Gregg, an intern with National Geographic Maps, was raised on Long Island but has since spent time living
in Ithaca, NY, San Diego, CA and Washington, DC.  His hobbies range
from outdoor sports like surfing, sailing, camping and soccer to indoor
fun with music, cooking and art.

I was born a New Yorker and as such, the sight of palm trees translates in my mind as rest, relaxation, and vacation.   Moving to San Diego, a coastal paradise, it took some convincing that this was the norm.  After two years of living in the Pacific Beach neighborhood, an MTV spring break Mecca, I switched gears by relocating just one mile away. Up the mesa and overlooking the beaches rests Bay Park, a small community consisting of predominately the 65+ demographic.  The tallest building in our neighborhood was a Geriatric high-rise just walking distance to the Hometown Buffet, which boasted the cheapest early bird special for miles.  Not knowing what to expect of our new location, my roommate and I began exploring the area.  

We would walk along the ridge of the canyon and spot our neighborhood’s endless supply of citrus.  Many of the trees were neglected, either through lack of watering or the fruits being left to ripen and fall to the ground.  Instead of being confronted by college students screaming out car windows, we could now stroll peacefully and converse with residents of our laid back community.  It was a glorified retirement at the ripe old age of 26.  

Continue reading “Gregg Verutes- Not a Typical Mother’s Day Present”