I didn't get as far as I had the previous time -- military roadblock.
Part of the mountain slid off due to an aftershock.

They're only accepting journalist ID or a consular letter to get in. I don't have an ID and I can't get the letter.

I, did, however get into some of the less affected areas to talk with villagers about their lives over the past week, their current situation, etc.

I feel like it shows a side of the story that's not being told.

Not as sensational maybe, but a boulder landing in the kitchen while people are cooking in it is pretty harrowing. No one was injured, either.

"Riding back toward Dujiangyan today. Weather is moving in. Dust and smoke and wind reduced visibility to a few hundred meters. Even less traffic on the roads this time, feels like riding into the end of the world. Police barricade 13km outside Dujiangyan. Checking ID cards. Have a small package on my bike, am let through.

Unsure about the Chenguan expressway, used the access road as before to enter the city.

City is deserted. No longer appears to be a staging area for the choppers. Military camped everywhere. Hundreds of transport trucks.

Made my way through the city, damaged buildings being picked apart, a sort of demolition.

Bodies have been cleared away. Stray animals roam the streets, quiet here.

At the foot of the mountain another barricade, military this time. They ask me to drop my package with the relief pile and go.

I negotiate with them, trying to get up the mountain. Without papers, it's a no go. With better organization comes better control.

Forward operating point now moved to somewhere north of Dujiangyan.

Still, many many medical personnel, military, and aid workers are pushing through toward Hongkou.

Temporary accommodations expanded to cover Dujiangyan stadium. Turning back, surveyed other areas of the city.

Fewer people make the broken buildings loom larger, rubble heaps themselves over two stories tall.

Every street, more military, some divisions wearing masks soaked with chemicals to help with the smell. No idea where the bodies are being taken.

With no way to travel further north, I try traveling toward Wolong. Main routes have access restricted.

Take a service road that reaches into the countryside. One lane, few buildings.

Boulders have gouged terrible paths out of the hillsides.

Past Shuichuancun, road ends. One house, completely leveled. Blue car rests on its side, as if discarded. Crushed, anyway.

Returning to Shuichuancun I speak with the villagers there. They lead me through the village, pointing out damage.

Walls caved in, roofs collapsed.

More disturbing here. More personal. A shed collapsed, killing a hog. Boulder rolled into a kitchen. Destroyed entire wall, people cooking at the time miraculously unhurt.

No inhabitable buildings. People staying under tarpaulins strung between small trees.

No power, no sirens, no helicopters. Buildings that can be repaired are. 3 injured, no deaths. Homeless.

Wonder what it is keeping it together.

Spirit of these people is amazing. Asked what they will do, where they will go.

"Go where? This is our home."