Before we begin, you need to know that we stayed on the positive side of life all through these weather woes, and you can, too. Now, on with the story.
Carol and I began the trip on July 30, 2018. Throughout portions of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington, we breathed smoke from forest fires, and I had to take allergy pills to reduce sneezing.
In early October, the smoke had cleared out of western Washington where we were staying, but something changed. In mid-October we felt the cold hand of winter tapping us on the shoulder, so we made plans to head south. By November 1, we heard that snow was on its way, and we started driving.
Heading down through Oregon, snow was no threat, but rain was visiting us often. We had some days of sunshine, and we enjoyed the trip, but rain was becoming much more prevalent. We cut the scenic trip short and headed south to sunny California.
On November 17, our son and his family moved to Mountain Ranch, just sixteen miles east of San Andreas, California, so we went to visit them. Now in California, we were south of wintery Washington and rainy Oregon. We are not classified as Snowbirds, but we do prefer a little warmer and drier climate.
I grew up in California, and winters on the golden coast were normally mild. For example: In February of 1993 we drove to Southern California for my grandmother’s funeral. Our ten-year-old son, Michael, said, “Dad, a California winter is like a New Mexico summer!” I laughed and said, “You’re right.” (Our home in New Mexico was at 7,830 feet above sea level.)
Back to the trip.
I had planned to stay in Northern California only through December. But the pastor of the church, asked me to teach on the Beatitudes (found in Matthew 5:1-12), so we stayed another month. Our son had a full-hookup on his property for our trailer, so we got settled in and really enjoyed the time with their family.
California had been in a drought for a number of years, so we were surprised to hear that a heavy rainstorm was on its way. That would be okay because, based on history, it wouldn’t last long, and the state needed the water.
But we got pounded! Rain came fast and furious. Any roof that could leak DID leak, some houses slid into rivers, and mudslides had to be removed from many streets. Our trailer was rocked by rain and heavy wind, but we survived the onslaught.
Then my cell phone warned me: “Weather Alert – Winter Advisory in effect for the next 48 hours. Snow accumulation of two to four inches.”
Our son said that might be an exaggeration because they haven’t received much snow for about 12-15 years. Good. Nothing to worry about.
But within the next 36 hours, we received 16 inches of heavy, wet snow. California needed the snowpack for its water supply, but it made things difficult for us. Snow-laden trees toppled onto power lines, and electrical power was out for almost a week. I made plans to move south as soon as I completed the Bible series. (Power was restored, but with damaged trees, branches kept falling and power was intermittent for two more weeks.)
By February 5, the snow had melted enough to allow me to pull the trailer off the property and down the mountain. So, with another winter advisory set for February 7, we pulled out on the 6th, and we headed for Bakersfield, California.
We wanted to stay in Bakersfield for two nights, but a portion of Interstate-5 called Tejon Pass is over 4,100 feet, and snow was predicted in two days. We stayed only one night.
We reached Oak Grove, CA (adjacent to Palomar Mountain) where my sister and brother-in-law, lived; and breathing a sigh of relief, I said, “We are finally out of the weather.”
That was a misunderstanding!
On February 14, Valentine’s Day, our area got the heaviest rainstorm on record and received over six inches of rain in two days. Roads washed out and several bridges were ripped up.
You might understand that, as soon as the dirt road was repaired, we headed further south to San Diego. Yes, we visited the zoo and Sea World. We had sunny skies for the next week – and hit the road to Phoenix before the next storm descended.
Where am I going with this tale-of-weather-woes? Simply this: we cannot always escape problems – weather or otherwise. Whatever we’re facing, we must pray for guidance and wisdom. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to give our worries to the Lord because he cares for us. If we keep a cheerful outlook and trust the Lord, He will guide us.
Gene Linzey 