Darci, Even though Snow Mountain and the other monstrous peaks that keep it in eternal company are behind me now, its memory can never fade. With a touch of sadness, I must admit that I will likely never again find such a overwhelming sight in my remaining years here on this planet. The moment in our trek that we crested the pass that had been our goal for two days, and stood in the full presence of Snow Mountain,we actually …

Darci, I am writing this from a beautiful and delightful little city called Lijiang. You might think of it as the Jackson Hole of China. It is far, far removed from the grimy and crowded dens of noise and unwashed masses I am used to seeing in most cities here in the “wild west.” At this moment I am reclining in the open and airy front lobby of the Oak Garden Inn just inside the original ancient market area. The …

Darci, My travels throughout the eastern half of China these past five weeks have found me going in a huge circle that took me as far west as Tibet, as far south as Hong Kong, as far north as Beijing, and as far east as the Yellow Sea. I’ve traveled probably well over six thousand miles in total via private cars, a filthy sleeper bus, more than half a dozen domestic airliners, a couple of boats, too many taxis, and …

Darci, Former China premier Chairman Mao once said that it was the “responsibility” of the Chinese people to “Love the Great Wall.” To him, the 4,000-mile-long Great Wall symbolized not only the tremendous potential of collective Chinese spirit and thought but also the grandeur of a national history unmatched in length and riches and achievements. To Mao, the Wall was a highly visible example of what China was capable of when it took command of its millions of individual talents …