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Dear Friends and Family, Last you heard from me I was just arriving in San Diego to take up life where I left off. Well, a lot has happened since then, but not too much of note. I did get to take a couple day trips to Mexico, but with work and school I find I have very little time. Such is life... I've been able to spend time with old friends and make some new ones. Living in the VW bus has been going pretty well, and I had become quite comfortable. It feels like I'm back "home" as much as I ever am, but this won't be home for much longer! I had planned to spend the next few years in San Diego working as a mechanic for AiRepair and going to school to finish my certification as an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (the official license of an airplane mechanic.) In the meantime I had hoped to begin my pilot's training and save a little money for a bit of travelling, but Someone had different plans. Due to a slump in business at AiRepair I was laid off on March 23. I was offered a good job installing aircraft radios immediately, but it requires a commitment for a year or more. I seriously thought about it, but now that I have no obligations here in San Diego I decided I should consider all of the options. And that brings us to now... I will soon be moving to Alaska to take a job as a mechanic with Lake Clark Air in the Lake Clark National Park, about 120 miles west of Anchorage across the Cook Inlet. Although the job is most likely seasonal, from June through October, it should be quite an experience! I will be finishing my schooling for my Airframe license when school gets out at the end of May, testing for the license, and then driving to Alaska. I plan to stop in Oregon to attend my cousin's wedding and switch to my yellow car, which I trust a little more for the remaining 3000 mile trip. I think I will learn more at Lake Clark Air than I could through another year of schooling. Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has actually sent mechanics there in the past to get practical experience. Because of the type of aircraft, the type of repairs, and the environment I will become accustomed to many of the situations I may one day face in missionary work. The 4000-mile journey from San Diego to Anchorage could be interesting, and I will let you know how it goes. For now... consider the possibilities! -Dustin
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