Well, friends, it's been a fair bit since I was on here... motivation goes on holiday near the middle of the Antarctic winter.  However, I have more motivation for keeping up this time around since I've got some schools checking in on me-- thanks so much to Alpine Middle School and the San Vicente School of Big Bend National Park for their support and excitement over my visits!  I'm really looking forward to staying in touch while at at Pole.  For now, just wanted to check in and say the adventure has started!  I'm in Christchurch, New Zealand, getting ready to head down to the ice tomorrow morning on the C-17.  I've got all my cold weather gear packed, I've eaten at my favorite restaurant in Christchurch (the best pan-fried dumplings in the world), and am ready to go!  Though I don't have any photos of the gearing-up process, I do have some of my travels in New Zealand just a few months ago-- so enjoy these until I post some more current shots of my current journey.  It was great to see everyone back in the states while I was visiting home, and if I didn't get to see you this time around, I hope it works out when I'm home next.  Take care until then-- and keep in touch! 

over looking Lake Tekapo from the Mt John Observatory

the boy friend Robert and I on a hike near the Mt Cook visitor center complex

our view from our room at Larnach Castle near Dunedin on the South Island

the Moeraki Boulders between Dunedin and Christchurch

some good brother sister time on a hike while visiting Boulder, CO

 

 

the family during our Christmas in January visit to Savannah

Mt Cook

native forest near the base of Mt Cook