Journal Entry

LAX

This morning my wife and daughter dropped me off at the Salt Lake City Airport. I have been on other trips before but none longer than 10 days. It felt different today saying goodbye for what will be more than a month. I will miss them a lot. I am lucky to have such a supportive family.

I arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport at about 5:00 pm and I don't depart for Auckland until 11:00 pm. I have met up with two other members of our research team: Scott George and Andy Thompson. Andy and I will be flying to Auckland and then on to Christchurch, New Zealand; Scott flies to Syndey, Australia first, then to Christchurch. This will be Andy's fourth deployment to Antarctica and it is mine and Scott's first. We are all excited for our expedition. Scott and Andy are both PhD students working with Byron Adams at Brigham Young University.

At LAX with some team membersAndy Thompson, Scott George, and Josh Heward at LAX on the way to Antarctica.

For the last few months it has felt surreal that I would be going to Antarctica. Today it is finally starting to feel real. If all goes well, I will be there in just a couple of days. I am happy and excited.

Comments

Tue, 12/27/2016 - 15:29

Cara Pekarcik

Josh - Good luck on your trip! I look forward to reading your journals and learning more about the Dry Valleys and the tardigrades!

Fri, 12/30/2016 - 12:45

MaggieKane

Have a great trip and enjoy every minute! We will all be along "with you" and can't wait to learn from you!

Mon, 01/02/2017 - 06:22

Nalene Hilton

I am so grateful for you as a co-teacher, for your passion, example and dedication. I know that all of us as teachers and students look to that example and are inspired. Thank You !!!
In regard to my subject that I teach: Foods and Nutrition, and relative careers. I am very interested in what you are eating? What choices did you have? I am sure you can't pack a salad etc. Were there food scientist that developed the food choices? Were you given choices with "MyPlate" or "Dietary Guidelines" in mind? Are there certain foods that are no no's?

FYI: So we just finished a unit on Vitamins and Minerals. And we were talking about Vitamin C and how Columbus and his sailors suffered from scurvy and many died because of the lack of Vitamin C.

Mon, 01/02/2017 - 09:39

Joshua Heward

Hi Nalene,Thanks for the question, I plan to do an entire post in the future about the food here in McMurdo but for now I will just answer your question briefly. With about 1000 people on the base there is a need for a large cafeteria which always has an assortment of food items available. Your meal can be as balanced as you care to make it. Fresh vegetables "freshies" are rare and highly coveted items.

Thu, 01/05/2017 - 12:40

Nalene Hilton

When you do your report I'd love to have a copy. Way to live a dream.

Mon, 01/09/2017 - 11:40

kelton

legit