Lat: 42.39 N
Lon: 72.71 W
So I write this last blogpost in the comfort of my home back in Western Massachusetts, an incredible Yellow Lab at my feet nudging me every 15 minutes or so just to make sure (I think) that I'm really here, and so many wonderful and fulfilling thoughts in my head of the last 3 weeks or so. I can't believe I'm really home, and I can't believe I really traveled to the end of the Earth. People have been asking me, "Do you have one event or one moment that really stands out to you of the Expedition as a whole?" I can honestly say that I don't, that the memories and love for this experience comes not only from the incredible wildlife, but from the seas, the excursions, the sounds, the smells (not missing the Penguin Guano!), but most of all, the people who made up our expedition and the wonderful friendships I made along the way. That's the essence of travelling for me, wherever the journey might take me; people you meet along the way, to share the experience with, and to have lasting memories for a lifetime. Though the animals did steal the show this time for sure for me, the whole trip was made complete and magical by the special folks along the way.
Some folks I want to pay some special attention to that helped make this trip extra special: My buddy Micah back here at home, who updated my blog after every post and every addendum, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, my special MOT. Laura for the wonderful map of coordinates you added on FB that I first got to see today (You rock!). Dad for keeping you and Hickory alive in my absence, which is always a nice thing to come home to :). Kristen, Micah and Janet for checking in on my Pops to make sure all was AOK, and the spirit of loved ones gone who helped guide me on this fabulous journey. Your essence and soul were felt throughout. Onboard, Ro and Jason for cracking me up continuously (It's not fair!), Ralph, the best roomie a guy could have, Pam and John from OZ, my fellow shrink and how we didn't talk shop AT ALL. To staff members "Danger" Maggie and "Zodiac Man" Keith and Rob; our conversations, sharing of life and laughter helped make this an absolutely incredible journey, and to Eva, Eva, Eva for well...just being Eva. You all are sooooo invited to "Camp David", my place up in Huntington, Vermont, with or without me; mi casa es tu casa! I so absolutely mean it!
If you ever get a chance to go the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica, go! Don't even think about it, just go. Save your pennies, it's an investment in the soul. You won't be disappointed; in fact, it may change you in an incredible and most wonderous way. I'm thankful for it, and for what this planet has to offer in its riches of life, abundance, and memory. I may send one more post of images and video, once I (with the help of others) can figure this computer thang out.
Finally, I would like to leave you all, with the help in part from my dear friend Laura who emailed this quote to me during my expedition from Sir Ernest Shackleton, aka "The Boss", with his words in regards to his Polar explorations in the land I just visited. Love and God Bless.
"We were conscious of tremendous forces all around us; Nature was not walled out; rather we were walled in. In a civilised country Nature is seldom visible or audible; her activities, at any rate, are not obtrusive; but with us there was nothing at all except those activities. It is a humbling experience to listen to ice-pressure and to watch the visible world breaking up all around one. The forces of Nature are so terrific that no scientific explanation of their action ever quite gives one a satisfying sense of their origin...We were all conscious of a Power that informed the whole living world." --Ernest Shackleton, on crossing South Georgia on foot.
Fantastic quote. I just so happened to visit the 'Twin Lights' which is a no longer active, yet excellently maintained, light house in (Atlantic?) Highlands.
ReplyDeleteI learned there that two regular 'Joe's, George Harbo and Frank Samuelson, guys who were a couple of regular clammers -they accepted the challenge to row across the Atlantic Ocean. The did so, back in 1896, using no sail of motorized power. It took them 62 days to cover 3,250 miles going from Highlands, NJ to La Havre, France. They were quoted as saying, 'The full impact of our decision to row across the Atlantic did not strike home until we were well out in the ocean. It was not the fact of being out of sight of land but the feeling of loneliness created by the vast distances and perpetual motion of the ways.' In a different, albeit related experience (going to the proverbial 'edge'), it is the expression of awe...numinous...in this quotation, and Laura, that moves me. Thanks for sharing.