While a group of Julian residents would like to see them returned to their original location, Caltrans officials say that won't happen because the crosses were on state-owned property.

Early Tuesday morning, Caltrans crews removed the crosses from their location.

"I still think with a little imagination we could find something that's usable," said Paul Kenis.

Kenis owns 120 acres of land just south of Julian. He purchased the property in 1984 and it is now mostly brush and wild vegetation with a few trees.

"This land is pretty unusable," he said.

However, the land has great views toward the desert, and on a clear day a visitor can see for miles beyond the mountains.

Kenis' land is also next to state property, but he said he can have the crosses placed anywhere on his property.

"I like to make people happy. I'll make one, two, three people happy for sure," he said.

Supporters of the crosses are thrilled with the possibilities.

Right now, the crosses sit in a Caltrans warehouse. They are safe and away from the elements.

However, Caltrans officials say they are not sold on the idea of putting the crosses on Kenis' property.

Instead, Caltrans wants to keep its original deal with Hillside Community Church in Julian, which had agreed to take the crosses if they could not remain at the original site.

Caltrans said pastor Rick Hill and the church can do whatever they want after they get the crosses.

"I can't speak for him, but I could not imagine him not just taking the crosses from Caltrans and 'here you go,'" said cross supporter Dorinda Smith.

Residents like Smith said they like the idea of putting the crosses on Kenis' property.

"There's several spots on it ... that would beautiful spots to put up the crosses," said Smith.

As for Kenis, he's ready to go.

"Right now, we'll use the old Nike motto 'Just Do It,'" said Kenis.

Official surveys have to be done on Kenis' land to draw exact property lines before any work can be done.

Caltrans has not indicated when it will turn the crosses over to Hillside Community Church.

Hill could not be reached for comment on the matter.