Freeway

So Ive seen it in movies. I didn't think it actually happened in real life though until today. I was entering my 6th hour of being in the car on my way home from Reno. Usually its a 3 hour drive but I guess because of the 3 day weekend, the Rib cook off and burning man all in Reno the same weekend I happen to be there everyone else was trying to get home as well. Traffic was horrible. We left Reno no later than 12:45 and about 5:30 I was stoked to finally see Madison Avenue. I dreaded that place for 4 whole years and now it sure was a sight for sore eyes! I looked over at Ciarra to express my eagerness to be home, but she was sleeping. So there I was passing Antelope and Greenback and finally Madison alone with my excitement. I sat up a little straighter in my seat and turned up the music. Even started dancing a little as I sang along. I would be home in less than an hour and I knew this drive well. I expected to hit a little bit of traffic around Cal Expo with the state fair going on but Ive dealt with it plenty of times before, its usually not too bad and it clears up as soon as I pass the Cal Expo exit. Boy did we hit traffic! I saw the Cal Expo exit come and go and got a little worried when the traffic seemed to get worse. The stop and go traffic had come and gone. There was no going. We were at a dead stop and hadn't moved an inch for at least 15mins before I turned off my engine. People were getting out of their cars and walking around, stretching and trying to figure out what was going on. Me and Ciarra got comfortable and busted out the cheez-its. The guy in the car next to us offered $20 bucks for them haha. There was a church group that got out of a van and started doing a drama right there in the middle of the freeway. White masks and all. There were kids walking on the wall that separates the different directions. There were motorcycle cops riding on the shoulder and then another one going the wrong direction between traffic. Are you serious right now? We are really gonna party on the freeway. Bumping music and all? Ugh! I just wanna get home. A helicopter is flying overhead dropping water on us, so it feels kinda like its raining a little bit. Finally we all start moving again and as we drive a little further we start coughing and choking on all the smoke. Its so thick I cant see my aunts car in front of me. I look over and the ground along the side of the freeway is charred and there are still flames interspersed randomly. Wow. only me. Only my life. Honestly, you can either cry or laugh. Laughing is more fun though. But this gives the perfect example of my mixed emotions of Sacramento. I was so excited to see it on the way home, thinking I had arrived. Yet I was in for a rude awakening. I felt alone in my excitement. Just as I did when I moved to Sacramento and knew nobody. I was so excited to see the campus, thinking I had arrived as a Christian...about to enroll in Bible College. Man, was I in for a rude awakening my first quarter Fall 2004. I quickly realized how much I hated Sacramento and just wanted to get out of there. I appreciate Lodi more and more everyday. Both on the freeway today and throughout the past 4yrs as things got rough. I have a love-hate relationship with Sacramento and today, driving home from Reno was the icing on the cake! Anyways, 8 hours later I am finally home safe and sound! Good looking out God! I appreciate what You're doing for me. I love You, Lord!