What the hell?
I'm cruising up Interstate 15 through the Mojave Desert on the way to Las Vegas. Is this some sort of mirage?
I can't believe what I'm seeing. It's the Ten Commandments.
Huh?
Just a few miles before I hit Eddie World, on the side of the freeway there's a series of freestanding billboard signs, each featuring one of the Ten Commandments. In ascending order, each Commandment is emblazoned on a Double Tablet shaped sign.
At the end of the series of signs, at the top of the hill, you will find the Yermo Cross. Prominently displayed right next to the Cross is a Star of David. Conspicuously absent is any representation of Islam.
The Yermo Cross, the Star of David and Ten Commandments were first constructed by landowner Larry Robillard back in 2005, according to the Yermo Cross website. At that time there was a lot of controversy about the Ten Commandments being removed from public places across the country. This installation was Mr Robillard's response.
At the time they were installed on the northbound side of the freeway, the California Agricultural Inspection Station was located exactly opposite on the southbound side of Interstate 15. The Inspection station was torn down and relocated closer to the state line several years ago.
According to the website, in 2007 repairs were made to the signs and solar powered lights were added. On a subsequent visit it was discovered that all but one of the solar lights had been stolen. They didn't steal the solar light illuminating the Ninth Commandment. Of course you know the Ninth Commandment is Thou Shalt Not Steal.
Hilarious!
By the way, when you are driving Southbound if you look across the freeway you see the back sides of the signs. On the backside the signs read (One word at a time) Jesus Loves Me This I Know.
At first I thought it was weird to encounter the Ten Commandments in the middle of the desert. But then it occurred to me that, according to the story, the desert is where Moses received the original copies. Where would be a more appropriate place to encounter them than the desert?
And not just anywhere in the desert. They're on the side of the road to Sin City. It's like the signs that you see before you enter a particularly desolate stretch of highway that say Last Gas Next 150 miles. But instead the message is Last Chance For Salvation Next 150 Miles.
Mikey C says: God drives a dreamless highway in a black sedan. Picking up survivors, preaching to the motel man... read more