The day Erin and crew stopped filming the first segment of their documentary on my walk, a California Highway Patrolman told me I was not permitted to walk on California's highways! I told him that I had done much research and U.S. 395 did not become limited access highway until Carson City, Nevada. I also assured him that I wasn't questioning his facts, as I was assured his expertise in the matter of California's highway laws far exceeded my own (sucking up). The trooper answered, " Well... uh... yeah... uh.... technically... yes." Now I would have thought, in such a matter, technically is the only issue. He actually went on to say this, "Well, that is true, but in our (California troopers) mind... pedestrians should not travel on major California highways as it is way too dangerous!" I assured him I understood and appreciated his concern (more sucking up) but after nearly 22,000 miles of walking America's highways (third time on California's) I had become aware of the dangers. And, when he motioned me over to his side of the road, I had a blind curve to each side of me ( which he paid no mind to) and I was nearly hit trying to get across as he kept insisting I do as soon as possible! he was very young and he had a crew-cut. I once had another CHP yell at me on his loudspeaker to get off HIS highway! I'm sure many California tax payers would argue that proclamation. Maybe it's an indoctrination procedure they do with them in their initial training? You know, like telling them to treat it like their highway, take it personal, that kinda' thing?? I have also have been treated very kindly by some CHP, most, pass me without paying any attention to me at all. I have noticed that local police and county deputies are much more likely to wave than CHP. The nicest troopers I've ever encountered have been in Nevada and Florida... particularly in Nevada.

Just past Gardnerville-Minden, California, A young man pulled up next to me just as I had sat down for a break from fighting the fierce wind and handed me a large paper sack. "Here's your lunch." he said. I thanked him and he drove off without another word. The sack contained, a big ham and cheese sandwich, a large portion of sliced apples and cheddar cheese chunks, a bag of chips, two cupcakes, a large Gatorade, a large water, two mints, and a book of matches! Obviously, his mother had taught him well! Wow, did that satisfy my hunger and... my heart!

!Met a young man named Joe from Redding, CA. He insisted on taking me to lunch and we spoke for a few hours. He had just gone home to Nevada for a family reunion and while there, his childhood friend had killed himself. We had a lot to talk about..... A very fine young man was Joe Grim!! I thoroughly enjoyed his company.

Near Susanville, I stopped at a mobile home to ask if they thought it might be okay to pitch my tent in back of the Mormon building across the street from them. A young man told me he wasn't sure who owned the sge brush filled field behind the building, but he was betting it would be okay. I first looked behind the building to see if there were any cars present so as to ask someone permission. There were no cars, so I never got closer than about 30' to the Mormon  structure. I proceeded about a 100' into the field behind the building and just as I was preparing to stake my tent, I heard a voice behind me, "Sir, would you come over here please?" It was Deputy McArvan of the Lassen County Sheriff's Department. He was standing at the edge of the field I was in. So, I obeyed (he has a gun) and walked over and gave him my card and proudly handed him my Sunshine State drivers license. "You're certainly a long way from home!" He said. He told me that the reason he was there, someone had called and said they saw me enter the Mormon establishment! I said, "That sir... never happened! And I'm betting the building is locked anyway." He answered with, "I'm betting you're right." He walked through all the snagged sage brush and over-growth to investigate my campsite. He was very friendly and interested in my journey. I gave him my card and he told me he didn't know who the property belonged to, but he saw no harm in me staying there the night. And so I did... in spite of the fact, there was a known liar living nearby. 

Near Litchfield, a young lady stopped and handed me two hot dogs and a fountain coke! See why I love life so much!

Yesterday, Doria, the young photographer I met earlier on the road in the desert, from L.A., drove up with her boyfriend Greg, (She kept whispering behind his back, "He's a keeper!" I strongly agree with her!) so she could interview me for a one of her class projects at UCLA. When she and Greg arrived, they joined me and an off duty Lassen County deputy and his father in searching for my cell phone. I had been up much of the night looking for it and then had continued the hunt at 6:00 am that morning... without any luck! I was most definitely concerned! The off duty deputy had stopped because his partner Deputy Mc Arvan, had told him of me. The five of us searched my campsite for several minutes... to no avail! Just after the deputy and his father had left, Greg spotted my phone at about eye-level... in a tree! Greg is a psychiatrist and thus... very logical in his thinking ( Doria is whispering behind him, "He's a keeper!") and so, he surmised that hours had been spent looking on the ground in the small area without results, sooooo.... it must be off the ground! I LOVE Greg!!!! Greg saved my life... he found my phone!!! Now, I may need to go to Greg's couch so we can find out how in the hell that cell phone ended up in that damn tree!!
I had actually walked about twenty miles past Susanville but I decided to ride back to Susanville (still don't like going backwards) and take Rt. 36 to Rt. 44 because the Lassen County deputy told me it was much more scenic than the high-desert terrain I was so very tired of, on my present route of U.S. 395. I will eventually switch back to 395... my Gemini self thinks?? Greg insisted on getting me a room in Susanville and buying my dinner (And Doria was behind him whispering...... ) They spent even more time with me in my motel room before they headed back on their 12 hour trip home to L.A. What a wonderful time we had! Greg, THANK YOU FOR FINDING MY PHONE!!!! Thank you and Doria for everything... particularly for... believing in me!!!

Some stills from the filming of the Love Life documentary may be viewed at www.lovelifefilm.com Eventually there will be some film clips posted as well.