Learn from our mistakes

If you are considering a move from the Bay Area to another part of the country, let me suggest something not to do:

1) Don't take the kids to Muir Woods on a gorgeous, sunny Sunday morning when the light is streaming through the trees like something you would find on a religious greeting card. If you must go, try not to breathe in at all while there, because the nostalgia of the scent of those trees will almost knock you out;

2) If you ignore my advice in #1, at least try not to notice how much they love it - heads thrown back to take in the enormity of the redwoods, running in and out of the trees with the natural "caves" in them, and their need to hike the trail on the hill, even though you didn't bring the backpack and it means that you must carry your 30-lb. toddler on your shoulders or hip the entire way;

3) If you can't resist breaking rules #1 and #2, at the very least do yourself the favor of not thinking about the lack of such a magnificent place where you're going, because no matter how many lovely images you can conjure up about where you're headed, it won't be anything like this.