The Desert Has Arrived - 143 kilometers
QingShui -- Wed, Aug 3, 2005

Today was our first trek through a real, sandy desert -- including the sand dunes and running out of water... The sky and scenery has been incredible the past three days -- arid landscapes with mountains to our side. I kind of think of Gansu as the Kansas of China, except with mountains and more muslims... I mean they do grow a lot of wheat and corn out here (they actually use large machinery -- unlike the ox driven type we saw in the east). I've been told that Gansu is the middle of continguous China -- just like Kansas in America. Ok there aren't many similarities but it makes me happy to think there are. Missing all of you -- and yes Mom I will bring more water next time... ;)