>Also, I should note that the specific callout of Pleasanton as a >seaport way back in Exodus 1:3 was an inside joke; at the time >that scene was written, Zoner and I worked in Pleasanton, and >the thought of it being anywhere near the sea amused us too much to >pass up.
It's been a long time since I read NXE, that must have slipped by high school me. =) It being in the middle of a valley threw me this time.