Where in the world...

[SoCaliSon]

I must say... This forum is amazing. More and more I realize how the members of this site, new and old, are from every corner of the globe. The interenet is wonderfull. Here we have a community of people, without borders, who all share a common interest in this hobby. When I first got into this hobby I relied only on publications, and local hobbiest to compare notes with and discuss husbandry practices. This site is an invaluable resource, and I believe the central location for the sharing of Chameleon Knowledge worldwide. I have had discussions with keepers anywhere from the Great White North, to the States, into Europe, and some even down in the bahamas.

So I thought it would be a fun idea for a thread for people to share a little bit about where they are from. Whether it be Podunk, Arkansas or the Aussie outback... Share a little bit about yourself and where you call home. Where are your fav local spots to vacation? If we were in your neck of the woods, what would you recommend to do? And of course it is always awesome if you could Post Pics!!!

Thanks
~Joe

 

[hallenhe]

From St. Paul, Minnesota, currently (since 1997) in East Lansing, Michigan - neither locale is noted for its abundant native lizard fauna. Michigan is home to a whopping two lizard species, the five-lined skink (which I have seen once in the wild) and the six-lined race runner (a disjunct population, in the northeastern Lower Peninsula). Lansing (capitol of Michigan) is notable for Preuss Pets, a locally-owned business that does do pretty good with reptiles, as well as carrying crickets from 3-day pinheads to extra large, superworms, waxworms, mealworms, hornworms and Madagascar hissing cockroaches; they plan to start carrying Dubias and silkies in 2009. Other "don't miss" sights of greater Lansing include the Traveler's Club International Restaurant and Tuba Museum, which certainly features a whole lot more tubas than your average dining establishment.

 

[kenya]

Well, I am in Portland, Oregon. I live in a liberal, laid back city where it is common to see lots of bikes, lots of buses, and lots of trees. There are tons of art galleries downtown, an interesting chinatown, and shanghai tunnels under the city that were used to steal drunk men in bars away onto ships to labor.

Pictures speak louder than words at times. There is a river that runs through the city and divides it into five main areas: SW NW SE NE and just N.

I did not take this one:

I did not take this one:

The river from a bus with my cellphone:

and again:

If you were to visit, you would want to go to Wunderland, a really fun nickel arcade and cheap movie theater. There is the Saturday Market downtown which is a huge mess of hippies and handmade everything. The art galleries are fun to go through on the free days that they have. There are trees and ivy and wild blackberry EVERYWHERE and wildflowers grow in the spring in open areas. You can see the huge Mt Hood looming over the city on clear days and Mt Saint Helens missing it's top.

What I find in the forest (some were over 8" long!):

Within about an hour of driving there is the gorgeous Oregon coast. There is lots of forest, beaches, an awesome aquarium, and whales. It is chilly and somewhat stark, not at all like California beaches, but it is rugged and beautiful.

I did not take this one:

Or this one:

Our trip to Cannon beach:

Haystack Rock:

Closer:

That is me in front of it:

And I think that is enough from me

 

[SoCaliSon]

Awesome Nikki! Just what I was looking for!

Okay... Here is my entry for Ventura County, Southern California.

I was actually born in Wamego, Kansas, but moved from their as a baby, and have grown up in Southern California. I live in Simi Valley, which is a suberb about 30 mins from LA, and 30 mins from the Beaches in Malibu and Ventura. I really do love southern California. I often brag that there are not to many places in the world where you can go surfing, and snowboarding in the same day... But I have done it... Several times actually. (Best surf comes around in the winter). Whatever you are looking for we are in driving distance, Beaches, Deserts, Mountains, Cities... You name it, I can drive there. We are about 5 hour drive from Vegas, and live about four hours south of the Beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain Range, where my father took me countless times growing up, for backpacking, rock climbing, fishing, and snowboarding.

The attractions of LA can almost go unsaid with the theme parks and local landmarks.

For my Senior year graduation in 2002 I became scuba certified and started visiting the Channel Islands. Divers come from all over the world to see the beuatiful underwater Kelp forests, reefs, and wildlife that inhabit the cold waters off the coast of California. The Sea Lions will lions will literally jump in the water when the see divers coming off the boat, and approach you under the water to say hello... It is an amazing experience.

If you were in the area I would recommend a drive down Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway, from Venice Beach, where you can always meet some interesting charcters, up through Malibu and take a stop and eat at Neptunes Net, A Famous Biker/Surfer Hang out that is right on the PCH, directly accross the highway from the famous surf spot Ventura County Line. Neptune's is basically a 711 with a patio, and fresh seafood market attached, where you can get a beer, and a lobster so fresh that it was in the ocean early that morning, while you soak in the sights and smells of the beach. On sundays you will find Hundreds of Bikers out in front of Neptunes drinking and showing off their wheels, It is pretty interesting seeing the surfer crowd and the biker crowd share the same spot, but it is pretty cool.

These are the spots I am most farmiliar with... I will let the rest of the SoCal members share their fav destinations.

Here are some pics...

Channel Islands... These pics were taken on a Dive trip out to the outter islands... One day I will have a housing for my camera so I will be able to shoot my own underwater shots. The Arch is Anacapa.

Dad and I after a Diving in the cove behind us...

Well I don't have to many pics on this CP so the rest are ones that I did not take. These are from Google Images and Photobucket.

This is what you see Diving in southern California.. The beautiful vibrant orange Cali state Fish, Garibaldi, are everywhere... I usually see them by themselves guarding a section of reef rocks that they call their own. As well as the all too curious sea lions playing in the reefs and Kelp forests...

Here is a good day at County Line

The Yosemite Valley Floor... An absolute MUST for anyone visiting california... Spend a week or just a weekend camping, and enjoy the incredible scenery. You can shop if you want in the vilage... or walk five minutes and be completely alone in the beautiful silent wilderness. It really is a great place.

And that is probably enough from me...

~Joe

 

[chamelisa]

What I find in the forest (some were over 8" long!):

OH MY GOD!!!! I think I need to go throw up!!!!

You are awesome.

I was running my fingers through a tub of superworms a few years back at a reptile show when I realized several people were watching me with horrified looks on their faces.

But I have to say, I have slug-phobia!

 

[ciafardo 4]

wow!!!!!!! Nikki those slugs are incredible

 

[kenya]

I love banana slugs. They do leave a lot of thick slime, though :\ It is a really odd feeling when you feel them tasting you. It is like little bits of sandpaper because their radulas are little plates with scraping "teeth" on them.

Joe, You were born in Wamego? I was born in Beloit, Kansas, and my mom still lives in Junction City. I moved to Nevada when I was 13 or 14 to live with my dad and I moved to Portland on my own when I was 17 and had just graduated high school. My Dad and step mom live about an hour outside of Reno and I would snowboard at Squaw Valley on Lake Tahoe in the winter.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I love banana slugs.

Me too. I kept one as a pet for a couple years (then let her go back in the forest). It is the second largest species in the world and can grow to more than 20 cm. If there is a creature that truly symbolizes the great Northwest rainforests, I suggest it is the Banana Slug.

Did you know you can eat them?

 

[sandrachameleon]

Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

This should make for an interesting thread, Joe. Thanks for starting it.

I live just outside Victoria City, on the southern end of Vancouver Island, which is off the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. Victoria is the capital of BC. Victoria is a small city with a moderate climate and scenic setting. Come here and find and abundance of nature (parks, rivers, lakes, ocean, forest wilderness), fantastic culture (excellent restaurants, art galleries, a fantastic museum, theatre, concert halls, cathedrals, nightclubs etc), top rated Colleges and Universities and pretty much everything you could ask for yet with a fairly laid back feeling overall.

There are a few pages of pictures in this album: https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/sandrachameleon-albums-victoria-bc.html

 

[SoCaliSon]

Joe, You were born in Wamego? I was born in Beloit, Kansas, and my mom still lives in Junction City. I moved to Nevada when I was 13 or 14 to live with my dad and I moved to Portland on my own when I was 17 and just graduated high school. My Dad and step mom live about an hour outside of Reno and I would snowboard at Squaw Valley on Lake Tahoe in the winter.

Yup I was born in a tiny little 1 story hospital in Wamego. My parents met going to school at K-State. We moved from there before my first birthday after they graduated and have never been back. I wish I could say I was farmiliar with the areas you speak of. I may not have been born here... But I am a Cali kid all the way. I really don't remember anything about Kansas. Well Nikki ... I have to say it... We are not in Kansas anymore...

 

[kenya]

Me too. I kept one as a pet for a couple years (then let her go back in the forest). It is the second largest species in the world and can grow to more than 20 cm. If there is a creature that truly symbolizes the great Northwest rainforests, I suggest it is the Banana Slug.

Did you know you can eat them?

Did you know that they will make your mouth go numb? Native Americans would put a slug in their mouth for a bit to cure a toothache. Raccoons eat them by rolling them around in the dirt so that their thick defensive slime sticks dirt to them and turns them into a great dirty corndog.

And Joe, I hate that "not in Kansas anymore" joke I have been getting it for years

 

[SoCaliSon]

This should make for an interesting thread, Joe. Thanks for starting it.
[/B]

No Problem! I agree!!! Hopefully people will continue to participate... You can hear about places from comercials and travel agents... But talking to the people who live there is the best way to find out what these places are really like.

Sandra... I have always wanted to go to BC... I got the itch from an article in snowboarding Magazine maybe 10 years ago that just had some of the most beuatifull destinations for snowboarding ever, all around BC. The closest I have ever made it is my Familys cabin in the UP Michigan... One Day... One Day.

 

[SoCaliSon]

And Joe, I hate that "not in Kansas anymore joke"

figured...

 

[kenya]

figured...

Ha, you caught my typo. :\

More posts, people!

 

[kenya]

OH MY GOD!!!! I think I need to go throw up!!!!

You are awesome.

I was running my fingers through a tub of superworms a few years back at a reptile show when I realized several people were watching me with horrified looks on their faces.

But I have to say, I have slug-phobia!

Good! I will be sending you a pound of banana (slugs) in the mail shortly!

What is your address again?

 

[BocaJan]

~~~Joe, You were born in Wamego? I was born in Beloit, Kansas, and my mom still lives in Junction City.~~~

I moved from Manhattan KS to Boca Raton FL! I have lived in Boca now for 8.5 years. There are many beachy things to do here if you like beaches and sunshine. I, for one, am not a hot person. I grew up in the Chicago area, moved to Beautiful Golden, Co, spent about 10 years living in the mountains, back to Golden. I have to say it is a great place to live. I moved to KS and spent about 9 months there before moving to Florida. I guess I could post pics, but you all have seen beaches and Orlando, Bahamas, etc. I prefer the mountains and open spaces.

 

[kenya]

I see your waterfall and raise you one! This is one of my favorite spots around here. It is right outside of the city and is (I think) the tallest waterfall west of the Mississippi River. This is Multnomah Falls and the view from the very top is freaking incredible. If any of you come my way and want to go for a good hike, here is where you have to go. It is amazing and very beautiful.

 

[Sang]

alright im in arizona.

WHOLE lot of this

and then there is this! you should all know it!

and then were i live! *well pretty close, i can see that street if i walk out my door and down about 1/5 of a mile.

A mountain that Dirty UofA bastards paint blue and white/red..

The Tempe town lake+ park grounds

and then a whole lot of awsome sunsets like these.

None of these photos were taken by me.

 

[jannb]

I live in Ft. Pierce, Fl.....about an hour north of West Plam Beach. It's a beautiful little town and the weather's nice year round. I attached a link for some pics of Ft. Pierce if anyone's interested in looking.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/142815568wyqZoR

 

[THECHAMMAN]

im from the ever tropical NEW ORLEANS. here are some pics my parents took:

places you should go if you visit my hood.

the praline connection

old ursuline nun house, now a musuem, go a couple blocks to the left, and a block down and ur at my house.

croissant d' or. best croissant place in the state if not near top 10 in nation. no joke.

blacksmith shop=famous bar, one of the oldest bldgs in the city.

for all of your awesome italian food needs. all stuff smells like salami and olives. mmmmmm.

best breakfast joint, open 24/7

best po'boys in the city.

and Pat Obrien's. home of the hurricane. famous bar

last but not least, my moms gay husband (not really) at the gay parade outside our house during southern decadence festival. far left.