"Best of Before #2"

Mt. Hood (taken from plane)
Originally uploaded by ymc47.

I remember this moment very vividly, as it was the day I left the U.S. for Taiwan...and I haven't been back since.

As I flew past eastern Washington toward Seattle/Tacoma International, I saw Mt. Hood (Oregon) looming from afar. It was June, and knowing that Taiwan's sauna-esque weather was awaiting me with open arms, I tried to imagine the alpine air refreshing my lungs, as it would be an experience I would not have for at least a couple of years.

GBA.