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Dear Friends and Family, Sorry it's been so long since I've written. When was it I left...June 19th I guess. It's been over 20 days. So back to Oregon... I spent two hours attempting to hitchhike from the gas station there at Tri-city. I was getting a bit frustrated with the whole deal. (at least the weather was nice!) I finally got a ride with a (shifty-eyed and in need of a shower) trucker who was going all the way to San Jose. He turned out to be a really great guy and quite an encouragement. He dropped me off at the rest stop in Dunnigan (about 35 miles north of Sacramento) about 10:30pm. After a couple unsuccessful tries at getting a ride, I scouted around and found a nice field to sleep in (in the process ripping a small hole in my nicest long-sleeve shirt). I was just getting ready to eat my beef-stew MRE (in the main rest area) when a likely-looking driver stopped in. Gene very kindly took me directly to downtown Sacramento. He had actually begun a trip to Oregon that morning and then changed his mind... which is why I had a ride! (thank you, Gene!) He had planned to go to look for lost relatives in (of all places) Tri-city! Downtown Sacramento not being the best part of town to be in at midnight, I was very lucky (blessed) to find a $28/night hotel (my own room with a shower!) right across the street. I didn't sleep to well, with road construction going on directly below my zero-view 4th storey window all night. I arose early and headed out to get my watch repaired, buy traveler's checks, and go to the library (free internet access). I also went to see the California state capitol building. It's been restored, and really is beautiful. The mosaics on the floor and carved wood with the high ceilings made a very good impression. I had gotten a transit map and pass (at a discount... another blessing) but when I reached the south-going bus stop marked on my map, I found myself on a one-way north-going street! I walked to the next street (one way south) and wandered down it in the 100 degree (F) heat. Ugh. I finally came upon a bus stop. Although the bus I needed (56) was not on the sign, I figured it may be cancelled or on another street, and so I would take anything going south. Wonder of wonders, a few minutes later bus 56 came around the corner and stopped! As I hopped on, the bus driver said to me "I don't know why I stopped, this isn't usually my stop!" I know why! The transit got me to within 10 miles of my destination of Galt, Kenny's hometown. I knew that if I could get there I could get a ride to Hume Lake and the wedding. In the sweltering heat, I was dragging, but after a small lunch I hiked the mile or so to the hwy. 99 on-ramp, which is perfectly set up for hitchhiking. I was very glad my pack weighs only 35 lbs! I was picked up almost immediately, and delivered nearly to the doorstep of Kenny's best friend Jake. Jake's family didn't know me, so they were a bit suprised at the appearance of a sweaty backpacker at their door! All went smoothly. Thursday we drove the very hot 2 hours to Hume Lake. It is in the Sequoia Nat'l Forest... a very nice place. Kenny and Jen's wedding Friday was nice, and we all had an enjoyable time. Now, for some reason I got this itch to go sailing. Although there are very few sailboats at Hume Lake, I thought that perhaps if I stayed around a few days I would find one. I never did, but I ended up staying at Hume Lake Christian Camps until July 5th. Hume Lake was a real blessing. Nearly 1100 kids go through there every week. I volunteered my time and knowledge to fix their plastic and aluminum boats, and got in return room and board and much more. It was a time for spiritual recharge, very much needed before my trip here. I got to know all the lifeguarding staff well. Thanks go especially to Geoff, DeAnna, and Mike, Mike, and Shane, my roommates. We had a lot of fun at Hume too. I got to stare at the stars on Lookout Point, slide on the rocks at Stony Creek, go to the campers "opener" performances, and go mountain-biking and "surf-biking" on the lake. My last night we all went to Vista Point to watch the very tiny fireworks in Fresno. I left Hume on a Wednesday. The guards gave me a t-shirt they had signed. I was sad to go and leave my new friends, but excited about travelling. "I have no idea where I'll be tonight!" I hitched with some of the staff down to Fresno. In Fresno I found that there were some problems regarding my flying plans, and nearly went to South America. After a short prayer and a bit of sweating, I managed to hammer out an itinerary which would eventually take me to London. I had to run from the counter to the gate, where I boarded a plane to LA. I left LA (last standby passenger aboard) for JFK/NY at 10pm and didn't sleep for the entire flight. Arriving sleepy in New York at 6:30 am is not the best idea. I latched onto a fellow traveller (an Aussie named Neil) who led me into downtown Manhattan. I have never seen such a place! The buildings are so tall! The people will not look you in the eye. There are so many of them in such a small space that it would just be impossible if one had to accept that all those people are really there. I saw the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, Central Park, and many other amazing and HUGE buildings. I rode the subway all day, and it's just how it seems.... CRAZY! What a wild place! I was exhausted, but luckily I now have relatives in New Jersey (the Thompsons) who took me in. Thank you so much! The Thompsons live in New Jersey, just across from Manhattan, and Mr. Thompson works near Philadelphia, so my next day I spent there. Philadelphia is at least conceivable. I can handle it. Not so tall or so fast. I took an easy day and visited the US mint (where I saw them making our coins, including the new gold dollar), the Liberty Bell, Liberty Hall, and Washington Square. It was breath-taking to stand in the very room and imagine the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution being hammered out! We spent the last day going to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Sadly, the Lady was closed, and all we could do was get a very close view. Thanks once again to the Thompsons! I made it to the airport just in time! My flight left at 6:30 pm (actually 7) and arrived at 7am London time! Jet lag! I dragged myself though the London tube into downtown and say the changing of the guard (only ok) and Speaker's corner (as it was Sunday.) My lodging last night was a hostel near Earl's Ct. The stairways are so tiny, and there are so many identical doors crowded together! London is expensive! I have spent nearly £50, and the conversion rate is about $1.50. Anyway, I have to go before I spend more paying for another hour on this internet terminal. I'm at the Tower of London today and plan to go see St. Peter's. Love you all and pray for me! -Dustin
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