Two days, Six Hundred and Forty miles!

Two days ago, 28th of August 2010 I departed Portland and was on my way East! Desiraé and I stopped at Latourel Falls on the way out, which was awesome! She took dropped me off just off I84 in Biggs, OR, but not before a good lunch at the Full Sail Brewery in Hood River. I stood on the corner of a side walk near the on ramp for I84 with my white board that read "East!" and watched Des drive away. One of the weirdest feelings ever! I felt to vulnerable, but confident as well.

I stood there for all of about 20 minutes, which felt like 6 days and all of America was just driving past me, but eventually a good man in a huge, brand new red F-150 slowed up to me and yelled through the passenger window, "throw it in the back!" (referring to my oversized backpack). His name is Willy, he's an almost retired trucker and experienced hitchhiker! He was the perfect first ride. He knew what all of America looks like and he knew that there are good people out there. He was going to Moses Lake, WA which as about 3 hours from Biggs. I had heard and read negative things about hitching

in Washington, like, like it's as illegal as you can make it, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get so far east and north! We talked some, not a ton, but enough. He told me a lot about the country we were passing through, he shared a little abut his family and I shared some about where I come from. One time, out of silence he asked if I went to church growing up. "Yes", I said. He followed with, "So, I suppose you know what's comin'..." I chuckled a little bit and we continued to talk about Jesus stuff. He told me about his journey with God and how he just can't get enough church. It was wonderful and very

encouraging. We dropped me on the near the truck stop in Moses Lake and drove away. I couldn't have asked for a better first ride. Thanks Willy.

With my sign still reading, "East!" I set up shop under a stop light at a four way stop near the on ramp. This is Washington, not friendly to the idea of hitchhiking, I knew my best shot at not being ticketed would be to stand on the sidewalk and hope for the best. I stood there for about an hour, which felt like 6 weeks and the whole world was driving past me. In Oregon, people would take the time to look at me, but not hear, mostly people just ignored me. But alas, eventually a young women, I'm guessing about my age, was stopped in the left-hand turn lane across the street from me shouted from her window, "Hey man! I'm going to Spokane!"

Her name is Ellen and I know whoever is reading this right know is thinking, "she's crazy!" Maybe, but i would say it was more compassion than insanity. She had driven past me once, went the wrong way, had to come back around and pass me again and was moved because I was still there. She flipped an illegal U-turn and picked me up. She drove me from the intersection of Hwy17 and I90 to just east of Spokane, Cheney, WA (where I stayed with some friends from Twain Harte, but we'll get to that) She was one of the most curious people I have ever met. Once she found out I am a believer in Jesus Christ and studied Theology, she had soooo many questions. I loved it! For about an hour was talked about everything from what Truth is, the afterlife to today's church. She was brought up Mormon and that gave her a good framework for the conversation, but it was good to give her some new ideas and I loved being challenged by her questions. I had blessedly arranged to stay with friends in Cheney and she was gracious enough to drop me at an Exxon station for me to wait. Ellen, never stop seeking Truth; authentic Truth will always be revealed to the authentic seeker. Thanks for the ride :)

My friends, whom I know from Twain Harte EV Free now live in Cheney, WA which is just east of Spokane and through a last ditch effort I got BJ's number and asked if he could put me up for the night. I hadn't talked to these friends in a few years, but I have always known this family to be one of the most generous family's I've ever met. BJ called me back and before I knew it I was in a car with his dad, Jock, driving to his house. BJ and his wife Courtney are in between houses for the week and staying with his parents, so it was a wee bit crowded, but it also meant that their two beautiful children were always around. Roden is 2 and Ella is 1 and I had so much fun with them. That family was so good to me. I bug blow up bed, 3 wonderful meals and they even took me to church yesterday. Thank you so much for taking me in on such short notice. Blessings :)

Jock drove me Coeur d'Alene, ID, about 45 minuets (Thanks Jock!) and dropped me where the Hwy95 meets I90. I wrote, "MIssoula" on my whiteboard, we said our farewells and he was gone. I decided, where I was was not the best place so I walked down onto the interstate and set up right under

exit 13 with my sign up and my thumb out. People were driving really fast, but I felt like they could see me

from far off and there was plenty of stopping room. I was there for about 15 minutes, which, again, felt like for-freaking-ever, but it wasn't long before Adam stopped and offered me a ride. He is a younger guy (27); he described himself as, "bigger, tattooed and had facial hair", but he said he could take me to MIssoula and I was all for that.

We had 2.5 hours and I was looking forward to it. Adam is a good man. We talked about a lot. He had been in the Cost Guard and I had just studied Theology. Part of his story was growing up in the church, but being turned off by the church a few years back and now describes himself as someone who believes in God, but won't necessarily attribute God to a certain religion or visa versa. He was turned off by a mega-church that preached money and he saw how they were skewing Scripture. Later he told me that he now sees all religions as very "malleable". That made me think for a while. I think he's right, unfortunately. I knew I wasn't going to convert him right then and there and also that his church background informe

d his thinking and his language. I could tell that he is a critical thinker and well educated on there topics. These things gave me a freedom to really talk openly with him. We shared struggles, opinions and disagreements and I couldn't have asked for anything more. It felt good to have such a challenging conversation. Adam, thanks for showing me grace :)

Adam dropped me at Muralt's where MT Hwy 93 touches I90 and I barely waited for my brither Carlos to come pick me up. It had been like 3 weeks! Last I saw him was in the Dublin airport when I was coming back to the states. So, it only took me 2 days to get here, to Polson, MT and I am stoked to be here! I'm staying with the Klein's whom I've known since my freshman year at VU. Logan was my roommate our first two years, been to Nor. Ireland with Bonnie, the youngest sister; twice. And Andi, the oldest sibling is married to Carlos! Kris

and Debbie are wonderful people and I wouldn't want to be any place else. I think I might stay a wee while...

I feel like this post was long for only 2 days, but so much happened!!! Remember to follow me on Tweeter :) @LV2XPLR