California Blog

California is known as "The Golden State". Warm weather, endless blue ski, and tropical climates, seems to make California the most populous U.S. state. It's the third largest state by area, boasts the largest US economy, and features diverse geography, from beaches and redwood forests to mountains and deserts. With a rich history tied to the Gold Rush and Spanish colonization.

They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts, he made water flow for them from the rock, he split the rock and the water gushed out.

Isaiah 48:21

I had been traveling all day. I started out in Wells, Nevada. Drove down the mountain, and into the plains.  I drove through several different small cities, and then through Vegas.  I didn't like driving through Vegas as the traffic was terrible, making it hard to look around. I would have loved to have been able to take pictures, but didn't find a good place to stop.

I finally stopped for dinner in a small town called Searchlight. I was still in Nevada. I had thought about finding a place to sleep, but after eating and chatting with my oldest child and friends, I found myself wide awake.  I decided to keep driving.  I actually drove into the night. 

I finally drove over the boarder of Nevada and California. I continued to drive until I got to a city called Needles. There I looked for a good place to park my car so I could catch a few hours of sleep, but every rest stop and truck stop looked scary and intimidating.  I decided to rent a room at a hotel.  I went to a out of the way Best Western.  The rooms were very clean and spacious, but very expensive.

The next morning, after eating a continental breakfast, I made my way to Arizona.  Driving down the California highway with very few vehicles I noticed signs along the roadside.  These signs said not to stop on the road or even on the side of the road due to flash floods.  That was really very intimidating.  There was evidence in various places showing where the flood waters washed over the roadway. It must have rained earlier as there were some puddles on the side of the road.  I would have really liked to get out of my car to investigate.

It took me several hours of driving, but I finally made it to Arizona and one of my cousin's houses.