Along the Atlantic Coast

. Working our way south along the coasts of North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and into Florida brought some interesting insights. From the Outer Banks of NC, to Virginia Beach, to Myrtle Beach, to Jacksonville and Orlando, we found things to be really pristine. Golf courses known only to me by watching PGA golf tourneys, filled the void between the beaches. But was most incredible was that everything was clean, totally free of vagrants. Posted signs repeated warnings to panhandlers that it was illegal, not only to beg but to even be present. Much unlike areas of California and Oregon where the courts have ruled that it is a freedom of speech to beg on every corner, and to live freely on either public or private property. People, both the locals and tourists seem to gel well here despite their obvious differences in race and culture. And I like that. Not a word about Trayvon Martin could be heard. People here seem to not get bogged down with politics, although the recent video of the clown mimicking Obama brought a giggle or two. .