Truly I will probably never see even a small percentage of what is in my own country! We are quite spoiled here in the vast geographical features and different types of climates you can hit from north to south and east to west across the entire country. I would definitely love to see more of what spots you got to experience while here! You may very well have seen more than I have, though I am pretty well-versed in the East Coast at least, haha.
I definitely lived vicariously through your NZ/Australia trip. Though I'm sure it's nothing compared to actually living it yourself. Beggars can't be choosers, though, so I'll take what I can get. I would love to get over there one day to take surf lessons from @riverflows, though. ;)
I think the mountain/shore combo was why I liked the Pacific Northwest so much. Down here in Georgia and into Florida it is more one or the other. Well, no real mountains in Florida anyway, haha. Given that I don't often get a lot of time away, I really enjoy those spots where I can experience it all and make the most out of that short time!
Haha yeah I never really travelled too much in the East coast other than Florida when I was with my parents in the teenage years for trips. A couple of weeks in a villa down in Clearwater and Tampa Bay/Naples if memory serves right!
I couldn't meet up for a bush party with @riverflows when I was over there last year, maybe next time I'm out travelling in Aus we'll get the barbies going! Heard she can throw a few shapes lol!
If you can getaway for a nice relaxing weekend in your own country and it has what you need then you may not need to venture too far afield unless you really get bored and want to plan for a bigger trip so do what you can and if you enjoy it, that's awesome!