Where you live

[ellarae]

Okay heres my effort

Gisborne, the first city in the world to see the sun each day, is located on the sunny East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It has a population of around 45,000 and is rather isolated – we’re nearly 3 hours from anywhere in any direction. Gisborne has the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand.

The Maori name for the district is Tairawhiti, which means "The coast upon which the sun shines across the water." Captain Cook first set foot here in 1769 and then European settlement was established in 1831.

The region is home to some of the best beach, point and reefs breaks in New Zealand and the best thing is all the white sand beaches are almost always empty. It is one of New Zealand's largest grape growing regions with just over half its 2000 hectares of vineyards planted with internationally award winning Chardonnay. There is also an abundance of citrus, soft fruits and olives grown here – yum! Gisborne is home to Rhythm and Vines, a music festival held at new year that has got Gisborne onto ‘top 10 places to see in the new year’ lists.

The film ‘whale rider’ was made on the coast here, and i’m pretty sure Lord of the Rings has some East Coast scenery in it. Famous Gizzy people? No idea!

It’s a place with a rustic charm that i am really growing to love. Definitely not a rich town but somewhere that is on the up – starting to attract more tourists coming to slurp on the wine and sit on the beaches.

NZ in general - Like the UK the wildlife wont eat you...in fact Nz only has native birds, no mammals. There are ALOT of sheep....and plenty of earthquakes....and not alot of people (4 million ish in total i think)

Would I live anywhere else...nope...its pretty perfect right now. Nearest DPers - Chuck Norris humans I think are the only others.

[kian]

I would love to visit NZ. Hoosiers! I had no idea where that came from. I just love this thread, very educational.
I will do Utah, since I know more about that. I have lived in three states: California (native) Utah and most recently New Mexico. I will do N.M. as I learn more.

Utah became our home in 1994 when OH took a job there. We settled in Northern Utah just below the Idaho border.
The name Utah comes from the Ute tribe which means people of the mountains. It is the known as the lower rocky mountain state, the intermountain west or it's official title "the beehive" state.

I fell in love with Utah when I attended college here and was thrilled to return. (can I move back now?)

Utah is a destination state for tourists with the best skiing in the nation. It offers Canyon Lands, Zion National Park (which my parents live near), Bryce Canyon, the Paiute Trail system and endless hiking and camping. Hunting is a big event here. We have wildlife that will eat you! Cougars, bears, wolves, deer, moose, eagles, coyote and abundance of fowl and other wildlife. Camping is a wonderful experience with tons of back country and hardly a neighbour at times. I just love it. ATV trails are endless and lots of different terrain.

The state animal is the Elk, the honeybee is the state insect and the state bird might surprise everyone! You might think the eagle or some bird of prey.....nope.....it' s the Seagull! I'll explain why.

Utah was settled by Mormon Pioneers coming here to get away from religious persecution. After they settled here and planted crops they were attacked by huge crickets aka Mormon crickets (I have seen them and they are huge). The settlers prayed for a miracle and Seagulls appeared taking care of the crickets! True story. It is surprising to many to see the gulls so far inland.

Famous people include: Robert Redford (who I have met) he resides in Sundance and started the Sundance Film Festival which is held in Park City, the Osmonds-met some of them, Merlin Olson, Loretta Young, Wilford Brimley, Butch Cassidy, Julianne Hough of dancing with the stars, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (a few I know) and the Jazz basketball Team!. Utah is a popular state for the film industry, it is a favorite of celebs to visit. Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter games which was a lot of fun. It is a clean city and has a amazing transportation system. Temple Square is a beautiful place to visit and take pictures.

Nearest DP'r are: MM in Az, Kwak in Cali, Phyrie to the north.

Of all the places I could choose to live my favorite of course, West Yellowstone, which isn't far from Utah.

I'm homesick now!

[princelover]

Kian, One fact I would like to add on Utah is that it is has the only body of water that is completely inland and salty as the oceon. The Great Salt Lake.

[princelover]

Tracy, what a wonderful idea for a thread which gives us a an opportunity to learn more about the places which others call home.

I live in majestic North Carolina. It is bordered on the west by the Appalachian mountain chain and on the east by the Atlantic oceon. The state was names for England's King Charles. The people are "Tarheels," the state bird is the Cardinal, the state flower is the Dogwood and we have had two presidents (James Polk and Andrew Johnson) who have hailed from NC. Other famous people are actress Ava Gardner, Billy Graham, evangelist, David Brinkley, news anchor man, and Andy Griffith, of TV fame, just to name a few.

North Carolina has been a major player in past times in the manufacture of textiles and fine furniture as well as farming and tobacco growing. More recently, it has been stepping forth in fiber optics and communication fields. It boasts a population of over 8 million people and growing.

Our highest peak is Mt Mitchell at an elevation of 6,684 feet (16th highest) and the lowest point of sea level (3rd place)

We have our own castle; Biltmore Estates, built in 1895, which has a floor space of 4 acres and set on a 125,000 acre estate. It produces some of the finest dairy and wines to be found anywhere. The latter being from its own vinyards. It is a major tourist attraction set in the majestic city of Ashville.

To the north we have one of the finest medical teaching hospitals in the country; Duke University Hospital, which is deeply involved in cancer research. We have students come from all over the world for an opportunity to study medicine at this fine institute of learning.
I guess my closest neighbor would have to be Angie-Lah.

Our weather is temperate all year round. We have some snow in winter but 4-6 inches is a big snowstorm to us. We have some tornados and an occaisional hurricane blow through. We have a number of smaller animals at lower elevations and some of the larger ones in the mountains.

I live in the Piedmont or middle of the state, at the base of the mountains so it is a short drive to the mountains or the seashore. I cant think of any place in the world that I would rather call home. The people of North Carolina are some of the friendliest people who can be found anywhere.

[Sadie G]

Sher, I've been to the Biltmore. Wow!!, it is phenomenal. We were just talking about going back again, I would love for my OH to see it. When I was in North Carolina I thought it was a very beautiful state! My niece that we went to visit in Florida recently is moving there next Spring. Her husband is originally from NC.

I'm loving this thread

[kian]

The Great Salt Lake is so salty, one can float in it. You wouldn't want to try now, it stinks! At one time it was thought to have healing properties, that was years and years ago when it wasn't so stinky.

I love NC, I have a friend and college roommate from Etowah. We drove there and that was my first experience with high humidity. A thunderstorm moved in and I was so glad as it would cool things down. I learned quickly, that doesn't happen!
Most recently my step daughter and her family lived in Fayetteville. We went back there for a week and loved it. I didn't want to leave, it is so rich in history, green and beautiful.

[lynners]

This is fantastic!

My "heart's home" will always be Vancouver Island, BC. I was born and lived for 18 years in Nanaimo, a city of about 80,000 now. Dubbed "The Harbour City", Nanaimo has beautiful waterfront, accessible from all over the city. It is the second largest city on Vancouver Island (Victoria being the first). It boasts some of the best underwater diving in the world! Marine life is incredibly diverse and plentiful. There are many islands a short boat ride away from Nanaimo, several of which people reside on. School aged students take a boat to the main island every weekday, and then are bussed in to their school. The backdrop to Nanaimo is Mt. Benson. We have our own university which makes its home in the lower portion of Mt. Benson. Previously Malaspina University-College, it has been renamed Vancouver Island University.

Climate is incredibly mild. Snow is rare, as are freezing temperatures. Rain is more than plentiful in every season. Highs in the summer months typically peak around 27 degrees celcius. Fall and winter seem to meld together. Deciduous trees are few and far between, and frosts are rare so we don't see the brilliant colours you see in other places in the fall.

The main idustries are forestry (logging, pulp and paper, etc), fisheries, and tourism.

Vancouver Island is home of the Vancouver Island Marmot, the most endangered species in Canada. There are very few left living in the wild. Vancouver Island lacks skunks, moose, foxes, and chipmunks which are common on mainland British Columbia. The white tailed deer are significantly smaller than those found on the mainland.



I now call Minesing, ON home. Minesing is located in Springwater Township (Simcoe County) and claims to have the cleanest underground spring water in the world. I'm guesstimating the population to be around 1200. Most of the population is condensed to the village, but many people live rurally and because of that, the actual area of Minesing is fairly large. The main industry is farming! Cash crops, beef, and dairy make up the majority. I would guess more beef than dairy. There are also several sugar bushes that produce great maple syrup. It's a town where everyone is related to everyone else, whether you're a McNabb, a Priest, a Kleingibbinick, a Downey, and so on and so one. Everyone has someone in their family that could tell you how you're related to someone else!We most definitely have 4 distinct seasons! Minesing is also home to the Minesing swamp. The swamp is designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland, and also an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. The swamp is made up of 6,000 acres of wetlands and has many many many plant and animal species that call it home. 221 bird species (135 which breed there), and most interesting to me, coyotes. Wild turkeys are also a common sight. There is some folklore attached to the swamp: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMXZ_Minesing_Man

Minesing in the home of country music star Jason McCoy (solo and of the band The Roadhammers). Mike has lived here all his life, and grew up on a cash crop farm.



The closest DPers (off the top of my head) are Deb, Michelle, and Jayme!

[Deerie me]

Lynners I hadn't realised you were so far from your birthplace now.

Everyone is putting in huge effort on this thread. I'm really enjoying reading them all.

[el perro]

I'm finding this thread to be very interesting. I'm shamed to realise that the only thing I know about my area is the name. I'll have to do some digging of my own soon.

[kriswak]

Wow. I'm learning so much.
It looks like I have some homework to do before I can post something.

[Deerie me]

Kris just tell us what home is like for you.

[kriswak]

Buena Park. CA , is now my home.
Known as the "Center of the Southland,"
Located in the Great OC (Orange County)

I grew up just a mile away in La Palma

Buena Park is known internationally largely because of Knott's Berry Farm, which began in 1920 by Walter Knott and his family. America’s first Amusement Park. And some of the best jelly, and famous fried chicken.

Located on and around Beach Boulevard south of the 91 Freeway the E-Zone is home to Knott's Berry Farm, Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, Knott's Soak City U.S.A. and the swashbuckling Pirates Dinner Adventure.
With a population of over 83,385 residents


I live just off the map to the left where I put a white arrow.

Buena Park is centrally located and within a 10-minute drive to Honda Center to catch a Ducks (hockey) game or to Anaheim Stadium to watch the Angels play baseball. Disneyland is also only about 10-15 Minutes away, if you want to visit Mickey Mouse.

Crystal Cathedral, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza are within a 15-20 minute drive from Buena Park.

Get the overall "OC" experience at one of our world-renowned beaches. Newport, Huntington, Laguna, and Crystal Cove beaches are less than 30 minutes from Buena Park. If the beach isn't your scene, Big Bear Mountain Resort is a mere 90-minute drive, where you can go snow skiing in the winter. (I know I did, my family had a cabin there up until about 5 years ago). Los Angeles, Hollywood, and San Diego are easily accessible within the region.


Each year the southern California area has about 10,000 earthquakes. Nearly all of them are so small that they are not felt. Only several hundred are greater than magnitude 3.0, and only about 15-20 are greater than magnitude 4.0

Famous people that were born near Buena Park, Richard Nixon ( Yorba Linda), Gwen Stefani ( Fullerton), Tiger woods ( Cypress) , John Stamos ( Cypress) went to high school with my sister.


Buena Park, CA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and 80’sand cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.
The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 85.60 degrees Fahrenheit (But we usually get a few days into 100’s), while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 45.20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Buena Park is 14.70 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is February with an average rainfall of 3.62 Inches

Orange County and all of California is in the Pacific Time Zone.
Closest DPers,.. MM and Kian

[Margie-Rex's Mom]

Kris - my cousin lives in Dana Point. I went out about 10 years ago and spent a week. I loved Laguna Beach - a very artsy community...lots of galleries and shops. The beach was gorgeous! You live in a very beautiful area of S. Cal!

[Deerie me]

I've only been to northern California but I loved it. I could quite easliy imagine living there.

[Margie-Rex's Mom]

Except for the earthquakes. When I was in San Francisco, the hotel had these safety cards that they gave you to read when you checked in: what to do in case of earthquake. And the rooms had escape plans on the doors. But...like you, Tracy, I could have seen myself living in the area. So beautiful and an amazing arts community.