Official Delta Driver

I did it. I’m now fully Delta Certified. Me, who started out learning to drive in a Geo Metro, has now transported live passengers to and from the runway without killing them or falling through the ice in a Delta. I’m psyched. I would definitely come back as a shuttle drive if I ever came back. I love the Deltas, big orange, awkward lumbering beasts that they are. Always breaking down, groaning, and moaning, they still trek on day after day transporting passengers from place to place.

I got to drive all the way out to Pegasus which is a 40 minute drive each way. Geoff came along as moral support and guidance should I need it, and it helped just having him there. The weather was beautiful, and my cargo of passengers were all happy they were getting to leave. Their contracts were up and they were headed off the ice. We were a caravan of two Deltas and an airporter. In total I think we had 60 passengers leaving that day. They flew out on the 757, which is a New Zealand plane. After making sure they were all safely aboard, and my toes were completely numb, we drove back and took some of the pot holes a little fast, sending us both up out of our seats with a laugh and whoo. I can’t believe I got to learn how to do this. Such a great opportunity and all because I asked and got to stay the winter. Wow!

Condition 2

We had our first Condition 2 today and it wasn't even winter yet. The winds blew snow around creating a white sheet of air and everyone watched in wonder as building disappeared in the flurry mass. They even put up the ropes between buildings, but did not enforce the attach in rule. It was fun, a hint of things to come, and you can enjoy it while you look out from the warm safe building, but if you were out in it, I doubt it would be as amusing.

Tour of the Palmer Ship

We got a tour of the Palmer Research Vessel today. It is a research vessel that goes out to sea for all sorts of marine and aqua studies for up to three months at a time. It passes between Palmer Station and ours in it’s travels, and has crew of around 30 people - including scientists. We thought our place was small, but they all live on board the ship and never get a day off till they disembark. Needless to say, when they fly out they are really ready to leave. It was fun walking through the narrow halls, seeing their mess hall, and the main deck where the captain steers the ship. Here are some of the pictures I took -

Main Deck

Emperor Penguins or as I like to say Imperial

Saw a group of Emperor Penguins today. There was an organized trip to go out and see them. They are molting right now, I've been told the process is uncomfortable, so they stay pretty still. Now I've seen both types here on the continent, at least around where I live.

Geocaching

So before Linda left, she told me about something called Geocaching. It is treasure hunting with a GPS and there are caches hid all around the world. Her cousins were the ones who sent her the GPS and told her about the treasure hunting. She was curious to see if there were any in Antarctica so she pulled up the website and sure enough. There are over 40 caches hidden on the continent. One was actually right outside of McMurdo on one of the trials.

Deciding we wanted to play treasure hunters, off we went with GPS in hand, entering the coordinates and double checking our location. The actual place of the cache is not exact, it could be any where in a wide circle of ten to twenty feet of the ending point, so you're not led directly to the spot. The caches range in size from cigarette cartons to shoe boxes, so you really never know what you are looking for. People stash these hidden treasures away and then submit the coordinates to the website for others to come and find. You don't take the goods, just record that you found it, or sign the paper tucked in side saying who you are and when you found it. Even where you are from if you want.

I thought of you Dad, with your love for GPS. You should look it up and see about taking a hike with Mary to go "Treasure Hunting." You might even put the coordinates for the ARK on the sight and label it as a "large cache" so people can "find" Noah's Ark. Just a thought.

So as we followed the trail, our little white arrow got closer and closer to the red flag, till soon we were right on top of it. The final spot was at roll cage Mary, where there is a statue of Mary, protected by a roll cage, and mounted on top of a mound of rocks. Looking through the rocks, we found a little plastic bag with a tin container labeled Geocache. We'd discovered treasure!

Our Treasure Map

Getting Closer

Roll Cage Mary

View from Cache sight

We've Found it!

We opened it up to discover small trinkets, some loose change, and a ripped out piece of paper where people had signed their names. We added ours and then took pictures to document our find before returning it to its hiding place.

Opening the treasure tin

Leaving our mark

Found some snow along the way and stopped to play . . .

The whole experience was a blast, I've never really treasure hunted before, and now I want to go hiking more and find these caches. Who knows, maybe I'll even hide one.

Summer Season Winding Down

Summer Season coming to an end

Well the first of our crew has gone. Summer is officially over as people begin to adventure away on their travel plans. Linda, our Pack Leader, flew out on Friday while the next big flight of people is the 19th. It is exciting to hear where people are going and doing, but also to be staying behind. I've gotten all my necessary items from home, friends and family have sent me additional things that will make the winter a little warmer. Now if I could just find out where I'll be living I could settle in and brace myself for the coming months. I probably won't know till the end of next week when people start to clear out.

With things winding down there is little to write about. I did do a second Delta training where I actually drove out on the ice, did some doughnuts (really tight circles) and got more comfortable with the large orange machine. Love every minute and if I ever come back I want to be a shuttle driver. Other than that, it's been a quiet week of getting over the McMurdo crud.

This is also the last week of Mid-rats, then I transition back to days - become a day walker - and start into my winter shift. I've signed up for the AM (there are only four Dining Attendants and I'm the only morning one. I get to work by myself and listen to my own music while I work. Not much different from what I'm doing now, but no sandwiches, food prep or deadlines and that is good) so I'll start at 6am and be off by 4pm. I'm going to start an intense workout schedule and try to dominate the Biggest Loser Antarctica Competition.

I really can't believe that I'd already be getting ready to leave if I wasn't wintering. Time really passed fast and I'm glad I get to stay. I just didn't get enough of this place, and I'm sure once October rolls around I'll be ready to leave, but right now I'm happy, content and living the Antarctic Dream.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone, and Mom Happy Birthday. I wish I could be there to celebrate, but I know Dad will take good care of you and treat you well. Know that I am thinking of you on your special day and sending prayers, love and hugs to you. May God continue to watch over, guide and protect you. I love you and miss you.

Delta Training

So you know how I've been going on and on about wanting to drive a Delta. Well . . . I CAN!!! I got Delta Training today because I am a winter over and they need people to drive them to the planes at last flight and then at Winfly in August. It was so cool. I've never driven anything so big and now I want to do truck driver training when I get home! Maybe a new professional calling in life. It was different, because it is so big you have to turn way before you're used to and then stop turning before you think you should. My trainer was Geoff, way cool and very knowledgeable. He was a DA his first year as well and then has been in shuttles the last four years. He went over everything with me and then I got to drive around town and to Scott's Base. There wasn't any traffic being a night shift run so the whole road was mine and I took it. Well that's my excitement of the week. I have one more training session to do to prove that I understood everything we did the first time and then I am officially trained. Wow, Me. A Delta Driver. Hurray!!!

Penguin in Action

When I got back from R and R the penguin was still there. Here are a few more photos of the little guy and even some action footage.