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To the Editor:
It's amazing where 2,500 miles can take you…

As a wide-eyed youngster, eager to see the world, it is easy to neglect your surroundings. I'll admit it, the scenes of southern California seemed much more enticing than another summer of Nillie Bipper. Not that crafts shows aren't fun, but let's face it… there are no palm trees in Cleveland.  I had the chance, and I bolted. After a year of west Coast "paradise", I realize I've found myself.

I found myself, however, not on the set of Baywatch, surrounded by bikini-clad blondes, nor did I spend my time hitting California's premiere mountain biking trails. I found myself paying two dollars and thirty cents a gallon for gasoline and waiting for hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic on a San Diego freeway.  On the outside it sounds harmonious.

I'm only 20 years old, yet I afford a rent payment of $1,200 dollars a month. That's right, my rent is twice my parent's. It sounds like I'm pretty well off, until you realize I live in a one-bedroom apartment.  Traveling along the interstate one can spot huge billboards advertising, "Houses starting in the low $300,000's."

The scariest part about it is wages aren't that different than they are back in my little town of Cleveland. My wife, a history-teacher, can expect to find a job in one of the most troubled suburbs of San Diego paying a hefty $30,000.

So there I was, surrounded for an hour on all sides by the heavy morning traffic that I realized a few things:

I miss my hometown. I miss its movie theatre. I think four movie choices is enough. I like being able to take a jog around the neighborhood without fear of being mugged.  I like being able to spend an entire day without ever getting on an interstate. I realized that I miss all the things that I escaped from. From camp meetings to those pesky Keith St. cruisers on Friday nights… From Halloween's Block Party to a smoke filled waffle house where one can order a glass of sweet tea. I can't wait to come home. So, for those who are eager to skip town in search of bright lights and big cities, the grass is plenty green where you are.
But that's just my opinion…

Rob Wynkoop