[Hairy Trotter]

The VRAA is almost west coast chillin'. Getting some California love.<br><br>
Soon, there will be so much drama in the LBC. Makes it hard being Comizzle Hairy T. Still, somehow, some way, I keep adding up massive-ass points for the VRAA.<br><br>
We roll into Long Beach, Cali this week, where south L.A. meets Orange County. Hometown of Snoop Dogg and Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine. Launching point for the late, great Sublime. Former dwelling place of Hairy Trotter's grandparents. The site of Hairy Trotter's first -- and, for many years, only -- marathon.<br><br>
It's home of the Long Beach Grand Prix. And I understand there's a beach, and it is long.<br><br>
Who else knows anything about this industrial-quality jewel of the Pacific?

 

[Ileneforward]

I do, I do! I live in Long Beach! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Home of the busiest port in the USA! (second busiest is the port of Los Angeles, right next door!!)<br><br>
We have the Queen Mary! The Aquarium of the Pacific, and miles of running paths!<br><br>
California State University at Long Beach, and Long Beach Community college, and our very own little city in the middle of the city; the City of Signal Hill. Signal Hill goes straight up and straight down again with many roads and trails for excellent hill work. When oil was discovered there in the early 20s, they immediately incorporated as a separate city to get out from under the restrictions and agreement that the City of Long Beach had regarding oil profits with the State government up in Sacramento. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Welcome to my town, lets all meet down by the beach for a beach party, we'll have surf music, teeny bikinis, fish tacos and lots of margaritas!! First we'll travel down the 405 freeway<br><img alt="" src="http://i17.tinypic.com/4r8yhzn.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[Ileneforward]

<img alt="" src="http://i14.tinypic.com/5z77dxg.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><img alt="" src="http://i18.tinypic.com/63akgzo.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[Ileneforward]

<img alt="" src="http://i9.tinypic.com/4r73d3s.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">

 

[diablita]

Nice woody!

 

[Ileneforward]

You talkin' to Hairy? <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Notey]

<br>
I'm glad it's a recovery week so I can spend some more time in Long Beach. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Nettie]

I'm supposed to lift weights today, think anyone might have one of those barbell benches on their front lawn like in the videos?

 

[Ileneforward]

Oh yes, it is very common here ever since Coolio got one on his lawn! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[muzicgrl]

I can't wait. I want to stop at Ilene's place and Antag's place and I fully expect a Bud Light at Antags. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> Then you all can come on up my way and stop for a few beers on the way to Napa.

 

[roots]

Ha. Even I-405 traffic cannot slow down the VRAA.<br><br>
Thanks Ilene, for having us.<br><br>
Yes! We do need to go through the Bay Area to get to Napa. Would you mind hosting us when we arrive?<br><br>
Start: Fort Lauderdale, FL<br>
641 miles: Atlanta, GA (859 to next)<br>
1500 miles: Norman, OK (562 to next)<br>
2063 miles: Albuquerque, NM (802 to next)<br><b>2865 miles: Long Beach, CA (423 to next)</b><br>
3288 miles: Napa, CA (709 to next)<br>
3996 miles: Salt Lake City, UT (1064 to next)<br>
5060 miles: Topeka, KS (573 to next)<br>
5633 miles: Chicago, IL (761 to next)<br>
6394 miles: Philadelphia, PA (584 to next)<br>
6978 miles: Bar Harbor, ME (Finish line)

 

[muzicgrl]

Im waiting. <img alt="surprised.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/surprised.gif">ccasion5:

 

[antagonist]

Long Beach is also the city where Metallica got started!!<br><br>
Hetfield put out an add looking for a drummer in the free newspaper, the "Recycler." Lars Ulrich responded and the rest is history!!!<br><br>
I also worked for the City of Long Beach for the Neighborhood Services Department assisting in the distribution of federal block grants to it's citizens for home improvement purposes.<br><br>
Long Beach is also the 5th largest city in CA.

 

[sistergoldenhair]

Aaah! "California Love" is stuck in my head from reading this thread, so I'll infect the rest of you:<br><br><i>Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west<br>
A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness<br>
The track hits ya eardrum like a slug to ya chest<br>
Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex<br>
We in that sunshine state with a bomb ass hemp beat<br>
the state where ya never find a dance floor empty<br>
And pimps be on a mission for them greens<br>
lean mean money-makin-machines servin fiends<br>
I been in the game for ten years makin rap tunes<br>
ever since honeys was wearin sassoon<br>
Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me<br>
Diamonds shinin lookin like I robbed Liberace<br>
It's all good, from Diego to tha Bay<br>
Your city is tha bomb if your city makin pay<br>
Throw up a finger if ya feel the same way<br>
Dre puttin it down for<br>
Californ-i-a</i><br><br>
Napa! I'm on a mission! My plan is to stop for a quick shower at antag's <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"> , wave to muzicgrl, pick up speed into wine country and then chill out with some amazing vino waiting for the rest of you to join me! I have some work to do!

 

[Ileneforward]

Also the hometown of Nicholas Cage (my brother knew him in high school!), and Cameron Diaz.<br><br>
Antagonist, will you start the Beach Blanket Bingo on the sand for our guests? <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[roots]

Oh boy, this could cause another traffic jam!