Captain's Log

The expedition leaves tomorrow, and throughout the camp there is an air of tension. The animals, perhaps sensing that they will not be included in the next leg of the journey, are anxious and require more attention than usual. The camp will be maintained in our absence by a few trusty colleagues, who will care for the smaller animals and botanical specimens. The dog will leave with us tomorrow morning, but will travel only a short distance. He will be left at the Bone-a-Fide Dog Ranch, where we will change directions and set a course for the airport.

It will be a relief upon our return to find the camp intact and all of the animals well, for I am quite attached to them, and it pains me to leave them behind. But for now I must turn my thoughts forward to the expedition. It has been many years since this partnership engaged on a project involving such distances, and never have we undertaken a mission of such significance. Our plans are well laid, the support team is experienced and the intrepid Mrs. Dao has gone ahead to scout the trail. Yet we will both be required to perform our best under adverse and unpredictable conditions for we are chasing a prize greater than Lewis and Clark could have dreamed.

We depart in less than twenty-four hours, but much remains to be done. Supplies are all in, but not prepared for transport. The camp is scattered with packages and the debris of preparation. It is only past experience that allows me to believe such a mess will in a few short hours collapse itself into four or fewer cases, plus one bag each to carry upon our person. I check and cross check multiple lists to ensure nothing is forgotten. We will be able to restock many items along the way, but there will be no turning back for anything that is left behind. My partner Chris, though less systematic in his approach, is also busy pulling together loose ends. I do not discern the method to his exertions; still I know from long years of our work together that in the end he will be the better prepared of the two of us.

Although the task at hand is immense, there is no doubt that we will obtain our objective. Compounded with our nervous fears is also excitement and we are anxious to begin. By this time tomorrow we will be well on our way, and then all will be well.