What's the BEST state in the union?

I've got that one. Except it's a shot glass. Was looking for one with the Temple stenciled on it.

For states, I have to say Oregon is about as close to perfect as they get — if you can tolerate the dark, rainy winters. Portland is as good a city as there is, the coast is stunning, the there are distinct regions. The wine — I'm especially fond of that pinot vino you'll find around Dundee and Carlton — is to die for. It's also home to the microbrew capitol of the world. Portland is eclectic, you have hipsters and litsters, plus a distinct blue collar, rural mentality in certain neighborhoods. There's not a ton of black/white diversity, but plenty of, "I like this, you like that and we coexist peacefully" diversity.

Other town are hit and miss. Salem sucks, but is a stoner's throw from wine country and the beach (and we know stoners throw like girls). Eugene is, well, the hometown of Ken Kesey (Pleasant Hill, actually, but I'm being broad). Bend is as good as any of the aforementioned towns in Colorado. The Columbia River Gorge is as pretty as Maine and Vermont, to be sure.

Have I said anything not worth liking yet?

Oh, and you can drive in any direction until you run out of gas and not have to pay a toll. That, to me was the most annoying thing about living back East.

 

Eugene is sketch.

A real shithole.

 

I don't think cops anywhere have a problem cuffing and detaining folks should they get the urge. They can always come up with some reason.

 

If they have probable cause, cops anywhere can grab you, and it can take a lot longer than 30 minutes.