, and the vibe in the crowd was really unique.  Then there's other stuff we've spoken of here recently - the Del Mar Fair, the Races, and bunch of things within a few hours' drive, like floating down a river on an inner tube.  Having lived in many places on the globe, I have to say you guys live in one of its better corners.