California, at it again...

It seems California has forgotten that it has the second highest unemployment rate in the nation at 12.3%.  Being beat out only by my former state of Michigan which is at 13%.  Not only is the state of excess in excessive debt, but they now seek to rape their state residents of their hard earned (or unemployment earned) cash.  I know I can be dutch sometimes (actually, I'm always Dutch, but sometimes I'm "dutch" too; fortunately, Matt is of the same school of thought). 

Matt and I thought we'd go explore nature and ride mountain bikes down near the beach yesterday.  I think it cost us more to go places around Orange County, than it did to drive down there in fuel.  Did you know Toll Roads in Illinois cost anywhere between 30 cents and $2 at each toll booth (and $2 is unusual)?  Well, you're lucky if you pay $2 in California.  I thought the point of toll roads was to get people to use them and to help pay for the upkeep?!  Well, these roads are practically empty.  Why you ask?  Because most can't afford to take them.  The road to Laguna was backed up for miles, so we sought an alternative route.  Word to the wise: AVOID the 73.  Sure there was no one else on it, but it cost us $4.50 to go 1 mile.  Yes, 1 MILE!  And this was only one of the toll fees we paid.

Then we thought we'd hit a State Park.  Well, it now costs $15 to get into a State Park, whether this is for 2 hours or the whole day.  If you want an annual pass, it's $125.  Oh, and there are some state parks and state beaches that won't accept your $125 annual pass.  NO state is this much.  Tennessee and Missouri are free.  In Washington state, you can get in for a day for $5-7, or $70 annual.  Moab State Park in Utah, is a mere $7.  Have you ever been to Moab?  It's pretty sweet.  In Michigan, you can get an annual pass for 10 bucks if you're a resident (and $24 if you're out of state).  Montana State Parks cost $4 to get into daily.  And, to top it off, a National Parks Annual Pass is $80.  Well California, you can keep your annual pass.  All of these other places are so much cooler.  And as far as riding mountain bike in the State Park?  We went up the hill and parked at the city park for free, and rode our bikes straight into Crystal Cove State Park without paying a cent....