What do you think of Forbes’ annual list of 100 Great Things About America?
It’s a fun little tradition, Forbes listing 100 great things about America on the Fourth of July. After all, this is the day that those of us who live in the US celebrate our independence from England.
For most of us, the holiday is more about having a few days off work and trying not to lose limbs while setting off fireworks we crossed state borders to buy (image my husband, my father and me lighting mortars and then running away and throwing ourselves to the ground as they exploded… okay, I was the only one throwing myself to the ground… but still).
Anyway, there are some great ones on here. Here are some of my favorites:
#42 Skateboarding: I love skateboarding so much it’s even in my author bio. It’s so American, my dad remembers his cousins breaking down roller skates and attaching them to scrap lumber in the early 60s in Newport Beach, California.
#96 New England Clam Chowder: A food somehow as creepy as it is delicious. Brilliant invention. Not for eating during this heat wave, however.
#58 Pacific Coast Highway: Have you driven it? Mountains on one side, ocean on the other, tiny surf towns, big cities, deer munching on grass on the side of the road, dolphins leaping out of the water as you drive past… San Diego, Santa Monica, Big Sur, San Francisco and north to the Redwood Forest. It’s heaven.
#13 Polio Vaccine: Talk about a useful invention! Thanks, Dr. Salk, and thank you America.
What are your favorites from Forbes’ list? Which are stinkers?
Photo of the author’s father, husband and son taken by American great #88: Instagram
“….,this is the day that those of us who live in the US celebrate our independence from England.” Wow – so if it’s only independence from England, that means there are back taxes to pay to Scotland, Wales and Ireland for the last 235 years! We take Amex! Pay up! P^) Acts of Union 1707 Thank heavens the authors of the deceleration of independence indicted the Crown and The King (George III) and not just a country! The legal fall out would comical! Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains… Read more »
This is basically a list of their favorite products/brands. Many of which I do love, but it seems like its a marketing gimmick.
Yeah, maybe some of it is embedded advertising… But I assume that PCH isn’t paying them to advertise for their highway 😉