We started toward the airport today

about 8:30 a.m. for a 1:35 p.m. flight. With 2 in the car, we got to use the carpool lane on the highways, which helped considerably. Got to the airport a bit earlier than anticipated, checked in, and then waited to board the plane to Auckland, where my sister Ruth (and our 1st followsummer of 2004!!) will be waiting for us when we land at midnight tomorrow Auckland time. From the plane we had the most amazing view of Santa Catalina, an island off the coast of LA, and some beautiful cloudscapes.

We are hurtling towards the date line at a land speed of about 905 km/hr and an altitude about 11,000 meters. The Marquesas Islands are about 1477 km to our south east and we are about equal distance between the Hawaiian Islands and Hiva Oa at approximately 1574 km and over 5000 km from our departure at LA.

The time is about 4:32 p.m. in Auckland on Wednesday Jan the 7th, 6 hours into the flight, and another 7 to go. Our tired old body clocks tell us that it is still January the 6th in LA. This is a very long flight, despite Melanie, the flight attendant, who is doing her best to make it a very enjoyable (read: liquid) flight, and who is so excited about us being on our honeymoon that every time she talks to us she gushes.