A journey to see "The Angels"

Oregon was incredible! I was delighted to leave around 6 pm.  This way, unknowingly I would have the opportunity to pass by the magnificent mass of formed dirt they call Mount Shasta at DAWN! Ugh, the beauty is indescribable!

 

 

 

 This is a 360 view just past the marker for the Oregon trail.

Yes, those are camera straps! Film shots are coming soon.

After being in the sun all day I was completely exhausted.  I felt like sleeping as soon as I got in the car but the views kept me entertained and awake.

I landed in Sacramento around 1:30 am.

When I woke up it was 108 degrees outside! Mr. Pigglesworth was not having it. Piggie pool round two was necessary!  This time Emu-head decided he was going to join in.

After this, we scooped up all the cousins in Sacramento and spent a few hours at the river in Columa. Columa is big for it's GOLD and METEORITE! Yep, meteorite, dust that fell from a meteor when it crashed into the earth many miles away a just few months earlier.  Pretty cool, right?

The last surprise from this trip is that cousin Alisa would be joining my on my travels back to LA.  We packed the car said our goodbyes and left Sacramento around 9 pm.  This would put us back in LA around 3 am, except there was construction the whole way home.  We didn't arrive until 4 am.  I slept about three hours.  I was so happy to be back "home" on the couch at my friends' house. I couldn't wait to say good morning and start getting everything ready for an 11 am departure to begin my cross country/around the world trip the next day!

 My first task of the day would be to repack my three suitcases into one, small, lightweight backpack. (Thanks for your help cousin! You helped me keep my focus and I appreciated it.)  Second errand, to take Alisa and pick my mom up from the mechanic so mom can help me move my cars to her house for semi-permanent storage!

My mom and her second cousin, Alisa hadn't seen each other in almost 20 years! That's nuts!  So, I didn't tell my mom Alisa would be joining me. This way I could see the look on her face!  As my mom was introducing me to her mechanic, I said, "hi George. Nice to meet you.  This is my friend Alisa." I guess my mom didn't even see anyone else in the car.  My mom stooped into the car, her reaction was a little late because she had to realize it wasn't just my friend but her long lost cousin.  As soon as that clicked in her brain her mouth immediately dropped wide open and it was all hugs. Yes!! I did my part!

The three of us spent the rest of the day running my lame errands.  Going to the bank, buying one more ring to fake people into thinking I'm married while I'm on the road, picking my bike up and delivering it to a friend's house so they can use it while i'm gone and junk like that.

All and all a very successful two days!  Awesome times!

A successful week and another 471 miles!

The fourth of July was a success. I spent the afternoon swimming with my third cousins and picking wild blackberries in the driveway with Ariannah who is about to be nine.  I have now met her three whole times. 

 Later, I had a ball observing my favorite swine, Mr. Pigglesworth, in his "piggie pool" 

and said what's up to the prehistoric bird they call an emu being is goofy, bird-brained self. 

Much later, I went to celebrate the evening with more CouchSurfers in Roseville. I from this met another group of great people had a wonderful time with them.

The next day I slept in a bit, hung out and then went to a youth church group called "Epic Life" with my cousin Alisa and her close friend Laura. I enjoyed the people and the friendly, open vibe. (No, it wasn't stuffy and they didn't mention going to hell.) I was a bit in La La Land because I kind of felt like I should have been speaking on this exact topic. Maybe thats a little over confident of me. :/ While in the clouds I had a moment of sincere clarity. I can't wait to share my idea with someone when I get back to LA. Thanks Epic Life peeps for the amazing blessings you wished upon my travels, for your tremendous hearts and the rad T-shirt to remind me that *I* have an epic life!

The next morning I finally found the courage to pick up the phone and Skype my cousins in Sweden. (I had been putting it off for a few days because I was nervous.) We chatted for a bit then I passed the phone around to my cousins who are also related and maybe had never talked to each other before. The best part of this whole scenario was when my 91 year old great aunt Astrid got on the phone, as sharp as a tack and spoke Swedish as if she never skipped a day. I must admit; I shed a tear or two of happiness. I was so taken back by the greatness of what had just occurred. Aunt Astrid is the only one left out of all her siblings.

I finished packing my things then hit the road! I remembered northern California and Oregon being gorgeous but, I guess I forgot just HOW gorgeous it really is. California really is golden at this time of year with lush green pastures scattered across the horizon and snow capped mountain ranges in the very far distance. There were olive trees, tomatoes, sunflowers, apples, hay, many more crops I'm sure, trains, bees and honey.

That's the motto baby, YOLO!

By the time I made it to Shasta Lake I couldn't take it any longer! I HAD to stop! I wanted to jump in the lake and go swim SO bad on such a hot day but I ruled that out since I would be swimming alone, it was probably unsafe and I still had somewhere to be. Don't worry gigantic lake. I'll be back for you before you know it!

I moseyed my way through the Oregon forest at sunset and finally arrived 9 or 10 hours later at my destination!

Yay!!! My big brother Timmy who I hadn't seen in 15 or 16 years greeted me with the hugest hug! I then met his gorgeous lady Emily and my two nieces who were supposed to be sleeping, for the first time. They are everything I thought they would be via Facebook yet better!

Timmy and I spent the evening sharing 15 years of stories, wrestling, play fighting, hugging, laughing, being ridiculous and bonding. It was definitely worth the drive and the financial investment coming to visit! Now, to make sure it won't be another 14 years or two for that matter.

Stay tuned! More stories from Oregon coming up after the commercial break!

Driving through Yolo County

July 3rd, 447 miles!

Today was a grand success! I wrapped up everything in LA this morning and hit the road. 

447 miles later and I have arrived!
I can't wait until the morning to see the little munchkins! 

From last night: Peace LA, be back soon.

Sacramento bound!

 

My mobile home!

Wide open spaces, new places and new faces.

 

Oh Lord, Stuck in Lodi again! #CreedenceClearwater

This is the town right next door to where I went to elementary school. 

Sactown, Oregon and back down!

Things are moving right along. The plans to go see both my cousins and my brother are locked in! I'm headed to Sacramento for a few days then off to Oregon. I'm so excited to meet my gorgeous nieces, see my brother for the first time in about 14 years, meet his lovely lady, spend fourth of July by a river with my cousins and play with the rugrats before they're all grown up!

This independence day will be one I won't forget, as it is a celebration of my independence and a farewell celebration from my homeland.

It's been hard to try to divide my time and hang out with everyone one last time before my departure.  There are many people that I haven't had the chance to see yet. My time is becoming more and more limited. Last night I officially said "bye" to two of my closest friends who are flying to the midwest. The thought of not seeing them in a very long time saddens me. A few tears were shed. But!.. I have an awesome new hammock to relax in an think about how awesome they are on my trip! All I need to do now is get to a place with palm trees so it will be warm enough to use it!

 

Above one of my cousin's emu. He and his mom saved some eggs from being destroyed and rotated them every 6 or 8 hours in an incubator for weeks on end. They're such intriguing, wacky animals. 

I'm doing my best to wrap things up here in the states and be as prepared as possible. Saturday morning I bought a youth pass through STAtravel.com for $28. That's supposed to save me a ton of money on flights, hostels etc.. Hopefully it will come in handy.

Yesterday I finished house sitting and said bye to my temporary doggie. He's a smart dog and seemed pretty bummed that was I leaving.  We had become good friends.

I've been trying to narrow down my possessions. When I repacked all my stuff I went from backpack and two small suitcases down to a backpack and one small suitcase.  It's progress and I think this is a good way to take what I'll actually NEED and not everything I want to take. It will be weird only having ONE bag and nothing else. 

 

 These  are a couple maps to help describe how BIG this trip is going to be for me. Obviously, the places I've been are in pink. On the larger scale of things, I really HAVEN'T traveled! I can only imagine how much I will learn while I am gone and what a different perspective I will have.