"I left the city today (Wednesday) to get a better idea of the situation. I rode out of Chengdu toward Dujiangyan.

Almost all traffic was headed out of the city, lanes clogged; filling stations that were still open had lines that extended for blocks. Nearer the center, the extent of the destruction was obvious.

I came into Dujiangyan off of an access road, all of the roads leading to and away from the expressway were completely blocked by traffic, military vehicles, mobile aid stations.

Choppers were touching comstantly to deliver

supplies. I made my way farther in; total chaos.

The extent is unbelieveable. Some buildings leveled, others undamaged. People everywhere, living everywhere, crying.

Refugee-type camps set up amid the red cross tents, enormous piles of rubble, garbage etc. Half destroyed buildings everywhere, some shifting.

Dozens of cranes, dozers, backhoes, etc. picking through the rubble, unburied bodies in the street.

Others coming out of the wreckage continually, some survivors, some worse. Field hospitals occupying several open areas.

Fortunately rain has stopped for now, fear that the sun and the cooler temperatures at night will complicate the situation.

Military seems to be making progress. Saw several hundred rescue workers deployed, marching military-style in orange jumpsuits.

Tried to get deeper into the zone, was stopped in a village above Dujiangyan.

Road marginally passable. Old wooden construction all flattened esp. buildings built on the hillsides. Boulders partially blocking the road.

A continuous stream of people with whatever they could salvage walking toward the camps, sense of community the only armor against the night.

Large-scale aid does not seem to have reached the villages.

Turned back to Dujiangyan and worked my way around Qingchengshan.

Not as damaged there, but much the same situation as DJY. People everywhere, short on supplies of food, water, blankets, first aid. The far side of Qingchengshan less damaged. I talked with locals for an hour; said the only aid received so far is water and rice. No power, no gas, no running water, no telephone.

The quake has destroyed everything they own.

Only upside was a girl discovered a freezer with ice cream that had not unthawed. Small miracle. "