And I’m hyped as heck
I’ll type this story before i doublecheck
My Redditgifts profile for the millionth time
All is want, is to ensure that I’m
Through with answers, and funny too
It’s time for the recap without further adou.
​
Man those rhymes are getting worse and worse.
Anyway, I'm back with another adventure calendar countdown. For anyone unfamiliar, I send my giftees on an immersive treasure/scavenger hunt every year for secret santa. I’m talking through my side of things just as a way to give you a peek behind the curtain.
You can check the last three posts here, here, and here.

Wanna know what happens when an adventure doesn’t go quite as planned? Because this is what happens when an adventure doesn’t go as planned.

I give you:
Constructed Adventure no. 46: The Archer Princess and the cactus pin.
I was super intrigued when I learned my giftee lived in a small town outside Reno, NV. I was even more intrigued when I learned that she often did Legacy Horseback rides and was learning horseback archery.
This adventure was going to be in the wilderness.
After a bit of communication, I was relieved to learn that her and her husband would be fine heading into Reno. There was just so much more to work with.
I landed in Reno, booked my stay at one of the cheap hotel/casinos (Note: They’re all cheap) and went scouting! I’d done the usual Yelp/Google/TripAdvisor scrape to find my best possibilities for stops and beelined to a cute little place called “Daughter’s Cafe.” This is a Restaurant built in a home. The Owner lives upstairs. She’s super cool and the food was incredible. Pretty sure I ate there every day. Anyway, unprompted, the owner told me about these wild chickadee birds that live in the mountains halfway from here to lake tahoe (about a 45 minute drive). She hand drew me a map and gave me a bag of seed and said
“If you stand still, they’ll eat out of your hand”
Unreal.
So I drove up the mountain, rented up some snowshoes, and fed some chickadees. It was a magical experience that I HAD to send my giftee on. (note: normally I dont like having any spot have a longer travel distance than 15 minutes but occasionally I’ll make an exception).
Also, since she did archery, I really wanted her to have to shoot something down. So I scouted a spot 5-10 minutes into the trail where she would shoot down a chest from a tree.
After that spot, most of the other stops were pretty simple. She’d hit a few places in the Riverfront district, before stopping in at a speakeasy, then hitting an incredible hike, deciphering someone doing semaphore 100’s of feet away, and then meeting me up the mountainside under a fully decorated real christmas tree!
When she got her initial package, it contained a little cactus pin. The goal was to signpost every stop with the pin. (Signposting is a technique puzzlemakers use to let players know they’re on the right track). Everywhere she went, she either found, or someone was wearing one of the pins!
The day kicked off perfectly! The weather was temperate and everything looked up. My giftee and her husband hit the cafe, ate breakfast, and headed up the mountain. They picked up the snowshoes from a place midway to the spot. The guy behind the counter was kind of a jerk, but he still played along.
Then they got to the spot. I actually passed them as they got out of their car! Me and a friend who I flew in (Same guy who helped me will all the other adventures) returned our shoes and then waited...and waited….and waited....
An hour passed by.
Turns out there were two parallel paths with the same name! One was the correct path (Signposted with large roses along the way) and the other was the incorrect path. I made three big mistakes that led to this snafu:

1. I should have done more thorough scouting to notice the other path with the same name.
2. I should have been more detailed with directions and how long they should expect to take on the trek
3. I gave them my phone number at the beginning of the adventure but never got theirs. They ended up leaving the note with my number in their car.

So after snowshoeing 2-3 miles into the mountains, they decided to turn back to their car, get my number, and text me.
Needless to say we were just a bit behind schedule.
Once they got back to their car and messaged me, we sorted the issue and they found and shot down the chest with ease!
They headed back down the mountain and continued their adventure. But we’d lost a ton of time on the day. Once i arrived at what was supposed to be the final location, it was getting dark, and it was brutally windy. I was pretty miserable up there and I can’t imagine they would want to be up there after snowshoeing such a long way!
So I called it! I messaged them to stay in the speakeasy and order more drinks! I drove back to the spot, and gave them all their presents at the bar. It was so much nicer than up on a dark windy hilltop.
So that’s it! Another adventure in the bag. Definitely NOT what I expected but still fun. I learn a lot of lessons after each adventure and sometimes hiccups happen!
It goes without saying that if you’re ever planning a treasure/scavenger hunt for someone, don't hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to double check your plan and point out potential pitfalls you might have.
Hope you enjoyed this recap. No shameless plug this time! Just a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to the mods and admins who run Redditgifts. Tomorrow is their day of reckoning and all i can say is

༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ MODS TAKE MY ENERGY ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

Zodiac meticulously hand drew his ciphers, but his handwritten letters were sometimes sloppy and often contained spelling errors. Theories about the misspelled words vary. But I think they do have a purpose.
I was looking at the dragon card message when I realized the obvious. Zodiac was meticulous with his correspondence. Nothing was included that wasn't meant to be there. Because he put in so much effort, he wouldn't have allowed for any mistakes. If you read the message you will notice that he misspells a word, only to spell it correctly a couple lines down. So he knows how to spell correctly. There are no mistakes in any of those letters. The misspellings are meant to be there because they serve a purpose.
1) The first mistake is the last word of Line 6 - "butons". Now, if you write the correct spelling "Buttons" above "butons" and cross out the matching letters in each word, you are left with a "T".
2) The next mistake you will come to isn't a misspelled word, but contains one. The Zodiac is talking about all of the buttons he sees people around San Fran wearing. One of his examples is "Melvin eats bluber". The Melvin Belli reference aside, this was a mistake. There never were any Melvin eats blubber buttons. The buttons actually said "Melville eats blubber". So, write that above his mistake and cross out the letters that occur in both words. You will get N, L, L, E, B.
3) Next is the word "considerbly" which will give you an A.
4) Then another "Buton" which will give you a T.
5) Lastly for this message, another "Melvin's", which will give you N, L, L, E.
So all together you have ( T N LLE B A T N LLE )
You can make that into several things. I first saw the last name of one of the prime Zodiac suspects, Arthur Lee Allen. Remember, Arthur Lee Allen lived with his mother, whose name was Bernice Allen. B Allen?
TELL
B ALLEN NT
BALLET or BATTLE?
It may just be nonsense. But there are obvious clues in the letters besides the ciphers. For Instance, the 13 cipher with the map of Mt. Diablo. The 13 cipher uses letters and symbols from the face of a 1968 Zodiac Watch Company Sea Wolf watch. Now, Zodiac drew the watch company's symbol (his symbol) of the circle and cross over Mt. Diablo. He then wrote 0, 3, 6, 9 and "Set to Mag. N." next to the 0. (FYI, a model of the Sea Wolf had a compass N,E,S,W dial around the face). So, the 3,6,9 are all in the correct place where they would appear on the watch face. BUT THE 0! The 0 is where the 12 o'clock should be. I think there may have been a 0 on the ring around the watch face as well, but can't remember. Now, in the same letter Zodiac drew his circle and cross with "-12". He was saying there wasn't a 12, there was a 0. Because Zodiac -12 SFPD - 0. Was this his location in relation to the SFPD and not his body count?
Also, the South Lake Tahoe letter and victim Lass. She worked at a casino there. In the 13 Cipher, you can clearly see that the first word plainly says
C A S I N × O. The message on the postcard in question said "Peek through the pines". Could he have meant, "Peak through the pines", as in mountain peak? Zodiac had said that the cipher related to radians and inches on a map. The first and last letters of this cipher are C and G. In geometry, C represents radians, G represents gradians. I am not extremely proficient in math, but I can't see where it actually does represent what he says it does. I think he was lying..Go figure.
A while back I took a different approach to the 340 or 408 Cipher, can't remember which one I used at the time, and I lost everything because that computer crashed. I have an anger issue with computers. I punch them too much, which greatly affects their performance. But all of the symbols used are actually astrological symbols that, in turn, represent specific numbers. They are symbols that are used to make a person's astrological chart, like for the moment they were born. It gets difficult tracking down the meaning of each symbol when you know nothing about astrology. But, I went one symbol at a time and replaced them with their numeric value and it actually read real coordinates of longitude and latitude. The first coordinate was a place in Northern California, near the Nevada Border, by the Scott Warner Wilderness Area. I only finished the first two lines, so I don't know if it would have lead to something of actual importance. But I think it would have been just another dead end or another puzzle.
All of the tangents, leads, and circumstantial evidence can lead you in so many different directions. I know a lot of people were very excited when they discovered the 1952 Tim Holt Red Mask comic book. The issue that featured Lady Doom and the Wheel of Death. The wheel listed ways to die, like "Death by Knife", "Death by Gun", "Death by Rope". So the Zodiac's message scratched into the car door at Lake Berryessa appears to be directly linked to the comic. People began looking at Tim Holt. But even more curious was the illustrator of the comic book, Frank Bolle. He signed his initials in the artwork "FWB" in a way that is extremely similar to one of the symbols designs Zodiac used later on (not in a cipher). Frank Bolle wrote a comic strip in 1971 called Alexander Gates. The character was an astrologist. Frank Bolle is deceased now, but the coincidences were strange.
Despite all of this, I can't get by the idea that Zodiac wasn't just one or two people, but the result of several events. The first couple killed were David Farraday and Betty Lou Jensen. I do not believe Cherri Jo Bates was a Zodiac victim, but was later claimed for understandable reasons that I will discuss. I read an interview with Betty Lou's family after the murder, and I was left with the feeling that there wasn't really any grieving. The father, Verne Jensen, struck me as odd. Verne Jensen was a career Army officer, and was working at the GSA in that area. One thing that I noticed was that Betty Lou had siblings, or at least one sibling, an older sister. After she is pictured in that interview, you don't hear of her again.
From my understanding, the relationship between Verne and his youngest daughter Betty Lou, was somewhat rocky. Betty Lou was sort of the black sheep. She wanted to date boys when she was too young, and had been in trouble with her parents before that. On the night of the murders, she was supposed to be at a school function, and I believe her parents had forbid her from going on a date. So, perhaps Verne suspected something, or saw her pull away from the diner in a boys car. But he followed them out to a remote lover's lane spot. He had been upset about how her activities made the family look. It would not have been good if she was whoring around with some boy. And kids go out to lover's lanes to have sex. It's that simple.
Instead of going to the school function like she was supposed to, she went to the diner with the boy to meet friends, then went to the lover's lane. Verne pulled up, and in a fit of rage, ordered them out of the car. One thing led to another and he shot David Farraday in the back of the head. Betty Lou was back from the car. Perhaps he had ordered her to go back to his car. But then, out of anger and fear, he shot Betty Lou. She was shot five times, opposed to David's one. There was some prejudice and a connection between her and the killer.
Six months later..Darlene Ferrin and Michael Mageau are parked in a dark, remote lover's lane. A car pulls up, leaves, and comes back about ten minutes later. The two can't see because of the lights from the car behind. That's why they think it's a cop. The killer fires multiple rounds into the car, killing Darlene. Michael survives.
Darlene Ferrin was a married woman. No matter how you try to spin this, the husband could not have been happy with her activities. So, perhaps he drove by and saw them parked. Or one of his friends did. They pulled in, verified it was them, went to get a gun and came back. Once again, Darlene was killed. Michael survived, but probably not on purpose. I think different ammunition was used in this killing, as opposed to Betty Lou and David.
After that, the killer got scared. If it was Darlene's husband, his only thought was that he would be the prime suspect. So he panicked. Three blocks from his house, across the street from the police station, he called the police and reported the murders. He also said he was responsible for the other two murders six months before, and hung up. Why would he do that? The first two murders were shocking, and everybody in that area knew about them. He didn't want the police to suspect him, the natural suspect in this type of murder. So he claimed to be the killer of the kids at both places. If the police went on the idea that one psycopath killer was responsible, and if the husband had an airtight alibi for the time when Betty Lou and David were killed, then he couldn't have been responsible for any of them.
I don't know if Verne wrote the first letter, or he did. But it solidified the idea that one person was responsible for the two seperate instances. Anybody who followed the case at the time would know this. So then we have the Lake Berryessa murders, which was well planned. Someone had followed the case and made himself a Zodiac costume to hide his identity. But this killing wasn't like the others. The killer tied up his victims and used a knife. And he did it in broad daylight.
He was using the Zodiac image of the killer that had been created in the news. To tie them into the others, he wrote the dates of the murders and played off the Tim Holt comic book.
Then came Paul Stine, which didn't match any of the others.
In that time, letters were written which the Zodiac established his identity, taunted the police, threatened more killings, and included cryptic ciphers to mislead the police. The Cherri Jo Bates murder became known as a possible Zodiac killing, and the writer gladly claimed credit. The more killings, the more locations, the more times, if all tied into one suspect, would essentially disqualify any of the killers (one, two, or three people). Because not one of them could have been in all those places at those times, and that would have provided an alibi. One thing that the writer of the letters could count on, was the fact that he could claim the previous murders and not worry about the real killer stepping forward and saying, "No he didn't. That was me." Because Verne would have just wanted to be forgotten about.
And handwriting analysis was not very good at the time. You will notice that some Zodiac letters are sloppy and some are neatly printed. They vary. I wouldn't doubt if the ciphers are all just nonsensical bullshit. The more murders you tie into one person, the more of an airtight alibi you create for yourself. Because, if one person was responsible for all of them, then an alibi for just one would disqualify you as the killer for all of them.
Lastly, you have to look at serial killers before and after. Serial killers kill for personal reasons. It something that is very private to them. They usually have one safe spot where they feel comfortable. Ed Gein had his farm and was somewhat of a recluse. The Green River Killer had a remote spot on the Green River. John Wayne Gacy had all of his bodies under his house. Richard NG had the bodies under a remote cabin. Ted Bundy broke this rule, but killed in the same manner as he travelled across country. But the bodies were mostly in one private location. It would probably have really bothered any of them to have their private locations discovered. None of them wrote lettter after letter claiming responsibility for killing. All of them killed by one method. The last thing any of them wanted was to be a suspect, or to be in the spotlight. None of them wrote letters to shame the police. They were all very private people. So, Zodiac strays away from this. It doesn't match the profile of a serial killer. It's not what a serial killer would do, because it's not why a serial killer actually kills.
I don't think we will ever know who the killer or killers actually were.
Thanks for reading,
Matt Brubach

Good afternoon everybody, and welcome to today's installment of our Album of the Year coverage! With the decade winding down, nmhipstertrash is here with a piece on Surf Curse and their album Heaven Surrounds You.
Artist: Surf Curse
Album: Heaven Surrounds You
Listen:
YouTube
Spotify
Bandcamp
Background by NMHipsterTrash
Surf Curse is an American surf punk/indie rock band from Reno, Nevada, formed by lead guitarist/vocalist Jacob Rubeck and drummevocalist Nick Rattigan. Their first two projects, Buds and Sad Boys EP, were both released in 2013. After four years and activity in their other projects (Casino Hearts, Current Joys), their second full-length, Nothing Yet, was released by Danger Collective Records on January 13th, 2017.
Heaven Surrounds You’s was announced on June 11th of this year, along with the music video for the first single, “Disco”. “Midnight Cowboy” and “Hour of the Wolf” were also released as singles. The album dropped on September 13th, 2019.
Review by NMHipsterTrash
Surf Curse’s impact is somewhat strange. The greatest gripe about it is, well, have they actually made an impact? Their popularity stems from the period of time where “Kegz-core” videos would catch in people’s YouTube algorithms, be matched with aesthetic subtitles, and rest on either Tumblr home pages or playlist websites. Surf Curse followed a cycle other lo-fi projects would, receiving popularity in this subsect of the internet. 2020 is in five days. Not a lot of artists from this time are still active. The music started to age once its audience did, and trying to capture the same magic they once did can only accomplish so much. Nothing very apparent, on a wide-scale, can separate Surf Curse from similar bands from that era and scene.
Reno, the duo’s place of origin, is an incubator. I am lucky to have called the scene home until I went to college, and it is clear that Surf Curse is integral to its style. Centered around an art exhibit/DIY spot, it’s as if Salvia Palth never broke up. At any show you can see a combination of shoestring belts, beige pants, and Lynch references. The crowd synonymous with this venue are most present at any Surf Curse-related show, and along with them they carry a strong sense of energy. Nick and Jacob are hometown heroes, for better and for worse. Teens will bring their parents to the gig and swing from the wooden rafters.
They will grow up. We all do, as long as we’re still alive. Will Surf Curse grow up? How so?
Heaven Surrounds You does not open with a bang. If anything, “Maps to the Stars” is standard fare for the duo; a simple yet sweet guitar line and driving beat, overlapped by repetitive lyrics. However, there’s something different in the atmosphere, even if it’s not necessarily clear. We listened to Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck step past writing songs about making out, unreciprocated feelings, and carefree youth on Nothing Yet. How bleak and direct the first track was, “Christine F”, certainly caught fans by surprise. A sense of personal connection did feel stripped from their lyrics, and while the latest album is nowhere closer to the band’s earlier material, “Maps to the Stars” breathes the fresh air you would circling Lake Tahoe. The frenzied performance that we can come to expect is blanketed by synth, and the words sung up to that point is, at its heart, a love poem centered around a movie reference.
It would be absurd to deny the influence film has on their work. Not only does it say on their bandcamp that this record “expands the band’s songwriting to envelope new audiences in their cinematic sound”, but a lot of the songs on here share a title with an evident movie. “Labyrinth”, for example. Not a far cry from its predecessor, but now the atmosphere feels distinct. The band’s sound is more full than ever. There’s so much air to it. The instrumental break at 1:30 is a perfect accompaniment to the bounce of Bowie’s crotch bulge. “Maps to the Stars” and “Labyrinth” work as opening shots to a film of their own. We are hooked, but what is going to happen? Where are the two going to go? What do we expect?
Fucking bass.
When it was released as the lead single, “Disco” was recognized as an evident departure from their sound. First of all, fucking bass. There’s an emphasis on a groove we’ve never had. Paired with Rattigan’s vocals, “Disco” emanates the protagonist's elbow shake, hips nearing their love interest, their heart spilling out through the chorus’ falsetto. As Surf Curse wring out their new style, celluloid drips between their fingers. “River’s Edge” forwards the plot in a relatively calm and introspective manner. Lines like “I hope I can hear you sing/when I’m sick of everything” and “Where nothing is ever said/and all the people never forget/all the things you never said” resonate pain throughout the final yell, but catharsis sought by an overbearing instrumental finish is subdued by synth . Once again. Yet again.
Surf Curse are pulling on their roots. “Midnight Cowboy” and “Hour of the Wolf” are standout tracks for subverting familiarity. For Rubeck’s first stint as a vocalist on here, the guitar remains light in the mix (bass takes the front seat), reminiscent of surfier tracks like “Haunt Me”. The song holds an indie rock structure, something actually fleshed out compared to surf punk. However, Rubeck’s delivery and final refrain harken back to the youthful passion their old sound had. On the other hand, “Hour of the Wolf” is what I imagine doing coke is like. Not an implication of any person associated with Surf Curse’s lifestyle. It’s hard to explain. Something among the lines of envisioning faces falling off as time moves fast yet you feel younger than ever. Something like that. You know?
Anyways.
We enter the back half of the album after experiencing six of the strongest tracks in the band’s discography. Each one feels as if they serve as a soundtrack for their own, individual short film. The precedent has been set, and instead of trying to twist their formula even more, they decide to capitalize on their new gains. “Dead Ringers” features a punchy, back-and-forth riff with dreamy and brief lyrics. There is room for the protagonist to continue their journey with no wasted space. It lives up to its name, in which the film it soundtracks has a faint smell of Cronenberg. Not entirely, but it’s there.
Rattigan’s croon on “Safe” is a cry. We’ve heard it before when all was lost, forever dumb, or when Surf Curse were just freaks. While the juvenile nature of those emotional calls carried a scent of B.O. thinly veiled by deodorant, “I’m safe alone” is masked with cologne. For a two minute track, every second is filled with passion. The band nails simplicity as if it was six, five years ago, and no time was lost. “Memory” strikes nostalgia by using exposition (for the first time so far in the film!) amidst solid dream-pop instrumentation. Catchy as always, what’s important to note are the final chunk of lines. Songwriters usually use unique life experiences to evoke a deep sentiment. What’s weird is, although we can tell this is close to Rubeck’s heart, this is an exact moment in time I’ve experienced. What’s weirder is that I know more people who have also experienced it. The emotional truth, and the overarching effect of it in “Memory”, “was just so damn good”.
We can find the most cinematic moments within the final three tracks. “Opera” opens with acoustic guitar and has the space of a modern Current Joys track. Imagery of desperation and loss are painted by the descriptions of bondage, heartbreak, and wanting closure. The backing vocals on the second half adds an extra layer of what’s being articulated, and the dreamy, synth-filled ending shared with other tracks feels completely natural. A transition, sonically and tonally, to “Trust” has the listener dancing. We are moving on ground level, the dance floor, in the moment. Once baby takes a chance on the protagonist, the oo’s right after freeze time. We are at the climax. The protagonist knows what they want. The protagonist knows what they need.
“Jamie”. Eleven songs, scenes, films, have passed. Although it sits as the longest track at nearly five minutes, this is the Surf Curse we have come to expect. They let their lyrics soak in the time allotted. A wide range of emotions were expressed in moments of urgency, nostalgia, and loneliness. To hear Rubeck and Rattigan sing, in full confidence, “I love all the people in my life/All my friends keep me alive” before soundtracking an 80’s movie finish, accomplishes something for every party involved.
On the bandcamp page, Heaven Surrounds You is described as a “coming-of-age epic”. What makes coming-of-age stories evocative is when there’s an understanding of the emotions involved. If it’s relatable, it is real. Surf Curse is not telling a random coming-of-age story, but their own. They balanced a mature presentation while wearing their hearts on their sleeves every scene.
Surf Curse grew up, and remained personal as ever.
Favorite Lyrics by NMHipsterTrash

Hey are you gonna find me
Look on the maps to the stars
Oh my heart is on fire
Burn whoever you are

• Maps To The Stars

But I can't touch your skin
It burns with the shitty grin of Zeus
And heaven surrounds you

• Hour of the Wolf

Cause it hurts so much to close my eyes
But I never wanna watch you die
And I’d rather make myself go blind
Then stare into your dying eyes
So I’ll close mine

• Opera

Talking Points

• Surf Curse has stepped away from its gritty surf punk style. Do you believe this was a step in the right direction?
  
• If you could pick any song to be your “Tumblr theme”, which one would it be? Why?
  
• Is it important for a band to “mature”?
  
• Do songs, from any band, ever paint movie scenes for you?
  
• Are there any unsung classics from the Kegzcore era that should have gotten more attention?
  

Thanks again to nmhipstertrash for the terrific writeup! Tomorrow in this space, we'll have yoooooouuuuuuuu to talk about Avey Tare's newest solo album, Cows on Hourglass Pond. In the meantime, if you wanna discuss today's album, you can in the comments below! Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow!

I am trying to collect bottle caps from as many CA-based based breweries as possible...I think I've bought all the individual ones currently available on eBay. Looking for recommendations on where I might be able to find more, whether for individual sale or in bulk. I even have a list of the breweries I'm still missing. I lived in CA for several years where my collection began. I'm trying to get bottle caps from 61 different breweries to fill a wooden map of CA. Currently I have 25.
I've posted in CaliforniaBeer as well, just looking for whatever recommendations are out there.
​
Edit: Breweries I am currently looking for listed below
​

• 21st Amendment Brewery in San Leandro • Ale Industries in Oakland • Altamont Beer Works in Livermore • Buffalo Bill's Brewery in Hayward • Cleophus Quealy Beer Company in San Leandro • Diving Dog Brewhouse in Oakland • Drake's Brewing Company in San Leandro • Eight Bridges Brewing Company in Livermore • Faction Brewing in Alameda • Fieldwork Brewing Company in Berkeley • Hoi Polloi Brewpub and Beat Lounge in Berkeley • JP DasBrew in Fremont • Oakland United Beerworks (formerly Linden Street Brewery) in Oakland • Old Kan Beer & Co. in Oakland • The Rare Barrel in Berkeley • Shadow Puppet Brewing Company in Livermore • Triple Rock Brewery and Alehouse in Berkeley • Trumer Brauerei in Berkeley • Woods Bar & Brewery in Oakland • Working Man Brewing Company in Livermore 

Amador County

• Amador Brewing Company in Plymouth • Butte County • Sierra Nevada Brewing Company headquarters in Chico • Eckert Malting and Brewing in Chico • Feather Falls Casino Brewing Company in Oroville • Feather River Brewing Company in Magalia • NorCal Brewing in Chico • Secret Trail Brewing in Chico 

Contra Costa County

• Calicraft in Walnut Creek • Danville Brewing Company in Danville • E.J. Phair Brewing Company in Pittsburg • Farm Creek Brewing Company in Walnut Creek • Elevation 66 Brewing Company in El Cerrito • Schubros Brewery in San Ramon • Epidemic Ales in Concord • Ocean View Brew Works in Albany 

El Dorado County

• The Brewery at Lake Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe • Cold Water Brewery and Grill in South Lake Tahoe • Cool Beerwerks in Cool • El Dorado Brewing Company in Diamond Springs • Gold Hill Winery and Brewery in Placerville • HWY 50 Brewery in Camino • Jack Russell Farm Brewery in Camino • Lake Tahoe AleWorX in South Lake Tahoe • Mraz Brewing Company in El Dorado Hills • Outbreak Brewing Company in Placerville • Outpost Brewing Company in South Lake Tahoe • Placerville Brewing Company in Placerville • Sidellis Lake Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe • Solid Ground Brewing in Diamond Springs • South Lake Brewing Company in South Lake Tahoe • Stash Brewing Co. in Garden Valley • Stateline Brewery and Restaurant in South Lake Tahoe 

Fresno County

• The Mad Duck Craft Brewery in Fresno • Fresno Brewing Company in Fresno • Full Circle Brewing in Fresno • Pine & Palm Brewing in Fresno • Tactical OPS Brewing in Fresno • Tioga–Sequoia Brewing Company in Fresno 

Humboldt County

• Eel River Brewing Company in Fortuna • Redwood Curtain Brewing Company in Arcata • Six Rivers Brewery in McKinleyville 

Inyo County

• Mountain Rambler Brewery in Bishop 

Kern County

• Crusader Brewing in Bakersfield • Dionysus Brewing Company in Bakersfield • Great Change Brewing in Bakersfield • Kern River Brewing Company in Kernville • Lengthwise Brewing in Bakersfield • Local Craft Beer in Tehachapi • Temblor Brewing Company in Bakersfield 

Kings County

• Bird Street Brewing in Lemoore • Hop Forged Brewing Company in Hanford 

Lake County

• Kelsey Creek Brewing Company in Kelseyville
• Mount St. Helena Brewing Company in Middletown
• O'Meara Brothers Brewing Company in Lakeport

Los Angeles County

• Absolution Brewing Company in Torrance
• Alosta Brewing Co in Covina
• Ambitious Ales in Los Angeles
• Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles
• Beachwood BBQ and Brewery in Long Beach
• Belmont Brewing Company in Long Beach
• Bravery Brewing in Lancaster
• Brouwerij West in San Pedro
• Congregation Ale House in Azusa
• Cosmic Brewery in Torrance
• Claremont Craft Ales in Claremont
• The Dudes' Brewing Company in Torrance
• Eagle Rock Brewery in Los Angeles
• El Segundo Brewing Company in El Segundo
• Golden Road Brewery in Los Angeles
• Gordon Biersch Brewing Company in Burbank
• Hand-Brewed Beer in Chatsworth
• Homage Brewing in Pomona
• Kinetic Brewing Company in Lancaster
• King Harbor Brewing Company in Redondo Beach
• MacLeod Ale Brewing Company in Los Angeles
• MillerCoors brewery in Irwindale
• Monkish Brewing Company in Torrance
• Mumford Brewing in Los Angeles
• Ohana Brewing Company in Los Angeles
• Pacific Plate Brewing Company in Monrovia
• Progress Brewing in South El Monte
• Red Car Brewery in Torrance
• Skyscraper Brewing Company in El Monte
• Sanctum Brewing Company in Pomona
• Scholb Premium Ales in Torrance
• Strand Brewing Company in Torrance
• Timeless Pints Brewing Company in Lakewoo

Madera County

• South Gate Brewing Company in Oakhurst 

Marin County

• Adobe Creek Brewing in Novato • Indian Valley Brewing in Novato • Iron Springs Pub & Brewery in Fairfax • Marin Brewing in Larkspur • Moylan's Brewery in Novato • Pond Farm Brewing in San Rafael • The State Room in San Rafael 

Mariposa County

• Yosemite Ale Werks in Mariposa 

Merced County

• Bobcat Brewing Company in Merced 

Mono County

• Mammoth Brewing Company in Mammoth Lakes • June Lake Brewing in June Lake 

Monterey County

• Alvarado Street Brewery in Monterey • Cannery Row Brewing Company in Monterey • English Ales in Marina • Peter B's Brew Pub in Monterey • Yeast of Eden in Carmel 

Napa County

• Calistoga Inn, Restaurant and Brewing in Calistoga • Downtown Joe's Brewery in Napa • Mad Fritz in St. Helena • Napa Smith Brewery in Napa • St. Clair Brown in Napa • Tannery Bend Beerworks in Napa • Trade Brewing in Napa 

Nevada County

• FiftyFifty Brewing Company in Truckee • Nevada Brewery in Nevada City • Ol' Republic Brewery in Nevada City • Tahoe Mountain Brewing Company in Truckee • Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Company in Nevada City 

Orange County

• Anaheim Brewery in Anaheim • Barley Forge Brewing Company in Costa Mesa • Brewing Reserve of California in Costa Mesa • Bootlegger's Brewery in Fullerton and Costa Mes • Bottle Logic Brewing, Anaheim • Cismontane Brewing Company in Santa Ana • The Good Beer Company in Santa Ana • Green Cheek Beer Company in Orange • Gunwhale Ales in Costa Mesa • Laguna Beach Beer Company in Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Beach • Left d Brewing Company in San Clemente and Irvine • Network Brewery in Santa Ana • Noble Ale Works in Anaheim • Old Orange Brewing Company in Orange • Riip Beer Company in Huntington Beach • TAPS Brewery & Barrel Room in Tustin • Tustin Brewing Company in Tustin • Valiant Brewing Company in Orange 

Placer County

• Auburn Alehouse in Auburn • Boneshaker Public House and Community Brewery in Rocklin • Crooked Lane Brewing Company in Auburn • GoatHouse Brewing Company in Lincoln • Knee Deep Brewing Company in Auburn • Loomis Basin Brewing Company in Loomis • Moksa Brewing in Rocklin • Moonraker Brewing Company in Auburn • Out of Bounds Brewing Company in Rocklin • Slice Beer Company in Lincoln • The Monk's Cellar in Roseville 

Plumas County

• The Brewing Lair of the Sierra (formerly UnderCover Ale Works) • Waganupa Brewing in Chester • Quintopia Brewing Co in Quincy 

Riverside County

• Aftershock Brewing Company in Temecula • Area 51 Craft Brewery in Riverside • Babe's BBQ & Brewhouse in Rancho Mirage • Black Market Brewing Company in Temecula • Brew Rebellion in Banning • Brewcaipa Brewing in Yucaipa • Coachella Valley Brewing in Thousand Palms • Desert Beer Company in Palm Desert • Electric Brewing Company in Murrieta • Grey Wolf in Norco • Inland Empire Brewing Company in Riverside • Ironfire Brewing Company in Temecula • La Quinta Brewing in Palm Desert • Las Palmas Brewing in Palm Springs • Refuge Brewery in Temecula • Wiens Brewing Company in Temecula • Woody's Brewhouse in Moreno Valley 

Sacramento County

• Alaro Brewing in Sacramento • At Ease Brewing in Sacramento • Big Sexy Brewing in Sacramento • Big Stump Brew Co. in Sacramento • Burning Barrel Brewing in Rancho Cordova • Claimstake Brewing in Rancho Cordova • Delta Borne Brewing in Sacramento • Device Brewing Company in Sacramento • Dreaming Dog Brewery in Elk Grove • Flatland Brewing in Elk Grove • Fort Rock Brewing in Rancho Cordova • Fountainhead Brewing in Sacramento • Hoppy Brewing Co in Sacramento • King Cong Brewing Company in Sacramento • New Glory Craft Brewery in Sacramento • New Helvetia Brewing in Sacramento • Oak Park Brewing in Sacramento • Palm Tree Brewing Company in Orangevale • Porchlight Brewing in Sacramento • Red Bus Brewing in Folsom • River Rock Brewery in Galt • Sacrament Brewing in Sacramento • Tower Brewing in Sacramento • Track 7 Brewing Company in Sacramento • Tilted Mash Brewing in Elk Grove • Urban Roots Brewing in Sacramento 

San Bernardino County

• 3 Iron Brewing Co. in Colton • Brewcaipa in Yucaipa • Desert Barn Brewery in Hesperia • Escape Craft Brewery in Redlands • Hangar 24 Craft Brewery in Redlands • I & I Brewing in Chino • Kings Brewing in Rancho Cucamonga • Oak Hills Brewing Company in Hesperia • Ritual Brewing Co. in Redlands • Rowdy's Brew Co. in Rancho Cucamonga • Sour Cellars in Rancho Cucamonga 

San Francisco City and County

• 21st Amendment Brewery • Barrel Head Brewhouse • Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant • Black Sands Brewery • Black Hammer Brewing • Cellarmaker Brewing Company • Cervezería de MateVeza • Eagle Brewery • Enterprise Brewery • Fort Point Beer Company • Golden City Brewery • Hamm's Brewer • Harmonic Brewing • Hibernia Brewery • Laughing Monk Brewing • Lafayette Brewery • Local Brewing Company • Magnolia Brewing Company • Schuster's Railroad Brewery • Seven Stills • Southern Pacific Brewing • Speakeasy Ales and Lagers • Sunset Reservoir Brewing Company • Thirsty Bear Brewing Company • Triple Voodoo Brewing • Washington Brewery • Willow's Brewery 

San Joaquin County

• Dancing Fox Winery and Brewery in Lodi • Five Window Beer Company in Lodi • High Water Brewing Company in Lodi • Idol Beer Works in Lodi • Lodi Beer Company in Lodi • Morgan Territory Brewing in Tracy 

San Luis Obispo County

• 927 Beer Company in Cambria • BarrelHouse Brewing Co. in Paso Robles • Libertine Brewing Company in San Luis Obispo • Tap It Brewing Company in San Luis Obispo 

San Mateo County

• 47 Hills Brewing in South San Francisco • Alpha Acid Brewing Company in Belmont • Armstrong Brewing Company in South San Francisco • Blue Oak Brewing Company in San Carlos • Devil's Canyon Brewing Company in Belmont • Freewheel Brewing Company in Redwood City • Half Moon Bay Brewing Company in Princeton-by-the-Sea • Highway 1 Brewing in Pescadero • Hop Dogma Brewing in El Granada • Sacrilege Brewery + Kitchen in Half Moon Bay 

Santa Barbara County

• Captain Fatty's Brewery in Goleta • Island Brewing Company in Carpinteria • M. Special Brewing Company in Goleta • Pure Order Brewing Company in Santa Barbara • Solvang Brewing Company in Solvang • Telegraph Brewing Company in Santa Barbara 

Santa Clara County

• Clandestine Brewing in San Jose • El Toro Brewing Company in Morgan Hill • Gordon Biersch Brewing Company in San Jose • Hermitage Brewing Company in San Jose • Kelly Brewing in Morgan Hill 

Santa Cruz County

• Discretion Brewing in Soquel • Humble Sea Brewing Company in Santa Cruz • New Bohemia Brewing Company in Capitola • Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing in Santa Cruz • Sante Adairius Rustic Ales in Capitola • Seabright Brewery in Santa Cruz • Steel Bonnet Brewing Company in Scotts Valley • Uncommon Brewers in Santa Cruz 

Shasta County

• Fall River Brewing Co. in Fall River Mills • Wildcard Brewing in Redding • Final Draft Brewing in Redding • Woody's Brewing Co. in Redding 

Siskiyou County

• Dunsmuir Brewery Works in Dunsmuir • Etna Brewing Company in Etna • Mt. Shasta Brewing Company in Weed • Siskiyou Brew Works 

Solano Countu

• Heretic Brewing Company in Fairfield • Right Eye Brewery in Suisun • Mare Island Brewing Company in Vallejo 

Sonoma County

• Carneros Brewing Company in Sonoma • Fog Belt Brewing Company in Santa Rosa • Moonlight Brewing Company in Santa Rosa • Old Redwood Brewing Company in Windsor • Petaluma Hills Brewing Company in Petaluma • Seismic Brewing Company in Santa Rosa • Sonoma Springs Brewing Company in Sonoma • St. Florian's Brewery in Windsor • Stumptown Brewery in Guerneville • Third Street Aleworks in Santa Rosa 

Stanislaus County

• St. Stan's Brewery in Modesto • Blaker Brewing in Ceres 

Ventura County

• Anacapa Brewing in Ventura • Casa Agria Specialty Ales in Ventura • Enegren Brewing Co. in Moorpark • Flat Fish Brewing Company in Camarillo • Institution Ale Co. in Camarillo • Leashless Brewing Co. in Ventura • MadeWest Brewing in Ventura • Poseidon Brewing Company in Ventura • Red Tandem Brewery in Ventura • Surf Brewery in Ventura • Topa Topa Brewing Company in Ventura • Ventura Coast Brew Co. in Ventura • Westlake Brewing Co. in Westlake Village 

Yolo County

• Bike Dog Brewing Company in West Sacramento • Dunloe Brewing in Davis • Jackrabbit Brewing Company in West Sacramento • Super Owl Brewing in Davis • Three Mile Brewing Company in Davis • Yolo Brewing in West Sacramento 

San Diego County

• Burgeon Beer Company • Carlsbad Brewing Company • Pizza Port • Rouleur Brewing Company • Offbeat Brewing Co • Nickel Beer Company • Bagby Beer Company • Legacy Brewing Company • Breakwater Brewing Co • Oceanside Ale Works • ChuckAlek Independent Brewers • Abnormal Beer Company • Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment • Align Brewing • Amplified Aleworks • The Beer Company • Deft Brewing • Division 23 Brewing • Duck Foot Brewing Company • Eppig Brewing • Fall Brewing • Kilowatt Brewing • Little Miss Brewing • Longship Brewery • Mike Hess Brewing Co. • Mikkeller • Mission Brewery • Modern Times Beer • New English Brewing Co. • North Park Beer Company • O'Sullivan Brother's Brewing • Pacific Beach Alehouse • Pariah Brewing Company • Protector Brewing • Rip Current Brewing • Rough Draft Brewing Company • Saint Archer Brewing • San Diego Brewing Company • Savagewood • Societe Brewing Company • Thorn Street Brewery • Thunderhawk Alements • Lost Abbey • Port Brewing Company • Rip Current Brewing Company • Stumblefoot Brewing Company • Wild Barrel Brewing Company • Aztec Brewing Company • Barrel Harbor Brewing • Belching Beaver Brewery • Booze Brothers Brewing Company • Indian Joe Brewing Company • Latitude 33 Brewing • Mother Earth Brew Co. • Toolbox Brewing 

Culture Brewing Co

MPX Bioceutical Corp. (MPX/MPXEF) - Geographic Footprint and Addressable Markets
https://mpxbioceutical.com/investors/
I wanted to get a better understanding of MPX Bioceutical's U.S. footprint and addressable markets
MPX hasn't updated their investor presentation since November 06, 2017 (Slide 8 for MPX Operations) so I used press releases, old interviews/investor calls, and cursory Google searches.
I suck at formatting so apologies in advance.
Arizona
*MPX Dispensary Distribution: https://imgur.com/Xs3otSd *MPX-Owned Dispensaries: https://imgur.com/bPQutTc *Health for Life Locations *The Holistic Center *Melting Point Extracts - Arizona Locations
Current Market Share in Arizona (March 28, 2018) - 24:12 ~7-8%
MPX Concentrates Dispensary Distribution

1. Health for Life (Crismon) - Mesa, AZ (MPX-Owned) 9949 E Apache Trail, Mesa, AZ 85207 (Opened April 6, 2018)
   
2. Health for Life (East) - Mesa, AZ (MPX-Owned) 7343 S 89th Pl, Mesa, AZ 85212
   
3. Health for Life (North) - Mesa, AZ (MPX-Owned) 5550 E McDowell Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215
   
4. The Holistic Center AZ - Phoeniz, AZ (MPX-Owned) 21035 N Cave Creek Rd C-5, Phoenix, AZ 85024
   
5. Catalina Hills Care - Tucson, AZ 12152 N Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley, AZ 85755
   
6. Green Hills Patient Center - Show Low, AZ 3191 S White Mountain Rd, Show Low, AZ 85901
   
7. High Desert Healing - Lake Havasu, AZ 1691 Industrial Blvd, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
   
8. Kompo - Taylor, AZ 600 Centennial Blvd, Snowflake, AZ 85937
   
9. Leaf Life - Casa Grande, AZ 1860 N Salk Dr B1, Casa Grande, AZ 85122
   
10. Metro Meds - Phoenix, AZ 10040 N Metro Pkwy W, Phoenix, AZ 85051
    
11. OASIS - Chandler, AZ 26427 S Arizona Ave #8223, Chandler, AZ 85248
    
12. The Good Dispensary - Mesa, AZ 1842 W Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202
    
13. The Mint Dispensary - Tempe, AZ 5210 S Priest Dr, Tempe, AZ 85283
    
14. The Prime Leaf - Tucson, AZ 4220 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712
    
15. Uncle Herbs Dispensary - Payson, AZ 200 N Tonto St, Payson, AZ 85541
    
16. Urban Greenhouse - Phoenix, AZ 2630 W Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017
    
17. Yavapai Herbal Services - Cottonwood, AZ 675 E State Route 89A Cottonwood, AZ 86326
    
18. Botanica - Tucson, AZ 6205 N Travel Center Drive Tucson, AZ 85741
    

Relocated Production Facility: North Mesa, AZ
Annual Capacity
*Phase One - 150,000 grams of MPX-branded products (Currently in Operation) *Phase Two - 400,000+ grams (Scheduled for completion in calendar Q3 2018) *Phase Three - 800,000+ grams (Schedule for completion in calendar Q4 2018)
New production facility will increase production capacity 2-4x: 11:31 , 25:11

• March 28, 2018 - MPX Bioceutical Q3 Investor Call: March 28, 2018(title says March 8 but at 1:44 he says March 28, 2018)
  
• January 31, 2018 - Beth Stavola MPX Bioceuticals Interview with New Cannabis Ventures - 4:12 - "the largest production facility, production laboratory in the state of Arizona"
  

March 05, 2018 - MPX Signs Definitive Agreement to Expand Its Footprint in Arizona -

• “This acquisition represents a solid addition to our industry and presence in Arizona, a State that offers MPX one of the best-regulated, yet industry-supportive markets in the country,” said W. Scott Boyes, MPX’s Chairman, President and CEO. “The entities being acquired have recorded trailing 12-month revenues of US$15 million and EBITDA of approximately US$3.5 million and its results will be immediately accretive to MPX earnings. Furthermore, the acquired companies are well-managed and will allow both parties to share best practises and benefit from the ability to share purchase economies. With the pending opening of our Apache Junction dispensary, the addition of the Holistic Center, will bring the number of dispensaries managed by MPX in the greater Phoenix market to four, will more than double our cultivation capacity and will materially complement our management team in the State. Adding to our critical mass of operations, this acquisition will add to MPX’s ability to benefit from purchasing economies, spread the administrative overhead costs over a larger revenue base and provide cash flows to support additional growth.”

April 03, 2018 - Mpx Enjoys Record Monthly Revenue of Cdn$5.2 Million in Arizona

• Beth Stavola, COO and President of MPX’s U.S. operations, adds “With our fourth dispensary opening soon in the Apache Junction suburb and our expanded concentrate production facilities coming on-stream this month, we expect to see our Arizona revenues continue to expand over the next several fiscal quarters. The Arizona program is well-regulated by AZDHS, the patient count continues to grow, the supply and cost of flower and trim for re-sale and concentrate production is excellent and, while the Phoenix area market is increasingly competitive, retail prices and margins remain attractive. This is a great state for MPX to conduct business in.”

April 09, 2018 - MPX Adds a Fourth Dispensary in Phoenix and Triples Capacity for MPX Concentrate Production in Arizona

TORONTO, April 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MPX Bioceutical Corporation (“MPX” or the “Company”) (CSE:MPX) (OTC:MPXEF) is pleased to announce that the official opening of the its newest “Health for Life” medical marijuana dispensary in the Metropolitan Phoenix area, located at the junction of E. Main and Crimson in the suburb of Apache Junction. This brings the number of dispensaries under MPX management in Arizona’s Sun Valley to four. The Crimson dispensary will meet the needs of patients in this comparatively underserviced southeast quadrant of the region by making available the full spectrum of MPX concentrates, an extensive variety of cannabis flower, and a broad selection of 3rd party, processed cannabis-infused edibles.
The Company also announces that it has relocated the processing and production of MPX concentrates to a new location in North Mesa. Phase one of the build-out at this facility, now in operation, will immediately double the current production capacity of MPX-branded products in Arizona to approximately 150,000 grams annually. The second phase scheduled for completion early in calendar Q3 will increase potential production to over 400,000 grams per year and the final phase expected in calendar Q4 will result in annualized capacity increasing to a total in excess of 800,000 grams annually with a wholesale value (at current prices) of approximately US$18 million.

Arizona Medical Marijuana Patient Numbers:
*- 152,979 (Current through 12/31/17)
*- 162,528 (March 2018) , Reports
Arizona is the 14th most populous state - 7,016,270 (Population estimate, July 1, 2017)
Phoenix is the fifth most populated city
Population: 1,615,017 (2016 estimate) , U.S. Census Bureau , World Population Review
Nevada
*MPX Dispensary Distribution (Nevada): https://imgur.com/l3SoaWl *MPX Dispensary Distribution (Las Vegas, Nevada): https://imgur.com/J9rM7JU *(Greenmart of Nevada - Where To Find Us) *[(Acquired October 13, 2017](https://www.newcannabisventures.com/bcc-finalizes-17-8mm-greenmart-nevada-cannabis-producer-purchase/

• January 31, 2018 - 4:27 - 30,000 sq. ft. cultivation and laboratory for MPX concentrates
  
• March 28, 2018 - 11:46
  

In Nevada, our production capacity has been limited by the availability of raw material, of biomass. And most of our product produced there has been sold 2-3 weeks in advance.

MPX Dispensary Distribution *Melting Point Extracts - Nevada Locations *(Greenmart of Nevada - Where To Find Us)

1. Acres Cannabis - Las Vegas, NV 2320 Western Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
   
2. Black Jack Collective Delivery - Las Vegas, NV 1860 Western Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
   
3. Blum - Reno, NV 1085 S. Virginia St. Suite A Reno, NV 89502
   
4. Blum Western - Las Vegas, NV 1921 Western Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
   
5. Blum Decatur - Las Vegas, NV 3650 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
   
6. Blum Desert Inn - Las Vegas, NV 1130 E Desert Inn Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
   
7. Canopi (Southwest) - Las Vegas, NV 6540 Blue Diamond Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89139
   
8. Cannacopia - Las Vegas, NV 6332 S Rainbow Blvd #105, Las Vegas, NV 89118
   
9. Deep Roots Harvest - Mesquite, NV 195 Willis Carrier Canyon, Mesquite, NV 89034
   
10. Essence (Henderson) - Henderson, NV 4300 E. Sunset Road Suite A3 Henderson, NV 89014
    
11. Essence (Las Vegas Strip) - Las Vegas, NV 2307 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104
    
12. Essence (West) - Las Vegas, NV 5765 W Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103
    
13. Euphoria Wellness, Las Vegas, NV 7780 S Jones Blvd, Ste 105 Las Vegas, NV 89139-6489
    
14. Inyo Fine Cannabis - Las Vegas, NV 2520 S Maryland Pkwy #2, Las Vegas, NV 89109
    
15. Jardin - Las Vegas, NV 2900 E Desert Inn Rd #102, Las Vegas, NV 89121
    
16. Jenny's Dispensary (North Las Vegas) - North Las Vegas, NV 5530 N Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89130
    
17. Jenny's Dispensary (Henderson) - Henderson, NV 10420 S Eastern Ave, Henderson, NV 89052
    
18. Las Vegas Releaf - Las Vegas, NV 2244 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89104
    
19. Nevada Wellness Center - Las Vegas, NV 3200 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102
    
20. NuLeaf (Lake Tahoe) - Lake Tahoe, NV 877 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451
    
21. NuLeaf (Las Vegas) - Las Vegas, NV 430 E Twain Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169
    
22. Oasis Cannabis - Las Vegas, NV 1800 Industrial Rd #180, Las Vegas, NV 89102
    
23. Reef Western - Las Vegas, NV 3400 Western Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89109
    
24. Rise Dispensary - Carson City, NV 135 E Clearview Dr #119, Carson City, NV 89701
    
25. Sierra Wellness Connection (Reno) - Reno, NV 1605 E 2nd St #103, Reno, NV 89502
    
26. Sierra Wellness Connection (Carson City) - Carson City, NV 2765 US Highway 50E Carson City, NV 89701
    
27. Silver Sage Wellness - Las Vegas, NV 4626 W Charleston Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89102
    
28. The Apothecarium - Las Vegas, NV 7885 W. Sahara Ave #112 Las Vegas, NV 89117
    
29. The Apothecary Shoppe - Las Vegas, NV 4240 W. Flamingo Rd. No. 100 Las Vegas, NV 89103
    
30. The Dispensary (Decatur) - Las Vegas, NV 5347 S. Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89118
    
31. The Dispensary (Henderson) - Henderson, NV 50 N Gibson Rd #170, Henderson, NV 89014
    
32. The Dispensary (Reno) - Reno, NV 100 W. Plumb Lane Reno, NV 89509
    
33. The Grove - Las Vegas, NV 4647 Swenson Street Las Vegas, NV 89119
    
34. The Source (Henderson) - Henderson, NV 9480 S Eastern Ave #185, Las Vegas, NV 89123
    
35. The Source (Las Vegas) - Las Vegas, NV 2550 S Rainbow Blvd #8, Las Vegas, NV 89146
    
36. Thrive (Downtown) - Las Vegas, NV 1112 S Commerce St, Las Vegas, NV 89102
    
37. Thrive (North Las Vegas) - Las Vegas, NV 2755 W Cheyenne Ave #103, North Las Vegas, NV 89032
    
38. Top Notch THC - Las Vegas, NV 5630 Stephanie St, Las Vegas, NV 89122
    
39. Zen Leaf - Las Vegas, NV 9120 W Post Rd #103, Las Vegas, NV 89148
    

Population: 2,998,039 (Population estimate, July 1, 2017
U.S. Census Bureau
Nevada Medical Marijuana Patient Numbers:
*- 23,489 (Current through 12/31/17)
*- 21,759 (February 2018) , Reports
Nevada is the 34th most populous state - 2,998,039 (Population estimate, July 1, 2017)
Las Vegas is the 28th-most populated city
Population: 632.912 (2016 estimate) , U.S. Census Bureau , World Population Review
Las Vegas Tourism
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority - Las Vegas Visitor Statistics *- Year End Summary for 2017: 42,214,200 *- Year-to-Date Summary 2018 (As of Apr 20, 2018) - 10,274,100
Massachusetts
*MPX Dispensary Distribution (Massachusetts): https://imgur.com/pIN0pAA
*MPX Dispensary Distribution (New England): https://imgur.com/wk3e4Hs

• Dispensaries 2 of 3 dispensaries disclosed: Fall River, Attleborough
  
• Production Facility: Fall River, MA (40,000 - 50,000 sq. ft. cultivation and production facility)
  
• Dispensaries: 3 (Approved for building, 1 in Fall River, 1 in Attleborough, 1 still being targeted)
  
• 3rd dispensary targets:
  

• October 14, 2017 - 34:08 - Near Wynn Casino, 34:50 - Third dispensary target: "Near Revere, not right in the city itself"
  
• January 31, 2018 - 6:13 - "Right now we are searching for third location. We've got a number of really good prospects there."
  
• March 28, 2018 - 16:29 - "I think we're pretty close on number three. It is a great location and I'm gonna refrain from mentioning the town but it's a great population."
  

• 1 Production Facility on Innovation Way in Fall River, "next door to Amazon and Mass Biologics."
  
• Using Mass Biologics's address as a marker: 1240 Innovation Way, Fall River, MA 02720
  

MPX-owned Dispensaries

1. Cannatech Medicinals, Inc.,- Fall River 160 Hartwell St, Fall River, MA 02721 (Under construction) April 11, 2018 - Patch.com
   
2. Cannatech Medicinals, Inc.,- Attoboro 220 Oneil Blvd, Attleboro, MA 02703 (Under construction)
   

• January 19, 2018
  
• January 31, 2018 - 6:00
  

• April 6, 2017 - Local medical marijuana company sells part of operation to Canadian firm

The company, which is building a facility to grow and process marijuana for medicine, sold 51 percent of its real estate and management companies to The Canadian Bioceutical Corp., for $5.1 million. The agreement was announced Tuesday.
The company is in the process of building a 50,000-square-foot facility on Innovation Way, next door to Amazon and Mass Biologics, the medical research and testing facility run by the University of Massachusetts.

• June 15, 2017 - BCC Completes Massachusetts Transaction

• TORONTO, Ontario, June 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Bioceutical Corporation (the “Company” or “BCC”) (CSE:BCC) (OTC:CBICF) today announced that further to its press release of April 4, 2017, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary CGX Life Sciences, Inc. (CGX), has completed the acquisition of a 51% interest in IMT, LLC and Fall River Developments, LLC (“FRD”), Massachusetts registered companies active in the cannabis space.

• January 31, 2018 - Beth Stavola MPX Bioceuticals Interview with New Cannabis Ventures - 5:22
  
• February 27, 2018 - Midas Letter - MPX Bioceutical Updates their Aggressive USA Expansion Activities
  
• March 07, 2018 - MPX Bioceutical Corp announces scheduled opening of Fall River Innovation Way facility
  

The marijuana industry has become a popular spot for Fall River.
According to MPX Bioceutical Corp, construction of a 40,000 square foot marijuana cultivation/processing facility on Innovation Way in Fall River, Massachusetts is targeted to be complete in the summer of this year with cultivation beginning in the third quarter of 2018. Cannatech Medicinals, who is owned by MPX Bioceutical Corp, has been working on the facility next to Amazon.
They have also commenced construction on the first of three dispensaries in Massachusetts, including one at 160 Hartwell Street in Fall River near the Applebee’s restaurant. The Hartwell Street location will get their supply from the Innovation Way facility.

• March 28, 2018 - MPX Bioceutical Q3 Investor Call: March 28, 2018 - 16:17 - Fall River and Attleborough still under construction
  
• April 17, 2018 - Mass. Selects First 20 Recreational Dispensaries for Expedited Review
  
• April 25, 2018 - 3 Fall River medical marijuana firms eye recreational sales too
  

CannaTech Medicinals; Hope, Heal, Health; and Northeast Alternatives will all be in the running for licenses to grow and sell marijuana for the recreational market. Recreational sales are scheduled to start July 1.
CannaTech Medicinals is building a 50,000-square-foot growing facility and processing laboratory in the biopark on Innovation Way. It is also building a dispensary off Hartwell Street.

Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Patient Numbers:
*- 45,505 (Current through 12/31/17)
*- 48,265 - (March 31 2018) - Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program snapshot
Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program snapshot

• Under "RMD information", the current status of all registered marijuana dispensaries and applicants through April 27 2018 - Entries #35-37 - Cannatech Medicinals, Inc.:

*- Only two of three have "Proposed Dispensary Locations" (Fall River, Attleboro)
*- No siting profile has been submitted for the third dispensary yet, invited to submit on December 12, 2017 (same date as Attleboro)

• Mass.gov - Medical Use of Marijuana Program
  
• Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program: External DashBoard - March 2018'
  

Massachusetts is the 15th most populous state

• 6,859,819 [(Population estimate, July 1, 2017)]Ihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_population] , U.S. Census Bureau ,
  
• 6,895,917 World Population Review
  

Boston is the 22nd most populated city in the U.S. and most populated in New England
Population: 673,184 (2016 estimate) , U.S. Census Bureau ,
Not to mention the populations from surrounding states and tourism.

• October 14, 2017 - 33:41 - 26 million population in surrounding states
  
• May 2018 - 13.2 million people reside within 150 miles of Boston. (iAnthus Capital - May Presentation - Slide 22)
  
• 2010 Census Results - U.S. & Puerto - Population Density
  

Maryland
*- Managing dispensaries under Health for Life brand
*- MPX-Owned Dispensary Distribution (Maryland): https://imgur.com/KrcT0g4
*- Melting Point Extracts - Maryland Locations (None available yet)

• Dispensaries: 3 (2 in Baltimore County, 1 in Bethesda)
  
• Production Facility: Gaithersburg, MD - "to feature our MPX concentrates brand" - Production Capacity: 825,000 grams
  
• January 31, 2018 - Beth Stavola MPX Bioceuticals Interview with New Cannabis Ventures - 4:45
  

From the press releases below, I gather:

• 1 production facility in Gaithersburg/Montgomery Country (through Rosebud Organics/Budding Rose, Inc.) (January 8, 2018) - No square footage provided. However,

• January 08, 2018 - The facility is completely built-out and when fully operational will be capable of producing 825,000 grams of MPX-branded cannabis concentrates per annum.

• 1 dispensary in the White Marsh suburb in Baltimore, Maryland (through LMS Wellness, Benefit LLC) (December 12, 2017) - No specific address found
  
• 1 dispensary in close proximity to the Walter Reed Military Medical Center and National Institutes of Health - Bethesda, Maryland (through Rosebud Organics/Budding Rose) (January 8, 2018)
  

*- Possibly at: 4909 Fairmont Ave Bethesda, MD 20814

• 1 dispensary off North Point Road in Colgate, Baltimore, Maryland (through GreenMart of Maryland) (January 31, 2018) (No specific address found)
  
• Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission: Dispensary Information - Licensed Dispensaries (As of April 10, 2018) - Nothing yet licensed for any of their Maryland subsidiaries
  
• Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission: Cannabis Industry Information)
  

*- Under "Pre-Approved Dispensaries": GreenMart of Maryland (District 6: Baltimore County)
*- Under "Pre-Approved Dispensaries": LMS Wellness BLLC (District 8: Baltimore County)
*- Under "Pre-Approved Dispensaries": Budding Rose, LLC (District 16: Montgomery County)
*- Under "Licensed Processors (as of April 10, 2018): Rosebud Organics LLC (Montgomery County)
*- Under "Pre-Approved Processors": Rosebud Organics, LLC (Montgomery County)

• Maryland MDMDA Member Dispensaries -

I'm guessing that they will be selling MPX concentrates through these dispensaries as they have done in Arizona and Nevada once their production facility is operational. I'll wait for the press release and theMelting Point Extracts site to update before factoring that into their footprint.

• December 12, 2017 - MPX Enters Into Management & Purchase Option Agreements With LMS Wellness, Benefit LLC in Baltimore Maryland

• MPX Bioceutical Corporation (the “Company” or “MPX”) (CSE:MPX) (OTC:MPXEF) today announced that the Company, through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, S8 Management, LLC (“S8 Management”), is entering into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with LMS Wellness, Benefit LLC (“LMS”) which will result in MPX building and managing a full service medical cannabis dispensary in the White Marsh suburb of Baltimore, Maryland.

• December 15, 2017 - Medical Marijuana Dispensary To Open in Downtown Bethesda

Photo caption: A medical marijuana company has signed a lease for the space at 4909 Fairmont Ave., next to the mural.
A medical marijuana dispensary is coming to a long-dormant space on Fairmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda.
Rich Greenberg, of Greenhill Capital, which owns the building, said Budding Rose LLC signed the lease for the roughly 1,900-square-foot space about six months ago. He said work is ongoing to fit out the interior to meet the dispensary’s needs, and he wasn’t sure when the shop would be ready to open.

• January 8, 2018 - MPX Expands Cannabis Operations in Maryland

The management agreements with Budding Rose and Rosebud will result in MPX subsidiaries now operating three medical cannabis enterprises in the State of Maryland. The first management agreement with LMS Wellness, Benefit LLC was announced on December 12, 2017. Rosebud is one of only 14 licenses issued to process cannabis derivatives in the State of Maryland. The facility is completely built-out and when fully operational will be capable of producing 825,000 grams of MPX-branded cannabis concentrates per annum.
Budding Rose will operate a dispensary in a high-traffic area of downtown Bethesda, Maryland, in close proximity to the Walter Reed Military Medical Center and National Institutes of Health. Bethesda, Maryland is located within the Capital Beltway and is one of the wealthiest communities in the Capital Region. The dispensary is currently under construction and is expected to be operational in late February of this year.

• January 31, 2018 - MPX Enters Into Management and Option Agreement with Dispensary in Baltimore, Maryland

GreenMart will operate a dispensary, under the “Health for Life” brand, in a high-traffic area of Baltimore, Maryland, situated off of North Point Road in the community of Colgate. The location is conveniently located near Interstate Routes 695, 95 and US Route 40 and a 15-minute drive from Baltimore’s Inner Harbour, Canton Waterfront, Federal Hill, and Fells Point. Within 2 miles of the location sits Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, a teaching hospital within the world renowned John Hopkins Health System. GreenMart has been welcomed and supported by the community leaders of Colgate. The dispensary is currently under construction and is expected to be operational in April 2018 of this year.

Maryland Medical Marijuana Patient Numbers:
*- 18,000+ (Current through 12/15/17)
*- 17,000+ (March 20, 2018)

• More than 17,000 consumers in Maryland have registered for medical marijuana.

• Reports - Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission - I couldn't find any patient statistics reports on this site.

Maryland is the 19th most populated state - 6,052,177 (Population estimate, July 1, 2017) , U.S. Census Bureau
Baltimore is the 30th most populated city
Population: 614,664 (2016 estimate) , U.S. Census Bureau , World Population Review
Training/staffing/spreading themselves too thin:
*- March 28, 2018 - 25:56
Future Targets *- January 31, 2018 - 10:03 *- November 2017 Presentation: Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio
California *- March 28, 2018 - March MPX Bioceutical Q3 Investor Call: March 8, 2018 California 15:53, 33:45
Ohio *- March 28, 2018 - 14:32 - Five applications in Ohio.
New Jersey
*- January 25, 2018 - Beth Stavola, MPX COO is invited by NJ Governor Murphy as a Marijuana Industry Leader during the signing of an executive order which would ease access to medical marijuana in the State.
*- 1:14 - "Beth, this one is for you. You represent not just you but the whole industry"
*- January 31, 2018 - [Beth Stavola MPX Bioceuticals Interview with New Cannabis Ventures - 10:14](https://youtu.be/Mffwj_sP7T0?t=10m14s]
*- March 28, 2018 - 14:54
Keep in mind they're in only four states right now and currently operating in two. There are other U.S operators with multi-state footprints (IAN, CRZ, LHS, MRMD, etc.).
A few private players:
*1) Acreage Holdings - 11 States,
*2) Columbia Care - 9 States + D.C and Puerto Rico,
*3) Green Thumb Industries (GTI) - 5 States,
*4) Cresco Labs - 4 States.
Also, there are the other companies with agreements/operations in both the U.S. and Canada (CRZ, SNN).
Once their RTO (April 30, 2018) is completed, MedMen will have the highest addressable market of the publicly traded U.S. operators (CA - 39.5 million, NY - 19.8 million, NV - 2.9 million, Canada - 35 million through their JV with Cronos). Not too mention the number of visitors each of those markets get annually.
That being said, of the current public companies, I think they give good multi-state exposure in the U.S. in markets with high population density](https://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/thematic/us_popdensity_2010map.pdf). This doesn't even factoring their Canadian exposure once they get operating. We'll see where they stand in the U.S. market if they're able to execute on the Massachusetts, Maryland, and Canadian operations. Also, remember they're pushing the MPX concentrates brand and are set to get exposure on both coasts.
I can't speak on their capital structure or financials. Some other users can discuss that.
TLDR
Arizona - Operating
*- MPX Dispensary Distribution: https://imgur.com/Xs3otSd
*- MPX-Owned Dispensaries: https://imgur.com/bPQutTc
Nevada - Operating
*- MPX Dispensary Distribution (Nevada): https://imgur.com/l3SoaWl
*- MPX Dispensary Distribution (Las Vegas, Nevada): https://imgur.com/J9rM7JU
Massachusetts - Building/Not currently operating
*- MPX Dispensary Distribution (Massachusetts): https://imgur.com/pIN0pAA
*- MPX Dispensary Distribution (New England): https://imgur.com/wk3e4Hs
Maryland - Building/Not currently operating
*- MPX-Owned Dispensary Distribution (Maryland): https://imgur.com/KrcT0g4

It'll be HUGE.
How huge? It'll have the biggest map in the series, encompassing the whole state of San Andreas (including Los Santos, San Fierro, Las Venturas, and a new city called San Joseph, based on San Jose), with locations you can access by taking a plane to, including Liberty City, Vice City, Carcer City, North Yankton, even locations north and south of the border.
This time, there will be SIX protagonists, these being Michael, Franklin, Trevor, Niko, Taliana Martinez, and an aged, HD Universe version of Tommy Vercetti.
We'll also find out what has happened since GTA V:

• The De Santa family has become a crime family, with Michael as the head, Amanda as the accountant, Tracey as the legal front, and Jimmy as the specialist. They still live in their mansion in the Rockford Hills, still keep in contact with Dave and Lester, and are all happy. In fact, Michael is now contracted by the FIB and IAA to carry out false flag terrorism so the government can justify some new law or new war overseas. He also works for Trevor Philips Enterprises, using his new boat he bought as a coastal tramper to move drugs and guns by sea. Michael also still works in the movies with Solomon,
• Franklin is now married to Ursula (the hitch hiker in V), having bonded over family issues, and works for Trevor Philips Enterprises smuggling illicit goods to and from the Port of Los Santos; these goods range from drugs and guns, to more minor things like bootleg films and games or even just regular, legal goods. Franklin still lives at 3671 Whispymound Drive, but has since vastly expanded it. Franklin has also managed to finally get along with Denise, due to bonding over street racing (Denise was quite the racer in her day).
• Trevor has become the sole provider of drugs in Los Santos and Blaine County, and is now looking to expand to San Fierro and Las Venturas. He'll have to deal with the various Chinese and Vietnamese gangs in San Fierro, and the mobster families in Las Venturas, but he's ready. In addition, Trevor also deals in other goods now, including meat-packing (alongside Cletus), bounty-hunting, scrap metal, and of course, still owns the Vanilla Unicorn (and poor Wade is still there). Trevor still lives in his trailer in Sandy Shores, still has Ron as his next door neighbor and second-in-command, and now has Patricia Madrazo living with him, after Martin abused her one too many times.
• Niko went off the radar, but never actually stopped his life of crime. Making connections in Carcer City, Bellic Enterprises is now a front for a massive criminal organization. But after the IAA basically rooted out his operations in Carcer, and finding out Karen masterminded it, Niko gets Lester's help and tracks her down to Los Santos. Dragging Roman, Mallorie, and their daughter Kate with him, and praying there are no bowling alleys there, Niko sets out not only expand Bellic Enterprises, but get revenge on Karen for not only leading him on as Michelle, but also destroying everything he had worked to build in Carcer.
• After the Union Depository job, Taliana was rich beyond her wildest dreams. Rather than retire, though, she went further, creating her own criminal organization friendly to Trevor Philips Enterprises specializing in boosting, modifying, and reselling cars. This operation has been quite profitable, and she plans to expand to San Joseph, where smug, condescending tech people live with cars she can quickly flip. She's also constantly tangling with the US government, who want to deport her to Mexico even though she's a legal citizen
• Tommy Vercetti is a washed-up crime boss. After the massive success of the Vercetti Gang in the late 80s, he was run out of Vice City by Wei Cheng Sr. After learning of the death of Cheng, Tommy decided it was time to get back into the game, establishing a foothold on Carcer City in the wake of the IAA operation that drove out Bellic Enterprises, with the ultimate goal of getting back to Vice City.

We also get to see how the NPCs are doing:

• Dave is still head of the FIB, and still hosts Underbelly of Paradise, but is also involved with false flag terrorism via Michael.
• Lester was able to bribe Humane Research Labs to uncover the cure for cancer, which the government had ordered them to withold for "population control" reasons, also uncovering a procedure that cured his wasting disease. He is still heavily involved with Trevor Philips Enterprises, and is now lining up jobs to rob big targets, such as Maze, Pacific Standard (having had alot of experience and backdoors left over from the job pulled in 2013), every Fleeca branch in the state, and even every single casino in Las Venturas, one by one.
• Lamar is still the same-old Leeroy Jenkins, with that Apache blood
• Tonya got clean, but JB never did; both were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide
• Tanisha realized that her brain surgeon husband was merely using her as a trophy wife, so she divorced his ass and tried to go back to Franklin, but by then, he was married to Ursula; she will stalk Franklin throughout the game, and you have the choice of either letting it continue, chewing her out, or simply putting a bullet in her head
• The Families are planning to retake Grove Street from the Ballas, with guns bought from Trevor
• The Yellow Jacket Inn is no more; after Trevor was banned again, he did what he does best and burned it to the ground
• Johnny K. is revealed to still be alive, but extremely pissed off at Trevor; he serves as one of the principal antagonists as he and the Lost MC wage war on Trevor Philips Industries across Blaine County, a war the police are powerless to stop, and escalates once TPI takes over Fort Zancudo, thus dragging the US Army into a domestic conflict they rightfully want no part in
• Simeon Yetarian does not canonically die, and he returns as the main antagonist for Taliana, as her racket in San Joseph directly competes with his new credit fraud
• Tao Cheng is now the head of his late father's criminal empire; he's still an x-nut, but now dangerously so, and he has it out for Trevor, while also being targeted by Tommy

So, to recap:

• Protagonists: Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, Trevor Philips, Taliana Martinez, Niko Bellic, Tommy Vercetti
• Antagonists: Karen Daniels, Johnny Klebitz, Tao Cheng, Simeon Yetarian
• Cities: Los Santos, San Fierro, Las Venturas, San Joseph, Liberty City, Vice City
• Rural areas: Blaine County, Bone County, Angel County, a Lake Tahoe analogue, North Yankton, Florida Everglades

So, whaddaya think?

OK, so bear with me because I'm not the greatest with formatting. But I'll try my best!
As the title suggests, I posted some photos of the first week and a bit of a 6 month solo road trip I am currently undertaking around the USA and parts of Canada. They were received relatively well, and some people asked if I could do some updates along the way. So here's the first one and hopefully it can inspire some people to do similar!
Why?
Firstly, some background on the trip. Around about 4-5 years ago I had a pretty shitty bout with anxiety and depression. This isn't a sob story so don't feel bad for me, I'm actually quite good now. But anyway, after a few trips to a Psychologist, we both decided that it would be a good idea to set a goal that would actually get me through the days. As a university student coming to the end of my degree, starting work didn't really excite me.
So after some deliberation it was decided the only thing that excited me was travel, and no matter what type of work I got upon graduation, I would do it for about 2-3 years and save everything to put towards a 6 month road trip across North America. I actually studied American History at uni, so obviously that's what drew me here. More topical to current events, I actually took a lot of inspiration from Anthony Bourdain. Sounds made up now, but RIP.
Where?
I started planning this trip as soon as the decision was made. So if you're wondering why things are so detailed, that's probably why. Originally a lot was focussed around things with historical significance, like American Revolutionary sites, or Civil War Memorial, etc. But I've also always had a love for nature and hiking so that's where the National/State/Regional Parks come into play.
Then the love of food travel shows started to seep in. Anthony Bourdain being the main one, then a bit sillier shows like Man Vs. Food, and yes, even Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives played a role, for as much shit that Guy Fieri (deservedly) cops here. This drew me to certain cities.
I had already done a 5 week trip to the USA in 2013/14 for Christmas and NYE where I hit the main touristy spots like NYC, Vegas, LA, etc. So this trip was to focus more on the small towns, national parks, and open road.
When?
My previous trip was over Winter, so this trip had to be warmer weathegreener pastures. Originally planning to start in June, it just so happened that a sale popped up around January for return flights from Melbourne to LAX for AU$850 leaving in May and returning in November. Too good not to pass up and not that far from what I had planned anyway. Only problem is I cut it a little short because my cousin is getting married on November 10th and I couldn't miss it, so I arrive back in Melbourne the morning of... Cutting it fine, I know.
Itinerary
Now to the stuff that people will probably actually care about. My general direction that I'm heading in is a loop from LA, back to LA. That was the best looking map I could make out, but it gives you the idea. The good thing is I only have things booked about a week in advance at this stage, so it's more a 'rough' itinerary than anything.
I arrived in the country on May 20th and have a ticket home on November 8th. It was best to have a return ticket because otherwise those border guards will be on your back and you put yourself at risk of getting turned back at the airport.
May 20th - June 8th
So now to the actual good stuff, with pictures and all! Going through each place I've been, what I enjoyed there and recommendations. This will probably be the way each subsequent post will be set out, if I commit to doing them (which I have a tendency to be terrible with commitment).
Los Angeles, CA. 20/05 - 21/05:
OK, now when I say Los Angeles, I didn't actually spend any time in LA outside of the Airport. I got my car and took it straight to a place called Santa Paula, CA. I've been to LA before, spent about a week there, did everything touristy, and didn't particularly enjoy it. Not to say others wouldn't find it enjoyable, just not for me. Santa Paula itself isn't much to write about, but the drive from Santa Paul to Fresno had some cool parts.

• Took the coastal route to Santa Barbara, up to San Luis Obispo, and on to Fresno
• Santa Barbara is a pretty expensive beach town with million dollar houses in the hills looking over the coast. I didn't spend long here but I did take a stroll through Paseo Nuevo, an outdoor mall which has a pretty cool Spanish vibe to it. Bought some US$150 Ray Bans here and then subsequently left them on a tram in San Francisco days later... nice

Fresno, CA. 21/05 - 23/05:
Now I know what you're thinking, "Who the hell would go to Fresno?" I say this, because basically everyone I encountered in Fresno asked me that question. I went because it was a good base to explore the Sierra National Forest. Can't say much about Fresno, though. Also, a little side note, I'm not that proud of my photos early on. Everything is shot with my iPhone and it's taking me a little time to figure out how to get the best shot. Still in the process.

• Driving from Fresno to Lakeshore, my first stop was at Shaver Lake. Not sure if the depleted water levels are from the drought, but wouldn't be surprised. The drive through pine forest was pretty good to this point, but got better as you got further into the forest.
• A short hike to Rancheria Fall was definitely the highlight of the day. It started raining on me whilst walking to the falls, but by the time I was there it was hard to tell if it was rain or spray from the falls.
• On the way back I stopped in Shaver Lake Village for a veggie burger at Shaver Coffee & Deli. Friendly service and a good burger, can't complain

Santa Cruz, CA. 23/05 - 26/05:
Originally, I wanted to stay in Monterey for this portion. However, everything was either way too expensive or booked out, so I settled for Santa Cruz. Or more specifically, Felton, which is out the back of Santa Cruz. I was happy with the decision.

• I was staying right near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, which had 100+ year old Redwoods everywhere and also a cool floor of clovers Funny story about the park, its namesake was actually an industrialist who cut down the majority of the original redwoods for profit. After he died the govt wanted to buy the land to preserve the forest, so the family agreed on condition it was named after him. A preservation park named after a guy who did the complete opposite
• Big Sur is where it's at. The coast drive is phenomenal. I believe there were landslides recently so I could only really make it to Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park, but that was enough
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park backed up what Big Sur started. Just walking along the river was an experience in itself. And yes, the water was that cleablue.
• Monterey was mostly on the list for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. More specifically, the otters. My photos/videos are terrible, but they are freaking adorable

Sausalito/San Francisco, CA. 26/05 - 29/05:
I stayed in a hostel across the Golden Gate Bridge which I believe fell under Sausalito, but was in the Marin Headlands. I'd been to San Francisco previously so didn't feel the need to spend all my time in the city. I would park on the outskirts and catch the BART to downtown.

• I'm a big fan of Sausalito. Something about the town itself has a really nice vibe to it and they have fantastic views back on the city. I had a nice dinner at Poggio Trattoria, which was probably a bit upscale for me but was super nice. Also enjoyed a beer at No Name Bar with a local who had retired and filled in as a bar tender. We watched one of the Golden State finals, good fun.
• Onto the city itself. Most of the things I did were touristy. If you're not into crowds I would stay away from Pier 39. That was in May, remember. I can only imagine what July/August would be like. But it was pretty cool to see the sea lions at the pier.
• I made my way up Coit Tower, which had some pretty amazing views of the city. Again, though, if lines aren't your thing I'd recommend not coming here. Probably waited around 40 mins to get up there for a total of 5 mins. I was fine with it, but can imagine not everyone would be.
• I originally wanted to see a San Francisco Giants Baseball game, however they weren't playing. So I went across to Oakland to see the Athletics play. I don't know much about Baseball, but I'm an A's fan now.
• And of course, how could I forget the good old Golden Gate Bridge?!. It might just be a bridge, but it is pretty incredible close up. Also the little spot that GIF is from is a nice viewing platform away from the crowds.

Lake Tahoe, CA. 29/05 - 31/05:
I didn't know how I was going to like Lake Tahoe, because having Nevada there and casinos around I thought it might be a little much for me. Can confirm, it's a lovely spot that far exceeded expectations.

• The drive in from San Francisco alone was enough to get me excited for Lake Tahoe
• Emerald Bay has to be at the top of your list if you are going to Lake Tahoe. From above or below, you really can't go wrong.
• Driving from Lake Tahoe to Redding I went the scenic route and stopped at Truckee, CA. It allowed me to take the lovely drive along the river out, and then through the rest of Tahoe National Forest as well. In Truckee I ate at Coffee And, which was a classic little diner with a lovely waitress and homestyle food. Exactly what I want in a small American town.
• Also stopped briefly at Lake Spaulding, which was a cute little lake on the way.

Redding, CA. 31/05 - 2/06:
Another baffler for some people who didn't understand why I would go to Redding. This was my gateway into Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Also was an interesting little town with the giant Bethel Church) centred here.

• Would highly recommend doing the Black Butte Trail near Mt Shasta. Has some incredible views of Mt Shasta itself and although a pretty strenuous hike uphill, it involves some cool rock scrambling, if that's your thing. Despite all this, the highlight of basically my life so far was making friends with this guy. He was even nice enough to pose for me.
• On the drive from Redding into Oregon, I passed Mt Shasta again around Dunsmuir and got some nice views along the way

Crater Lake National Park, OR. 2/06 - 5/06:
Based myself about 20 miles outside of Ashland, OR whilst exploring Crater Lake National Park. Stayed with this total hippie family at an Airbnb which turned out to be on a Weed Farm. I'd forgotten that it was legal in Oregon. But they were the best.

• I was surprised to hear from a lot of people local to the area that they hadn't made it to Crater Lake yet. They need to get there, NOW. It's hard to describe or even capture in pictures the beauty of the lake. The deepest lake in the USA, and also has 0 tributaries, meaning that it has just been filled by rain and snow over millions of years. I hiked Garfield Peak, which still had some snow on it and was technically closed, but should open soon.
• The equally as beautiful, but in a different way, Umpqua National Forest neighbours Crater Lake National Park and has some incredible waterfalls to visit. Clearwater Falls, Whitehorse Falls, Watson Falls, and my favourite, Toketee Falls. I missed out on the Umpqua Hot Springs, which are supposed to be cool

Eugene, OR. 5/06 - 7/06:
Back when I was at university, I seriously considered transferring to the University of Oregon for a year. I kinda regret not doing it, especially after being in Eugene and seeing the town/campus. I didn't take a lot of photos, mostly just walked around and took it all in.

• Firstly, I would recommend checking out the University of Oregon campus. I've never seen a place be so passionate about their college, although I think that's a normal thing for a college town. Check out Hayward Field if you get there before they tear it down. An Olympic runner called Steve "Pre" Prefontaine went to the U of O and he's pretty famous around there. They call themselves Tracktown, USA because of their Track & Field program at the university
• Other than going up Skinner Butte, where I got a nice view of the town, I got some beers at Beer Garden. They had a huge selection of different beers/ciders and they also had a beer garden (go figure) that was surrounded by food trucks. Also got pizza at Track Town Pizza, which I would recommend just for the fact that it seemed like the entirety of Hayward Field went there after an NCAA meet during the day

Portland, OR. 7/06 - 9/06:
Currently in Portland and to be honest I haven't actually checked out the city itself at all. I'm planning to on my way out tomorrow, so here's what I've done so far anyway.

• The Colombia River Gorge is an incredible drive only minutes from Portland itself that I would recommend to anybody. Unfortunately for me, the Eagle Creek fire that went through last year is still showing its effects and therefore a lot of the trails I wanted to hike were closed. Despite this, the drive itself and the stops along the way were still beautiful
• The places I stopped at included Vista House, Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Multnomah Falls. Multnomah is probably the most popular stop along the way, and I can say that because I tried to go in the morning and the car park was closed because it was full. So I had to come back later in the afternoon
• I spent some time in Hood River, which was a cute little town that had a lot to offer and was a good place to stop and turn back. I had lunch at Double Mountain Brewery, which I'd recommend. There's micro-breweries galore though all across Oregon, so feel free to try the like 3 others just in this small town

Summary
If anyone makes it this far, I bloody salute you. I can say already though that the last 2 and a bit weeks have been amongst the best of my life. From here, I head to Seattle tomorrow, before crossing into Canada and doing the Rockies. I'll try to make these a bit more regularly so it's not a huge chunk of writing that is terribly written and hard to read. If anyone has any questions or wants to know more, please reach out! I want to help in any way I can if you're planning a similar trip or a trip to an area I am going/have been.
Cheers!

This is a very rare opportunity to train with Army Special Forces veterans in an excellent local range. The range is located on Nafi Drive, way past the Immokalee Casino.

• Support veteran-owned businesses
• Train with experienced experts
• Meet other GORUCK enthusiasts
• Earn three course patches from the experience of a lifetime

Counter Terror Rifle is a fast-paced, scenario-based training course designed for shooters of all skill levels. Our Cadre will begin by reinforcing the fundamentals of safety while operating an AR-15 platform and physically demonstrate each course of fire prior to each drill. All of the firing drills are based on real-world scenarios and designed to fire at various distances, various positions, and rates of fire. Learn how to take your weapon from a point of storage to a point of threat contact. This will be accomplished by learning how to store, retrieve, load, and employ your weapon efficiently and effectively.
Participants who complete this course with Cadre Machine will be eligible for a non-resident concealed weapons permit. These permits are valid for a term of 7 years in 36 states.
Due to the space and safety requirements needed to conduct these events the ranges may be up to a two hour drive from the city listed. Please keep this in mind when making lodging arrangements.

What to Bring

• Rifle
• Eye Protection (sunglasses are fine)
• Ear protection (foam in ear or headphone style)
• 350 Rounds
• Water, food, and snacks (for the duration of the course)
• Long Pants
• Closed toed shoes (MACV-1 Boots recommended)

If Using Your Own Firearm, Also Bring

• Minimum 3 magazines
• Belt magazine holder that can hold two extra magazines
• Muzzle down sling (Rifle Only)

Recommended Items

• Sunscreen
• Magazine Speed Loader
• Gun Oil
• Tac Hat
• Additional range/firearms gear is good (there is always a GRT in need)
• Reflex/Red-Dot Optic, not magnification (Rifle Only)
• Pistol with an OWB holster, magazine holder, and two pistol magazines

Additional Information

• Firearms Training utilizes semiautomatic pistols or AR-15 platform, however, we offer custom classes on any and all small arms.
• Shooters who display weapons proficiency will by challenged by the Cadre to increase their skill level by various methods. This will not have an impact on the overall conduct of the class.
• GORUCK has 6 rifles to rent: Smith and Wesson M&P AR-15 with a TRUGLO Red-Dot optic, 3 magazines, magazine holster, sling and a magazine coupler. Rentals available while supplies last. To request a rental, follow the instructions in your "Event Confirmation" email.
• At this time we are unable to transport weapons in to New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California. If you're event is in either of these states you will need to provide your own weapon. The single exception is Lake Tahoe, CA because the range used is on the Nevada side of the border.

The Discovery
This past November (2015), a twelve-year-old and his friends were exploring the shores of Folsom Lake in the area of Hobie Cove when they stumbled upon what they believed to be human remains. The El Dorado Sheriffs were able to quickly confirm that the femur, tailbone, ribs, skull with teeth intact once belonged to a human. Next to the remains (but possibly unrelated) were an old cellphone and a Price Club Card that once belonged to a Ted (last name not released).
What We Know
The Folsom Lake Bones, Chico State University forensic anthropologists say:

• belong to a man aged 35 or older
• have been in the lake for at least two years (but may be older)
• are not Native American

Possible Explanations
Details released in early 2016 dashed the hopes of many locals, ruling out the possibility that the remains belonged to murder victim Christie Wilson. Wilson went missing from a local casino in 2005. In 2007, Mario Garcia was charged with her murder.
As with all large bodies of water, accidents occur. Folks drown, boats capsize, and in the case of a 1965 accident, a plane found an unexpected end wreckage believed to be located in 2014, yet to be excavated. Authorities have dispelled the chance that these bones could belong to the older male passenger still missing from the crash as the current that exists within the lake is not strong enough to have washed him from the tangle of trees in which his craft is currently buried in to the discovery site in Hobie Cove.
Folsom Lake
The lake itself is a popular man made reservoir where boating, kayaking and swimming are commonplace. Campsites and horseback trails are also plentiful. Though the American River feeds into Folsom Lake, it is difficult to reach the lake itself by whitewater rafting. Recent years of harsh drought have dropped the water level to record lows, even exposing the ruins of the old gold mining town, Mormon Island, that was made up of a handful of hotels, mercantiles and other shops and housed a good 2,500 people prior to the fire in 1856. At it’s capacity, it spans nearly 11.5K acres.
What are your suggestions on who these bones could belong to? Counties with easy access to this large body of water are El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento among others. Nevada is two hours away, though you're likely to pass through Lake Tahoe on the way into the area.
Here is a link to the 958 men currently missing in California
Links:
Folsom Lake Map *Hobie Cove is in the area of Folsom Lake Marina
Initial Story- Sac Bee
Not Likely to Be Related to the 1965 Crash
New Details
Skeletal Remains 1 2 3

Wrote this today. If creepy ghosts don't exist/creep me out, who will? Enjoy
My friend's Dad runs the Mt. Rose ski resort by Lake Tahoe and we drive up from San Francisco in the winter to ski and snowboard there. We stay in Reno for a night on these trips to take in the Casino/Insane Locals vibe Reno has to offer. Reno is close to Mt. Rose so it makes sense to "have a night in Reno". Plus at times I have won enough money in blackjack to pay for my lift ticket.
We usually stay at the Sands Casino Hotel, which is pretty bad ($30 a night), but at least is a casino, which makes it a bit more proper. For whatever reason my friend D got us a hotel room at the Desert Rose, which is a bit off the main strip. It's one of those hotels where people live in the rooms as residences, and as we pulled in each resident would peer out and check us out. I decided to move our ski equipment in the hotel room because we looked like some serious marks and didn't want our car to get broken into. This place had a Cops TV show vibe. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5282311,-119.8229786,3a,75y,357.91h,90.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sL3isKAwWfg5uFCHMngRooA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1.
We go out gamblin' and make our way back to the hotel at midnight, we were skiing the next day so we came back earlier than normal. I was not drinking at the time, for health reasons. I had 3 beers tops. So yeah not drinking is 3 beers to me. I say this honestly to show that I was not drunk, could drive a car and was fully aware of my surroundings. We all peace out for sleepy time and that is when the odd stuff began.
I had been meditating before bed recently (me walking naked on a beach type of stuff) and had been able to have and control very lucid dreams. I always knew the difference between the dream and being awake, so if a dream was getting weird I could force myself awake and be relieved to know I was obviously in a lucid dream. I could control these dreams as well, very vivid, people could talk to me (only people who I already knew the sound of their voice could talk, any other person I made up was mute). The point of this is I was having fun lucid dreaming and always knew the difference between being awake and dreaming, I was in control of it.
So I am having a super weird lucid dreams with really intense visuals, I seem to lose control of the dream and see lots of weird stuff, like one of those brainwash movies where imagery keeps flashing in front of you. Needless to say I felt like my dreams were being intruded upon, with some dark stuff. I was asking myself why my brain was coming up with this crap.
I woke up and felt a bit odd, wondering why my dream had taken such a turn. I was fully awake, I went outside and smoked a cigarette. When you get good at lucid dreaming you better be damn sure you are awake when you are really awake, and to know the difference. Otherwise you would be hallucinating. So at this point all my lucidity occurred in the dream world. Now I was fully awake, roping a ciggy down barefoot outside.
I go back to bed and can't really fall back asleep, when I see a sinewy shape across the room by the bathroom. It is frozen in place, and I kind of stare to let my eyes adjust. It is see through, wearing some type of cloak, with a pointed hood, and had its right arm stretched back. So now I'm kind of excited (I always wanted to see a ghost or UFO). I check the mirror and can clearly see the shape is reflecting off the mirror. I did this to make sure I was actually seeing something. You know, it's late/dark, but by checking the reflection in the mirror I could still see the damn thing. Now I'm tripping out a little, and realize it is holding some type of sickle, grim reaper stick in his outstretched arm. It looked like it was posing in front of the mirror, or about to slash downwards at whatever had been on the floor at some point. Now I believe this shape is clearly a KKK member in a gown, or a grim reaper. It was really tall, so I knew it wasn't some fat racist white guy ghost, but kind of a demonic in stature type of being. Now I am am certain at what I am seeing and I close my eyes, cover myself with the blanket and try to meditate. I look back, still there. I want to turn the light on to make it go away, or see what is there but I don't want to wake up my friends. Now this menacing thing, frozen in pose is making my mind race. Did a KKK member kill someone in here? Is this grim reaper thing trying to scare me? Tell me something? Why was it showing itself to me? Perhaps my meditation was opening up my mind to this, but this was the first time I was fully awake and seeing some shit, as opposed to dreaming it, waking up and knowing it was just in your imagination. OK, this is seriously too much I think to myself, I'm going to turn the light on, I don't care this is really creeping me out. I felt like if I moved or walked by it, I would upset it or something. I knew it knew I was up to something. I reach over and turn the bed stand light on. It was a terrible hotel room, so when you turn the switch the light flickers once, and then comes completely on. SO, as I turn the light, when that first flick of light hit, the thing had instantly changed positions. It turned 90 degrees to the right and was facing me and pointing at me, kind of crouching. It had no face and black eyes. It did this all in an instant, and as the light came on completely it was gone. I lost it, I started packing up all my stuff and my buddies were like "what is going on dude?" I tell them I saw something and I needed to leave the room and go somewhere else for the rest of the night. I was white with fear. They calmed me down and said I must have been hallucinating. I recount the story and swear I have been awake this whole time. Of course my buddies think I am insane now, so we leave the light on and try to sleep. Now, I am pretty reasonable, so the chances of a ghost hurting me is non existent. I felt there was a presence, but it simply could not hurt me so I was able to stay in the room. Now, it is light and early in the morning (7:30am?). All of the sudden I hear what sounds like a radio coming from the area where the ghost was. KCBS radio blared and I immediately thought the thing was back in the room. I flip the blanket and walk towards the noise and it goes silent. So now it's messing with me. I go to the bathroom, and while I am sitting there I hear the sound of my friend B and his Mom talking. It is a recording of a conversation between them and they are fighting about politics. I could hear everything word for word and couldn't fathom how this was happening. Of course as soon as I swing the door open it stops. I immediately call my friend and ask him if he was on the phone with Mom recently, and had he been in a passionate discussion. He said he wasn't sure, and I told him what I heard. Now he probably thinks I am nuts. At this point I am out this place, I go to the front desk to ask them if anyone ever reported the room haunted, but they weren't in. I did some research on the hotel but couldn't find anything out. This happened earlier this year, and no matter how much I try and justify what really happened, I maintain this as a true sober experience. I have not seen anything else since. Thoughts?

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 90%. (I'm a bot)

Jason Bean/RGJ. An American Indian tribe with deep roots in the Lake Tahoe basin is seeking to reclaim land that's part of a Nevada resort area.
The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California wants to ask Congress for nearly 375 acres of federal land in Incline Village.
Map: The blue-colored parcels represent the land being claimed by the Washoe Tribe.
It owns a travel plaza and casino in Gardnerville and operates Meeks Bay Resort on Forest Service land at Lake Tahoe.
At the time, then-Washoe chairman Brian Wallace noted the Washoe had been "Forcibly removed" and that the land's return provided "a sanctuary and a place of solitude where they can go for important tribal ceremonies and cultural practices, many of which involve Lake Tahoe itself, the core of the Washoe's historic homeland and culture."
The assistant county manager, said there's nothing to prevent Congress from transferring the land to the Washoe, but it can't give the property to both IVGID and the tribe.

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