My niece, 6 at the time, surprised me over Christmas when she declared New Jersey her favorite state. Her visit to the Garden State last summer apparently sealed the deal, vaulting the state (and her view of it) to the top spot over California and others. I expected that to change after her trip to California in February, and after our trip to Wyoming just last week. But no, the now-7-year-old remained steady when asked her favorite states, volunteering New Jersey immediately for the top spot. The others landed this way: 2. California, 3. Arizona, 4. Las Vegas, and 5. Wyoming. Out of the picture entirely are her home state of Colorado and her uncle's Pennsylvania. By now you're asking what exit?, or more precisely why in the world would she pick New Jersey? The answer is simple: Her view of it is an Avalon condo with two...
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