I am no stranger to asthma...but I managed to outgrow it as I left my teens - I also had croup once which is even more fun for someone with asthma.

Nowadays, asthma is more common due to pollutants. The humidity of a beachtown was good for croup and a steamy shower probably saved my life, but was not good for asthma.

I agree, I might be complaining more if I were still in LA's suburbs and not breathing in much cleaner air. But I have also worked near a freeway where the pollution levels were staggering.

A california bus pollutes like fifty modern regular cars combined - and different pollutants are emitted which are completely restricted in passenger cars -and for the twenty people onboard it saves fuel, but not necessarily the environment.

I'm sorry if I pegged you as a big-car hater. I just remember your mentioning rollerblading over driving the minivan...and was just being my naturally presumptious self. ;-)

I have walked a lot. I walk when it is feasible and I find it fun and great exercise.

But it is also fun cruising with the top down and feeling the wind in one's hair as one drives along the open highway - that is until you get behind a bus or a truck.

I have done my share of both.

Since coming to a region akin to hell at times - I have learned that folks stay indoors for fear of skin cancer and just massive sun-burns. The sky's clearer and the air is warmer - but I seldom drop the top or drive convertibles anymore due to the radiation.

This area receives some of the highest radiation in the US short of Death Valley, CA. It's 20% more per square inch than in CA along the coasts and a lot more than on the east coast.

I was nonplussed when no one was washing their cars or working outdoors on balmy 75 degree days - but soon learned "It's the UV rays stupid!"

A whole car culture has evolved that is unlike any I was familiar with. The car is revered here as a sort of tank - fitted with limo tint for the windows, a customized desert cooler radiator, freon-retrofits from across the Mexican border, and a lifestyle which favors fast food and car travel over walking and exercise. As a result many more people create home gyms and the swimming pools are used by many in the evenings.

It simply is unfeasible to walk here even remotely as much as I did in CA.

I hope your two children outgrow their asthma - my brother and I did just that. Not being able to breathe is not fun and people diminish the illness regularly, often folks can't understand when you look fit but can't run the 300m.

Best wishes,

SDAI-Tech1

PS
I think you and Larry are equally stubborn. ;-) This has been an entertaining thread - far better than most flame threads. Thanks!