Jim writes our update today...

"The Adventure Continues"  Friday 6/27/03  Redding, CA (see Redding).   After two refreshing hours of sleep and much packing, un-packing to get down to maximum weight limits, Barbara drove David and Jim to the Redding airport.  Everything seemed to fit and checkout so we fired up and were airborne at 9:00am.  Following a route between Mt Shasta and Mt Lassen, over Burney and Fall River Mills, Alturas and Lakeview, we decided to stop at Burns, Oregon to stretch and call one of Barbara's cousins who runs a nearby ranch.  It is a great place to stop for gas and friendly service if you are in the area.  Then off again to Caldwell, Idaho landing at 3:00pm and  410 miles of wonderful western scenery.  It was a good flight with all of the planning numbers and fuel consumption working out just right.  We were met at the plane by Earl and Carol and went with them back to their lovely home where we had a nice dinner and much excited visiting about the trip that would begin in earnest with both planes on Sunday morning, June 29th.  Our Passports with the official Russian Visas were waiting for us at the Roemers' so most of the forms and papers seem to finally be in order.

Jim and Barbara at the Redding Airport.  We drove the car onto the field and started shoving the gear in.