June 5, 2011 Chicago - only 7,486 miles away

Well, you didn't think I could make a directional sign and not know how far it is from the Antarctic Western Peninsula and Chicago, did you? Harry helped me make this sign to go up on the directional sign post. It was a treat to go in the wood shop and take on a project and I finished in the nick of time as we sail on the 7th, weather permitting.

Here is the final product. Came out pretty good, don't you think? I realized that I used a lower case m. Hope no one thinks Chicago is only 7,486 meters. Ooops.

Here's the sign post down here. In a few days Chicago will be on the map in Antarctica.

Here's Harry cutting away the wood for the feathers for my arrow. After my stay at Palmer, I discovered that there is nothing Harry can't do. He's a great carpenter, plays and writes music, awesome at pool, AND can do the Sunday Times crossword with no hesitation.

Getting everything ready for our project!

Harry got the letters cut out and the vanes on the arrow. I sanded it, made the musical notes and painted it. Gotta have some Chicago Blues - seemed like a good logo for the Windy City. How does it look?

This seems like an excellent opportunity to urge you to learn how to work with tools. No matter what you end up doing with your life or what you major in in college - be handy with tools. I had learned how to safely use all sorts of tools before I even graduated from high school so you have no excuse. You can always come by my lab and help us build our next ROV!

Have you already figured out that the blue musical notes signify Chicago's Blues? Smart you are.