I love California and I am not even a Democrat!
Posted on 10/31/2011 by dsjohndrow
The last time I was out west was in 1990. While I was visiting Death Valley, the Gulf War started in Iraq. I had no time constraints and I stayed as long as I needed enjoy the many wonderful sights!
Yesterday I drove from Redding to Redwoods National Park. I took the treacherous SR 299 through the Cascades. Because my internal clock is 3 hours off, I got up early and left before sunrise. The trip is about 4 hours. The road is well paved and the speed limit (for the manly) is 55. The switchbacks are pretty well banked; which is a good thing because the road is almost devoid of guard rails. I am not sure the white line on the outer edge would do much to keep your car from plummeting off the mountain side.
As I came down one mountain and readied to climb the next, the moon shown on Whiskytown Lake. After about an hour, I hadn’t seen a single car. The road was narrow and there were no shoulders. As I drove up the mountain, I started to think about what might happen if I had a flat, or worse, an accident… I flipped on the radio to see if I could find something interesting to listen to, nothing but static. My cell phone had long lost its signal.
Down another mountain and up the next… I decided to pray, it’s something that I like to do anyway. I only wished that I had brought music.
The minutes started to pass, and then in the valley there was fog, thick fog. I wondered if it would get worse. I wound my way forward. I felt peace. Once you have been near death, you don’t find as much drama in uncomfortable situations!
Then all of sudden I was above the clouds looking down at the valley I just crossed - the sun was just above the horizon. I pulled over at a turnout, and took some photos. I got back in the car longing for some music, and flipped on the radio again. I punched the scan button and on the radio was Chris Tomlin singing, “You Never Let Go”… as I walk through valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil… so I sat there for moment and savored the presence of the Almighty.
I drove the rest of the way to the coast through Shasta-Trinity National Forrest I started thinking about my continued blessings. The radio station faded and hit seek button again. This time it was Country station (I now some of you don’t think that is a blessing!) playing Joe Nichols “Gimme the Girl.” I missed my wife, wished that I could give her a call.
Life is good, really good. Don’t miss it!
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