Seeking God

My Life through the Years (Part No. 10)

Age 25

In our last installment, we were located in southern Utah and it was becoming colder and colder. In the south of the state, I came to Bryce Canyon National Park. This was a beautiful—even awe-inspiring—place, with colorful views of the canyon below. Orange, red, and other such colors “painted” the canyon and reminded the traveler that this was God’s handiwork. I spent a night there, in the darkness, but the next morning the weather was bitterly cold. I checked the freezing weather and I think it was about 16 or 18 degrees—and this was why I was feeling cold in my traveling sleeping bag in the car!

As I continued south and south-west, I came to Nevada. Today, this is a very liberal state (I just read that they had voted for their first “transgender” governor!).  But this was not always the wicked and immoral state that it has become, although it has had some reputation for unconventional lifestyles and adultery. Las Vegas was the next noteworthy place that I came to in my travels into this state. As I traveled, I came to Southern California. By God’s grace, I saw so much that I should share with you!

In this very unique state, I came to “Death Valley” (I had remembered the proverbial program, “Death Valley Days” and the 20 Mule Team). Soon after arriving into this Park, it became dark and I went to the closest parking place where I stopped for the night. I recall exiting the car soon after arrival and the area seemed to be pitch black. But above, there was an amazing canopy of stars sent from God to brighten the sky and draw attention of His creation. I spent some time there praising God for His greatness and creative works in the heavens! The next day I traveled around the Park, viewing the natural sights. Alas, people had died in this location because of the heat! Of course, this was after the hot time of the year, but still it was warmer than usual!

Within the state itself and to the south was Bakersfield, California, and to the south of this city I came to dozens of other cities! There were Lancaster, Palmdale, Victorville, and Apple Valley (the latter were homes of the proverbial Roy Rogers and Dale Evans).  There was Joshua Tree National Park, San Bernardino, Riverside, and to the south, San Diego. This wealthy city with lovely climate was one centered on the military presence. I continued to drive south and came to the Mexico border. What shall I do? I decided to enter Tijuana and spent some time viewing this enchanted city. You may remember the city as one of the headquarters for the Mexican drug cartels but there are other noteworthy aspects of the city as well. I do remember that I bought a bag of apples in the United States and when I returned to the States, the border agents didn’t allow me to enter with them!

Toward the north, we find Oceanside, Long Beach, and Los Angeles proper. As I recall, I visited Disneyland and toured this attraction by foot. If I had had more time, I could have possibly distributed tracts to the thousands of visitors. I realize that this is on the famous “fault line” for earthquakes and many of the people think that at any time there could be a major quake. I realized this then and now. It is good that there is a “God in heaven” as Daniel reminds us. We are able to live with these constant threats.

A few highlights: In San Bernardino (now known for its corruption) I was able to visit the Campus Crusade headquarters (now moved to Florida, as you may know). Also, in Pasadena, I visited the cult headquarters for the “Worldwide Church of God” and had a tour of the campus (which is now out of business, especially with the death of its head and founder, Herbert W. Armstrong). This shows us that in time these human organizations will fail. I also was able to see the headquarters for Clyde Narrimor’s organization. In fact, I was able to meet him and he gave me a tour of the place.

As I mentioned earlier, San Diego is an interesting place and one worth the visit. While there, I visited the world famous “San Diego Zoo” with the many expressions of God’s wildlife. I suppose that many would call this a “wealthy” city and others would call this a “military” city since there are military installations and retirees there. Off the coast to the west is the fabled “Santa Clemente” island and toward the north one comes to Santa Catalina Island—but I didn’t personally visit either of these. Toward the south of the mainland, one comes to Chula Vista (which I drove through) and then Mexico.

I wanted to visit Hollywood because of its fame. For example, I visited “77 Sunset Strip” while in the vicinity. And high above the city was the bright sign, “Hollywood.” The whole area is known as a place of debauchery and revelry. Besides Los Angeles, there would be Glendale, Oxnard, Santa Clarita, and I visited Santa Barbara toward the north, along the coast. At Malibu, along the coast, but near Los Angeles, I visited Pepperdine University that I had read so much about.

As I was going north, through the central “valley,” I drove through Fresno, Merced, and Modesto. Perhaps you would know of this valley for many of the migrants work the fields and this area produces many of the fruits and vegetables that you consume.  While near these cities, I went west to San Francisco Bay and visited the famous San Francisco area. I understand that the houses may cost one million there, thus only “wealthy” people can afford the place, as well as other cities around this bay. If you are willing, you might want to ride up and down the hills of this well-known city. You might also want to remember the earthquake that nearly leveled the area a century ago. San Francisco is the “home” of “China town” and also the proverbial street cars. I can’t recall whether I saw the bridge that people find attractive. And a number of suicides have occurred there. This is what one source says:

The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, known locally as the Bay Bridge, is a complex of bridges spanning San Francisco Bay in California. As part of Interstate 80 and the direct road between San Francisco and Oakland, it carries about 260,000 vehicles a day on its two decks. It has one of the longest spans in the United States. (Wikipedia, “San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge).

I visited Berkeley in Oakland and the university that was the liberal hotbed for so many evil things years ago. Maybe this remains the case. Since it was the focus of much of the “Jesus People” in the coming few years, I wanted to actually see this area up close. Thus, there is much sin located there, yet I know that there are “Christian” ministries located in the area too. Just how they can afford to pay their bills, I have no idea.

The northern part of California, which I also took in, is a very scenic area, with tall mountains, valleys, the fabled “redwoods” trees, and people who wanted to find a bit of land on which to live. Of course, today we know of the fires, the snowstorms, the wind, and the like in the area. One area I wanted to mention was found south-east of the capital (Sacramento), and that was Yosemite National Park! In all of my travels, probably this place was the most beautiful and awesome to see or experience. I saw (for the second time) the famous Yosemite Falls, the Yosemite River, “El Capitan,” “Half Dome,” and Bridal Veil Falls—and other locations.

From the top of the hills, one can look down at the valley below. Now we have been told that the summer months (when children are out on vacation) may be the time to avoid visiting, but I was there in November, with its colder weather. I can recall walking up a trail that took me to some falls (perhaps Bridal veil Falls or another, and paused on a wooden bridge to pray with one of the falls before me. I had been here years before, asking God for His blessing on my life and also pleading with Him for a sweet wife. It was a time of peace and tranquility as I sought God’s blessing, help, and guidance.

There is much to see in this large western state. Countless people have migrated to various places in the state, especially toward the southern sections. Yet others are leaving too. The whole state (north to south) has become very liberal, filled with drugs, many illegal immigrants, lack of water, and weather disturbances. I can’t recall what it was like years ago when I traveled, but perhaps some of the same issues were there.

Soon I was preparing to leave the west and head east. Of course, as you know, at this time I was still planning to travel for half a year and then settle down for a year of intense Bible study.