ELIZABETH DIX MITCHELL began school in the bush of Papua New Guinea by correspondence and radio from Sydney, Australia. Returning to America, she enrolled in the Vermont public schools until she left home to for the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Elizabeth attended Pitzer College near Los Angeles for two years before moving to the Northwest. She finished her degree at Evergreen College in Olympia, Washington. Extending her lifestyle westward, Elizabeth and several friends bought one-year exploration air tickets to the Pacific. A Special Delivery begins during this adventure, when Elizabeth fell in love in New Zealand