Wonders of America: 2nd Wonder

This morning Good Morning America unveiled the 2nd Wonder in the series 7 Wonders of America. Sam Champion was the adventurer/host for today’s segment. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was designated the 2nd wonder. It featured some amazing scenery. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is on my list of places to visit someday. One day I hope to visit Alaska as part of my goal to visit all 50 states.

You can check out more photos from the segment here.

Taco Wars

In Los Angeles the battle is brewing between taco trucks and traditional restaurants. The city of Los Angeles has passed a new law that will fine for parking a truck for longer than an hour to $1000 or 6 months in jail. Currently the fine is $60 for staying parked for more than 30 minutes. Restaurant owners claim that the Taco trucks unfairly steal their business and the law is needed to protect their livelihood. The truck owners believe they are being unfairly targeted by the city.

One of the things I miss about living in Texas are the taco stands or trucks. They offer inexpensive alternative to the usual fast food. The fare is authentic Mexican food and quite different from gringo style tacos. The tacos are usually served on corn tortillas with meat, onions, and cilantro. That’s right no cheese. Tortas are my favorite. Tortas are Mexican sub style sandwich. Tacos, tostados and cheese quesadillas sold for a dollar. While tortas and quesadillas with meat cost about $1.50. Of course that was about 5 years ago so I am sure the prices have gone up a little.

Instead of passing laws banning competition maybe the restaurants should offer a better value. The actions on behalf of the resturants reminds me of Demolition Man where the only restaurant available was Taco Bell. Do we really need to put people in jail for selling tacos? If the owner of a taco stand has business licenses, health inspection and pays taxes then they should have the right to be in business. One on the Taco stand owners mentioned in the NPR article even paid rent for the curb space he uses.