Urban Sprawl comes to Big Valley

Cows in the roadduring a cattle drive.

Can't get away from traffic jams and all those horns!


Big Valley California, 2007
Both Modoc and Lassen Counties
Copyright 2007, Big Valley News

Many of us, including me (the editor) settled in Big Valley to get away from traffic congestion and urban sprawl. Blame it on progress, but it looks like some of the big city experiences are coming to Big Valley.

I thought I could be free of traffic congestion with horns blaring and being stuck in heavy traffic when I left Santa Cruz, but I was wrong. I believed that airport traffic would be light and free of the constant drone of aircraft overhead. Again I was wrong. I thought that high rise buildings would be a thing of the past.

The city of Santa Cruz has a freeway intersection know as "The Fishhook" It is the site of bumper to bumper traffic jams every day. Lookout now has what I call "The Cowhook" where equally frustrating delays take place as much as once or twice a year. 

5 light aircraft parked at tiny Bieber Airport

"Heavy air traffic at Bieber International"

The traffic at Bieber International (Southard Field) can get heavy at times as witnessed by the above photo showing 6 (count'em, SIX) airplanes. I have no idea how bad the check in's and security were, to say nothing of parking problems. Bieber may soon have to overflow to Adin Airport if this continues.

This is an example of a Modoc Countyt High Rise

High Rises abound near Bieber

High rise buildings are now showing up in Big Valley. These view obstructing structures seem to be popping up everywhere. Might as well move to New York City! You just can't stop progress.

Submitted by anonymous:

You know when you're from Modoc County when:

  1. Your idea of a traffic jam is 10 cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway
  2. Vacation means going to Medford for the weekend.
  3. You measure distances in "hours:.
  4. You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
  5. You often switch from heater to air conditioner (and then back to heater) in the same day.
  6. You use a down comforter in the summer.
  7. Your grandparents drive at 65 MPH through 13 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
  8. You see people wearing hunting clothes at social events.
  9. You install security lights on your house and garage and have both unlocked.
  10. You carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them.
  11. There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at the grocery store.
  12. You design your kid's Halloween (and Easter) costume to fit over a snowsuit.
  13. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are full of snow and the washboard roads get soft.
  14. You think sexy lingerie is tube socks and flannel pajamas.
  15. You know all 4 seasons:
    • Almost winter
    • Winter
    • Still winter
    • construction
  16. It takes you 3 hours to go to the store for one item even when you're in a rush because you have to stop to talk to everyone in town.