Big day today!! We are flying to Antarctica, if the weather allows us, that is. Lots of excitement for everybody around here. I am writing this blog comfortable seating on a C-17 plane en route to Antarctica. I just came down from the pilots cabin. That was just awesome!! But I should not get too excited and start from the beginning, since that is a good place to start.
Super Shuttle arrived promptly at 6:45 am. We went back to the CDC. First thing to do was to finish our bags and wear the ECW gear that we need for the flight. To my surprise, we do not need to wear it on the plane, but have it available. I originally thought I would be wearing the parka, but I am not. I decided to wear the boots and pants to save space on the carry on.
The ambiance in the changing room this morning felt like a locker room before the most important game of the season. It seem very quiet, everybody to their thoughts or just trying to wake up. We all laboriously got our gear ready.
Getting ready by wearing the Extreme Cold Weather gear.
We checked our bags just like in any airport the International Antarctic Center's terminal.
About to board at the passenger terminal. Check the bunny boots and wind pants. For obvious reasons I decided not to wear the red parka...
We then crossed the street to the Antarctic Center. The center is is a museum where anyone, going to Antarctica or not, can get an idea of what it is like to travel to Antarctica. They also have penguins and an Antarctic storm simulator that some people say is very cool. We did not go for the tourism just before departing to Antarctica, we went because their cafeteria opens early on flight days and serves a nice breakfast. By now people were more awake and having fun
Rick and Bill after eating some breakfast.
Back to the terminal for another briefing. This time a video warning us of the impending dangers awaiting in the ice. We then hoped on a bus and to the plane!!
Boarding the C-17 to continue the journey.
I thought the plane seats were going to be a lot more uncomfortable. They were pretty nice! We do knead to use our ear plugs, as there is a constant loud hissing. This makes it very hard to have a conversation.
Interior of the plane as travelers make themselves comfortable.
We are lucky to be flying on a C- 17 military cargo plane. As I mentioned on my journal of October 12, the C-17 takes 5 hours as opposed to the C- 130 (7 hours)and the Hercules (8 hours). The crew, which normally is of three and this time of eleven as part of a training mission, has been extremely friendly. One of them, Orial, said they are usually flying to the dessert, so this is a big welcomed change for them. Orial is studying for an online course at a community college back in Washington.
We got a nice brown bag lunch. Two sandwiches, chocolate, apple, cookies, muffin, chips, and water. Not bad, not bad. I asked permission to visit the cabin and got accpeted! I had a wonderful conversation with the third pilot. I will write about that on another entry.
Great visit with the pilots
Fourth pilot?
Here are random pictures of our team at the plan. This five hours have allowed me to catch up with the blogs. We will see what happens once I hit the ice. I predict not much free time ruing the explorations and setting up the lab equipment in the boat.
View from the back of the plane
A nap always helps.
Not many windows, only small ones at the doors. Still able to enjoy the view.