America's Purdiest, Per Forbes Traveler

ForbesTraveler.com recently compiled a list of what they deemed to be the prettiest darn towns in these here United States. Luckily for me, I've already seen quite a few of them -- and I've knocked off several this summer alone.

There was a wealth of options in the Southwest and Northeast, but I was surprised how few were in the Northwest, and not so surprised about the lack in the Southeast and Midwest. But where's Bellingham or Friday Harbor? And does New Hampshire really warrant two picks?

The biggest surprise was Bodie, a California ghost town in the Sierras, current population: 0. I have to admit, the photos from my visit there a few years back are some of my favorites, as it's quite the picturesque town. It helped that no cars ever drove in front of my shots. Here's my tally of the been-there, done-thats from the Forbes list:

• Rockport, ME
  
• Springdale, UT
  
• Burlington, VT -- Visited this summer on a day-trip from the Berkshires. Pretty town, but the realistic statues of people frozen in everyday poses was a tad on the eerie side.
  
• Bisbee, AZ
  
• Cape May, NJ -- How is it that I worked on a film about the Jersey Shore all summer and still never made it here?
  
• Annapolis, MD -- When I drove through the colonial-styled town a few years back, my friend remarked, "I want to write a book here." I still have dreams of holing myself up in an 18th-century home with my laptop in front of the fire.
  
• Lake Placid, NY -- Does driving through on the way to Montreal count? Darn, thought not.
  
• Portsmouth, NH
  
• New Hope, PA -- Finally knocked this one off the list just a few weeks ago.
  
• Flagstaff, AZ
  
• Newport, RI -- Skip the Breakers. Visit Belcourt Castle instead.
  
• Galena, IL
  
• Marfa, TX
  
• Park City, UT
  
• Mendocino, CA
  
• Savannah, GA
  
• Bodie, CA -- I swear, I'll post pictures soon. I'm pretty proud of these. So proud that there are bathrooms across LA with pictures of my black-and-white outhouses hanging in them.
  
• Hanover, NH
  
• Aspen, CO -- I'm counting this one because I drove through twice this summer.
  
• Santa Fe, NM

"Greetings From The Shore" Hits Theatres Today

The day has finally arrived! My friend's film is out in the theaters today, and I would love if everyone who could do so this weekend would buy a ticket and go see the show. Heck, you don't even have to see the show, just buy the ticket!

Buy tickets on Fandango

The film has won more than 45 awards and has played at more than 70 film festivals. Please pass on the word to anyone you might know in New Jersey or the NYC and Philly areas, where it's opening. You know how important opening weekend is!

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