Tuesday night, we performed for members of the Temecula Stake in Southern California. Wednesday night, we performed for members of the Saratoga Stake, just outside San Jose in Northern California.
What this means is that, in less than twenty-four hours, we conquered the nation's largest state, in terms of population, and its third largest state, in terms of land mass.
In that time, we watched the palm trees and orange groves of the south give way to the cedars and oaks of the north. Driving up I-5, we passed truckloads of garlic and, at the side of the road, farmers who sold cherries, apricots and strawberries. Hand-painted signs offered almonds, pistachios, and walnuts, while avocados could be bought as cheaply as eight for a dollar.
We passed inland reservoirs and advocacy signs asking the question, "Is growing food wasting water?" We knew we were getting close to our destination when signs for "Fruitvale Avenue" and "Thousand Oaks Parkway" became signs for "Silicon Valley Boulevard." This is when we began to appreciate why California boasts the fifth largest economy in the world, placing just ahead of Britain and France.
All this and more we saw out our windows today -- but of course, not all our focus was outward. Much of it was turned inward, to our hundred new best friends.
Fortunately, what happens on the bus stays on the bus.
Unless it makes its way to the blog.
