11/26/2008
Yesterday was HUGE! I said my last "good-byes” to friends and family. Trusted that my 136 pounds of carefully packed equipment would make it through airport security (including the precious 129 expedition flags!). And, then I kissed my loving wife good-bye for 2 months.
I need to pause for a moment and explain that I met my wife Jan on her first day of college (I was the experienced sophomore and she was the brand new freshmen). I had no idea how she would change my life and keep me out of trouble. Almost every success I have enjoyed for the last 30 years, including marriage, parenting, career choice, working at Camp Talooli and being selected as a PolarTREC teacher is directly because of the support and love she has given me. As I walked through the security checkpoint towards my gate at the airport, I knew we were embarking on this adventure together. And, like almost everything we do together two things were true; first, we agreed to do it because it was a way to help kids, and second, I knew Jan would cry. For a photo of my family check out my 3/23 journal at http://www.polartrec.com/node/3609
…now, back to our story…
After packing one duffle bag with 50 pounds of personal gear and clothing, another crate with 50 pounds of underwater camera gear and supplies, an 18 pound daypack and an 18 pound laptop/camera case, I loaded them into the car and was ready for the airport. The only thing left to do was put Santa on the roof. Every year, after Thanksgiving, I mount a plastic, light-up Santa/sleigh/reindeer on the roof or our house. My only neighbor, Mrs. Lee always looks forward to it. This year I had to put Santa up a little early because I will be gone for Thanksgiving (and Christmas and New Years). With a foot of snow on the ground and more falling, I went up the ladder. Last job done.
Every year I put santa's sleigh up on the roof of our house. Just before I left for the airport, I climbed the ladder in the snow.
My flights from Syracuse to Chicago and on to Miami were perfect. Then just before we were to board the 11:15pm overnight flight to Montevideo, Uruguay, the flight was cancelled and we were rebooked for the same flight on the next evening. The airlines paid for food and lodging at a very nice hotel and that is where I am right now. This gave me a day to finally sleep in a little and catch up on some computer work. I was also able to enjoy a beautiful 80°F day. I am not concerned with the cold weather during the weeks the Oden will spend cutting through the sea ice but I am the kind of person who always notices the plants and animals which define the climate of where you are. Soon I will be in a place with no land and no land plants. Here in Miami, I appreciate palm trees and grass. I started out at 43°N latitude and now I am at 26° N. Tomorrow at this time I will have crossed the equator and arrive at Montevideo in South America at 34.5° S.
The hotel pool has a waterfall cascade that drops about 4 meters into the pool. Thats a coconut palm in the background
Native of South America, Bougainvillea has now become a popular flowering shub throughout the tropics. The actual flower is the small white part in the middle, surrounded by bright red bracts.
Everywhere I have been in the tropics I see people growing papaya trees in their yards for the wonderful fruit they produce. I have even grown them from seeds in the sunroom of my house.
**What I wonderful, amazing and diverse world this is.
Take care, have fun & make memories,
Jeff Peneston **