The drive south from Mendocino was uneventful, but hot. Napa valley was pretty, but I was focused on the destination. I had arranged with Dennis and Victoria Shirley, to leave my car at their house, and recuperate in their spare room after the trip. I had only a general idea where their house was, and I had never actually met Victoria. So here I was taking advantage of their hospitality, and I'm all hot and sweaty from a day on the road. I was a bit nervous as I rang the bell. My fears were quickly put to rest, and I found them most gracious and comfortable. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, and they even found me a sporting goods store, where I could pick up some last minute must-have's. I ended up staying up much too late talking with Dennis. I'm sure I'll pay for this in jet-lag over the next few days. In the morning, the BART efficiently gets me to the airport on time.

Airport checkin is a zoo. I've come to expect that, and I usually get what I expect. Hurry up. Line up. Wait. Go back to step one. Smile. Amid all this, lots of hugs as I meet old friends and new, lots of patient listening, as we each take turns expressing our own flavor of nervousness. Finally, we're on the plane, and on our way.

A few hours into the flight, I see people crowded around a window looking out. I take a peek, and see a mountain through the haze. Two years ago, the last time I was on this flight, it was at this point that my camera decided to cease functioning. This time, I had brought a newly-purchased digital camera. Should I tempt fate? There was only one way to find out. That might be Mt. McKinley out there, who knows?

By this time, the nervousness we felt in the airport is mostly dissipated, and people are in good spirits and getting acquainted with each other. Stan takes a walk through the plane, much more relaxed now, with the first round of logistics now behind him. I actually caught Aribert for once without his camera!

We have about a thirteen hour flight, during which the sun never sets, and we land in Beijing about twenty-eight hours after we took off!