Pier Jumping

The last northbound ship left us on the morning of June 26th and along with it went the last of those who came with me southbound what seems like ages ago. The ship also carried away a few friends that were here before me as well as the guests who were here only for the port call. The rest of us are in it for the long haul until September. Our official number is now 16 after a few last minute deployments and re-deployments, and it's a solid group. Glad to be a part of it.

As is customary we all jumped off the pier in honor of our departing friends. It's just as cold as it looks, but nothing a quick (or not-so-quick) dip in the hot tub can't fix.


(video courtesy of Will Brubaker)


Seeing our friends standing at the railing waiving as they cruised off made me think about how hard it's going to be to leave when my day finally comes. Everything happens so quickly. We've all been thrown together here and it seems like we'll be here together forever, but one day we'll all step onto the ship and watch the station grow small on the horizon as we're carried away, while all of our friends on the shore will be waiving and screaming as they jump in the water. They'll later sprint over to the hot tub and chat about their future at Palmer Station.

I picture myself on that day on deck looking out to sea wondering if I'll ever see this magical place again.