14 Dec 2008

Stacy Writing

It is unbelievable how long it can take to pack everything up.  Or maybe it is unbelievable how short a time it takes to transfer our homey busy crowded workspace into a sterile echoingly empty space ready for the next science group to use.  Either way, we are still working on getting everything organized and into well protected boxes.  Every item is separated into Do Not Freeze or Can Freeze, and then divided into things that stay here for use next year, things that have to get home in the next few weeks so we can keep working, and things that we can do without for the next three months.  Then there are also samples, some of which are Keep Frozen or Keep Refrigerated, and others that have to travel as Hazardous because of the ethanol preservative.

One of my favorite pictures from this season - diving with SCINI!

One of my least favorite pictures from this year, all our gear in boxes as we get ready to leave.

But it is also a Sunday, so we take time for brunch and no one is required to work – though they all do, dedicated team that we are.  Cameo and Bob are working on SARA, the ROV that her class built, but that got damaged in transit.  Cameo has been soldering connectors and injecting foam into floats and before long, SARA is ready for a tank test.  Will we be able to squeeze in one last mission on our last day, tomorrow?

Cameo perfecting her soldering skills and SARA at the same time.

This is my last journal for the season, so I want to take the time to thank you for your interest, your support, your help.  Everyone has a different reason that they are reading this, but all of you have contributed to our success, directly or indirectly, and we appreciate it.  I am very lucky to be working in such a magical place, with such talented people, and I hope that the work that we are doing will give back a little to the planet in the end.

A sculpture created by William Tinus called Tears of Erebus. The quote that goes with it is " Erebus is saddened, not because of the size of our footprint, but because of how dirty our feet are."

The real Mt. Erebus, in all glory, from the barranca near Heald Island.

Small footprints.

I hope you have a satisfying day – as I have!
Smiles, Stacy