Journal Entry # 16

March 14-18, 2002

Summary: Redeployment to Chile

       Since the last time the LMG arrived at Palmer, I've been spending most of my time working with the Raytheon support work centers operating at Palmer Station.  Just a sample sample of the work I've done includes painting offices and mil vans, helping logistics prepare cargo to be sent back to the states, and helping the medical staff update their emergency medical cache.
       When the LMG arrived once again, it was tim for me to start thinking seriously about leaving Palmer.  On March 14, in the morning, the LMG made a typical departure for Palmer Station, however, to me it will be anything but.  That morning, I left a new home I had found in the Antarctic.  Leaving Palmer was probably one of the most emotional experiences all season.
       The only think that seemed to dull the pain of leaving was the fact that 13 other people from a station of about 35 were leaving with me, so I had plenty of friends to hang out with and talk to on the four day boat ride across the Drake and back into Chile.
       After getting back into Chile I only spent a couple days resting up before I began traveling again.  Only this time, my final destination brought me back home to California and brought my once in a lifetime Antarctic experience to a close.