California

Happy California Admission Day.

We were admitted to the Union on September 9, 1850, as the thirty-first state. We are currently the most populous (one out of every eight United States residents lives in California).

More turkeys are raised in California than in any other state in the United States. Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge contains the largest winter population of bald eagles in the continental United States.

The Hollywood Bowl is the world's largest outdoor amphitheater. Inyo National Forest is home to the bristle cone pine, the oldest living species; some of the gnarled trees are thought to be over 4,600 years old. San Francisco Bay is considered the world's largest landlocked harbor.

California is known variously as The Land of Milk and Honey, The El Dorado State, The Golden State, and The Grape State. There are more than 300,000 tons of grapes grown in California annually; California produces more than 17 million gallons of wine each year.

The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are within 100 miles of one another—Mount Whitney measures 14,495 feet and Bad Water in Death Valley is 282 feet below sea level.

Castroville is known as the Artichoke Capital of the World. In 1947 a young woman named Norma Jean was crowned Castroville's first Artichoke Queen. She went on to become actress Marilyn Monroe.

state bird: California valley quail
state flower: California poppy
state tree: California redwood
state motto: Eureka (I have found it)
state song: "I Love You, California"
state animal: California grizzly bear
state fish: California golden trout
state colors: blue and gold
state bread: sourdough
state fruit: avocado, figs, and apricot
state salad: Cobb

For other California facts and trivia, see here.

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And speaking of salads, today's was: Baby lettuces with mint, sage, feta, lemon vinaigrette, and roasted chicken.



image: Christie B. Cochrell, Poppies