The Beauty You Almost Drive Past

Some of the most beautiful places in America aren’t places you stop to visit. They’re the places you almost drive right past. Breezie and I learned that again on our drive from Coalinga to Visalia, right through the heart of California’s Central Valley. Now, I know what some of you are thinking. It’s just a drive across the valley. What’s so special about that? Well, come along, and I’ll show you. From the windshield of our motorhome, the land kept changing. Golden hills rolled by. Wide-open fields stretched out as far as we could see. And way out on the horizon, the mountains waited for us like old friends. Three Things We Learned Along the Way Coalinga was named after a train stop. Back in the 1880s, coal was found in the hills, and the railroad built loading stops called Coaling Station A, B and C. A town grew up around the first one, and folks shortened “Coaling A” to Coalinga. Funny thing is, the town became famous for oil, not coal. Back in the 1970s, a local motel owner even started painting the oil pumps around town to look like animals and cowboys. People called it the Iron Zoo. This valley helps feed the whole country. The fields we drove past are part of the Central Valley, which grows about one quarter of the nation’s food. The next time you bite into a peach, an almond or a bunch of grapes, there’s a good chance it grew right along this road. Visalia is one of the oldest towns in the valley. Settlers arrived back in 1852, and Visalia is known as the oldest San Joaquin Valley town between Los Angeles and French Camp, near Stockton. The town has been watching travelers pass through for over 170 years. And here’s the best part. Highway 198, the road that carried us across the valley, keeps going east all the way into Sequoia National Park. One morning you’re rolling past farm fields. By the afternoon, you could be standing under trees that were already growing long before our country was born. Sometimes the Journey Is the Adventure Breezie and I have learned something out here on the road. You don’t always need a famous landmark or a big attraction to have a wonderful day. Sometimes all you need is a comfortable seat, a beautiful view, and someone you love sharing the ride. We spend so much of our lives rushing to get somewhere that we forget to enjoy where we are. There’s no shortage of beauty in this world. But sometimes there’s a shortage of people willing to slow down long enough to see it. There’s Beauty in the In-Between Somewhere along that drive, I got to thinking about how much life is like a road trip. We all have places we’re trying to reach. Dreams we’re chasing. Plans we’re making. But what if some of life’s greatest blessings aren’t waiting at the destination? What if they’re scattered along the road, just waiting for us to notice? A mountain in the distance. A field glowing in the evening sun. A quiet moment with someone you love. Little reminders that our Creator filled this world with wonders, big and small. So wherever your road takes you today, don’t be in such a hurry to reach the end of it. Look around. Smile a little. Be thankful for another day. Because someday, when we look back over all the miles, we may find that the most beautiful parts of our lives weren’t the places we were going. They were the moments we enjoyed getting there. Come Along for the Ride We made a video of our drive so you can ride along with us. No hiking boots, no tickets, and you don’t even have to leave your favorite chair. Just sit back and enjoy a peaceful drive through California’s countryside. And when you’re done watching, tell us in the comments: have you ever found a beautiful place by accident while driving somewhere else? We’d love to hear your story. Happy travels, my friends. Finius and Breezie The Adventures of Finius the Skinniest Digging Life Together