I lived blocks from the Pacific Ocean for over 25 years.
Every winter my friends and I would laugh at the Typical Tourist.
- Running along the shore barefoot
- Wearing a t-shirt and shorts
- Or worse – a bathing suit as they dove into the frigid water
And there we were – dressed like Nanook of the North.
It wasn’t until I moved to Idaho at the end of 2009 that I discovered the identity of the Typical Tourist.
They’re all from Idaho.
Acclimating? I Don’t Think So
On my recent return to San Diego for my 8th 3-Day Walk for the Cure, my teammates chided me for walking without my jacket in the freezing 50 degree weather.
Oh, my Lord – have I become an Idahoan?
Not yet.
The reality is it was too much of a pain to get my jacket back on after the sun slipped behind the clouds.
- I had to remove my hat with the long scarf of names I wore on the walk
- Slip the water bottle holder over my head
- Ask one of my teammates to hold my water bottle and hat
- Untie my jacket from around my waist
- Slip my windbreaker jacket over my head
- Put the water bottle holder back on
- Put my hat with the scarf back on
Only to have the sun come out again, making me too warm.
Ah, the sacrifices we make for the Walk for the Cure.
See – not an Idahoan – just lazy.
How, you may ask, do I know the Typical Tourist is from Idaho?
The Proof is in the Frozen Pudding
When I got back from San Diego, the weather took a trip south – and I don’t mean to San Diego.
Each morning the thermometer outside our kitchen window was dropping.
- The 20s
- The teens
- Gasp – 10 degrees
Sure, it might creep back up to the low 30s in the afternoon, but I knew I definitely wasn’t in San Diego anymore.
Nothing gets by me – keen observer that I am.
But, here’s the kicker. I would go out Christmas shopping in the “warm” weather.
And there they were – the Typical Tourist!
- Some actually barefoot
- Others in t-shirts and shorts
- Okay, no bathing suits – but you get the idea
So, there you have it. Scientific evidence.
The Typical Tourists are all from Idaho.
Who knew?
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Live…Laugh…Love
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Hmmm… I spent one winter in Colorado when the weather got that cold. Geeze. I’m such a weather wuss… it’s been dipping into low 50s, mid-to high 40s here in San Diego and I have the heat and a hat on. Barefoot though. 😉
Hi Anne: When I lived in San Diego all those years, I was right there complaining with you when it got in the 50s. That’s when we dressed like Nanook.
We do acclimate, but I just haven’t reached the 10 degree acclimation. 🙂
It is funny how people view temperature. There is absolute temperature, of course, but there is relative temperature. We keep our house pretty much the same temperature all your around, but in summer I wear shorts around the house, whereas in winter I wear sweaters.
Isn’t it though, David? I was born in the Midwest, but actually spent more of my life on southern California beaches. Like Anne, I became a temperature wuss.
And why is it 50 in CA is so different from 50 in ID? 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, David.
Excuse me! I never wear a coat- and would NEVER be confused for an Idahoan. First of all, I detest potatoes (which moniker you stole from Long Island, I might add). Secondly, I don’t carry a gun. Finally, I would never have a Senator named Crapo (although, I must admit most of them add la to their capabilities).
Oh, and you still live blocks from the Pacific. it’s just that Idaho has really long ones….
Hey Roy-Sorry, I had to retrieve you from the spam folder. 😀
At least you know where Idaho is. Most think it’s Iowa – including the Wall Street Journal – see post for details 😉
And if California has the big one, Idaho just may get that oceanfront property.
Hey Cathy! That’s the most creative way of using bullet points I have seen. I am really a fan of your writing.
Why, thank you, Gustavo. I appreciate that. 🙂 You come back any time -especially with such nice comments. 😀
My husband grew up in Minnesota and Ohio so he acts like it is shorts weather all year long. We do live in the South but sometimes this leads to major temperature battles in our house.
Hi Ginny: I spent 2 years in MN and 14 in OH-small world. Those from MN are definitely a different breed – that’s the true definition of cold!
I can imagine those heating battles. 🙂 When I worked in the Corporate world, I never found a building that was just right when it cam to temperature. Of course, try pleasing a couple hundred people. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story, Ginny.