Sacramento

In August 2001 the Pacific Region campus moved from San Diego to McClellan Air Force Base in the North Highlands area of Sacramento.

At first glance this might seem like an odd decision. Why move from the beach to the valley?

I don't have an official answer for that, but after being here for less than a week, I can already detect some very valid and obvious reasons for the move.

I happen to love Sacramento, already.

Which is precisely why I get slightly perturbed when people bad mouth the city. But before I can get into the things I love about Sacramento, I think a little background is in order.

I've done my fare share of living in "less glamorous cities." Tallahassee, Florida. Tulsa, Oklahoma. And Syracuse, New York. It's true, no one is going to move to these cities unless their job requires them to. But that doesn't mean they don't have great things to offer. To this day, the best church I've ever been to is Bethel AME in Tallahassee, my fondest memory of being outside in my city was riding my bike along the River-walk, and I would withstand any number of Syracuse winters just to have the beautiful CNY falls.

These cities, like Sacramento aren't going to draw in the tourists. They're not the cities people are flocking to move to, and that's OK. In fact they wouldn't be the same if they were. Big cities are great, don't get me wrong. I'm form Houston after all. But after spending my fare share of time in medium sized cities, I can appreciate what they have to offer.

I'm looking forward to exploring downtown Sacramento, visiting the capital, learning about the different trees that are in abundance here more so than people, having picnics along the river, learning about the Rail yards, using the light rail, eating at the local diners and restaurants of international cuisine and of course getting to know the needs and people of this community.

Sacramento might not be San Fransisco, Los Angeles or San Diego, but in my opinion, it's better. I love Sacramento for the same reasons I love Houston, visiting doesn't cut it. You have to live there to get it.

I'm looking forward to the day when I defend Sacramento with the fervor that I defend Syracuse, Tulsa, or Houston.

and if my words won't work, perhaps the Wikipedia shot of the Skyline will.

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AmeriGET IT!