Penguin Ponderings

When I think of Antarctica I think of ice and frigid cold.  I really can't say it has ever been on my "bucket list" but, then again, I am open to traveling almost anywhere in the world - at least once.  We were in California in November 2013 to dive the Channel Islands and attend the 50th Anniversary celebrations of DUI - Diving Unlimited International in San Diego.  Our friend, Faith Ortins, mentioned that she had planned an "epic once-in-a-lifetime" group diving trip to Antarctica that followed Shackleton's famous trip, on the 100th anniversary.  Whoa.  Really?  That does sound like an epic trip.....one that shouldn't be missed.  Ushuaia, Argentina to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney Islands, Elephant Island, Deception Island, and the Antarctica Peninsula.  23 days, 22 nights. Tons of money.  Yeah, right.  A Paramedic salary goes really far.  The trip was 2 years away.  1K per month away, more or less depending on one's room selection. Serious cash.  Crap.  I resigned myself to hearing the tales from the trip.

And then came the holidays and Michael's surprise...."I signed us up for the Antarctica trip and paid the down payment for both of us!".  Awesome.  Crap.  Incredible. What?  How do I manage this?  Gees, that's another rent/ mortgage payment per month.  Pretty much buying a new car over 2 years.  Almost a year of college tuition.  And then the wheels began turning and at this point, we are more "in the trip" than out.  More than halfway there. We only live once.  Life is short. We cancelled cable TV.  I paid off my car a few months later and the monthly car payment went towards the trip. We ate out less, spent less money on skiing and boat diving. It all helps.

As is true to my nature, I began researching everything about the trip and what we would see and do.  I fell in love with penguins and began watching every video about Antarctica.  I read Shackleton's book South and the book Endurance which is a compilation of the journals of the men on his expedition.  Even PBS fed my Antarctica obsession by creating a 3 part series called "Chasing Shackleton" which recreates Shackleton's rescue mission to travel from Elephant Island in a 30 foot lifeboat to the South Georgia Islands using early 1900's gear and technology. Obsessed and in love with everything Antarctic. Bring it ON!

We told our friends about the trip and due to the cost of the trip we never expected anyone to join us - and then there was Rachel.  Rachel McCann.  Since then it has been all plotting and planning and general craziness.  Antarctica or BUST!