Herlong (CA)

(My Theme is Places I have visited or lived)

Herlong, California

The old-timers use to ask us newbees if we knew how Herlong got its name? They would say, "Well, when you got here and looked around you would say, "I ain't gonna be here long.'"

Actually Herlong was named for the first explosive ordinance disposal Soldier killed in WW2, Captain Henry W. Herlong.

Once upon a time (Summer of 1984) I was called to the edge of the world to take over a very fledgling church in the desert about 70 miles north of Reno, NV

After the initial shock of being set down in this beautiful high desert just hours from having spent six years in Los Angeles I fell in love with this place. To this day I love the high desert. 

This little community center was where this little church met on Sunday mornings and evening. There were 4 or 5 families and a couple of single adults for a total of about 25 people. I knew they were slightly different in doctrine and practice than me, but I believed them. (Population: about 1,000 or so. I say or so because it is hard to count the many desert rats who live off the grid)

I say I believed them. I learned from this experience that not everyone who says they believe the bible and want some one to teach it expositionally, grammatically, historically, culturally, and contextually is telling the truth. Well, they think they are telling the truth. But when accurate, expositional bible teaching "meddles" with your "sacred cows" watch out! The fur can fly.

Fly it did, after two attempts (we left in the first 90 days and went back to LA,) and came back. Yes we moved lock stock and barrel twice from Los Angeles. But sadly just under a year, I was convinced that we were not on the same page. What a shame, I loved that place.

They finally (about 10 years later) found a guy who thought exactly like they did and is still there. (At least I think, but it has been 2 or 3 years since I had any first hand knowledge)

Herlong is a census-designated place in Lassen County, California.

Herlong is located at the extreme Eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in the southeastern region of Honey Lake Valley, 8 miles (13 km) north of Doyle, at an elevation of 4,114 feet (1,254 m).

 Herlong is located in southern Lassen County near the southeast edge of Honey Lake about 70 miles (110 km) north of Reno, Nevada, and about 45 miles (72 km) south of Susanville. The community is accessible to U.S. Route 395 via Lassen County Route A25 or Lassen County Route A26