California

 is a Stranger side-mission featured in Red Dead Redemption.

Story
Sam Odessa, a strange Ukrainian man initially found south-east of Gaptooth Breach, claims he is on his way to California so he may forever be remembered by his family as the man who finally made it.

Mission Prerequisites
Before this Stranger will appear on the world map, the player must complete:
 * Bonnie MacFarlane mission: "Women and Cattle"

Mission Objectives
After locating Sam Odessa, the player must:
 * Warn Sam of the danger of Gaptooth Ridge.
 * Locate him again near Cueva Seca.
 * Locate him a third time wandering in Gaptooth Ridge.
 * Locate him a final time near Tumbleweed.
 * Deliver his letter to the Telegraph Office in Armadillo.

Mission Details
This series of Stranger Missions involves finding Sam in different places and watching the resulting story. The general area of all encounters after the first are marked on your map, although his exact location must be found by searching.

Already, Odessa's mind is beginning to slip, as he talks about things such as eating cacti. Your first encounter with Sam is next to a rock to the directly south of the second " H " in Gaptooth Breach, just off the road. If you have trouble finding him listen for his harmonica. The best time to find him is during the day, however he still appears at night (has been sighted at 8:50pm, 11:00pm, 1:00am and 2:00am).


 * Wait a few days or save game and reload, and the second encounter happens just north of Cueva Seca, to the west of the words 'Gaptooth Ridge' on your map - He can be found on the small northen road leading in and out of Cueva Seca, near a group of 3 rocks.
 * To get to the third encounter, zoom in on the word Tumbleweed (on your map), follow the road that goes through a canyon North from the letter D in Tumbleweed and you will find him on the side of the road on the right (poking the ground with a stick). Marston suggests he take Sam into town as he doesn't look well, but Sam pulls a gun on Marston and then flees.
 * The fourth and final encounter with Sam is to the south of Tumbleweed, where you'll find his dead body being eaten by a Vulture with another circling just above. Marston finds $27 and a letter to his family on his body. Travel to Armadillo to mail the letter.

Mission Unlockables

 * Treasure Hunter Outfit scrap

Sam's Letter
The letter found on Sam's dead body can be found in the "kit" area of your satchel. It can be read like a Newspaper or Wanted Poster. It says...

"My Darling Wife,

Not a day goes by when I don't think about you and our beautiful baby boy. It is now many weeks since we parted. Precisely how long, I don't know. Time, once so predictable and reliable, has slipped away from me. I know how callous my abrupt departure in the dead of night must have appeared, and for that I am truly sorry, but I hope you will find it in your heart one day to forgive me. For It was not a choice to leave, but rather an obligation. My grandfather came to this country with a dream; a dream that was passed down to me, that is in my blood, in my very soul. I always believed it was my duty to realize that dream, to complete a journey that started in Odessa, by the black sea, three generations ago, but I have lost sight of what it is, if I ever knew at all. I am headed West towards the ocean, but I'm not sure why anymore. Day after day, the Sun beats down on me in this godforsaken desert, relentless and mocking. Every step I take forward, I seem to get further away. I thought this was my destiny, and perhaps it is. Maybe we are condemned to walk in circles, chasing the skyline. Maybe it is all a lie. Oh this is a terrible land of broken promises.

I had everything and gave it up in the pursuit of nothing. I fear I have made a terrible mistake, but there is no way back now.

Forever yours,

Sam"