Departure

I write tonight from LAX, less than three hours before leaving. I've
been in Los Angeles since my train arrived early this morning. It was
an interesting ride, to say the least.

I spent most of the day bumbling around LA, trying to accomplish a few
last minute errands. Even simple task like finding a place to get an
omelet and mailing a few letters became rather complicated from being
on my own in a strange place. And that was still with people speaking
the same language I do! At least I could relax in the evening while a
local photographer friend, Steve Crise, showed me around.

We watched the sun set while standing on the tender of ex-Santa Fe
steam engine 3751, a rather appropriate place. The next time I see the
sun, I will be in China, and it will be Friday, not Thursday, morning.
3751 is a preserved locomotive brought out occassionally for fan
trips. Its golden days ended 50 years ago. Where I'm going, the sun is
dropping fast, but not quite gone, on a few places where steam power
still reigns. With a little luck and a safe flight, I'll soon be
writing from there.