Thanks Jules. I just can't get this tragedy out of my mind.

Maryam, my mom lives in Grants Pass and used to live in Merlin near where the Kims got stranded.  She said earlier today that it would be a miracle if James Kim were found alive, with the cold weather conditions up there.  Even though I didn't know JK, and deep down inside I felt my mom was probably right, I still held out hope that there would be some kind of miracle for this man.   I was still very heartbroken to read that there was not a happy ending to this story and can only imagine how devastated his friends and family must be right now.

I was driving home tonight and crying most of the way thinking how James Kim died trying to find help for his family. I just can't imagine the pain and I am so sorry they found him so late. As I am writing these words tears well up in my eyes again. It is such a sad sad day.

I think there are a lot of us grieving for this man we never met -- but, among geeks, probably read without noticing. For me the arbitrariness and cascade of mistakes and poor luck that led to his death are painful to think about. How often have I taken my wife and two daughters out in our own silver station wagon on vacation, sometimes along roads not well traveled, and without many supplies in case things go wrong?

Sure, we've never holidayed in Oregon in the winter, but we've gone from the I5 to the coast on a similar, more northerly route every summer for years. We live in B.C., where roads can be even more treacherous and remote. I can't help thinking, in other circumstances, that it could have been us. And to imagine how that terrible week and a half transpired for the Kims. Oh.