10 September 2021 Part 2 - Now, We're Off!

I was testing WhatsApp with Janet Warburton, program coordinator of PolarTREC, at about 7:20 pm on 9-10-21, when I noticed a change in the engine sounds. All of a sudden we were moving away from the dock. There had been an earlier announcement in Russian; however, those had happened several times previously. If there was something everyone needed to know, the announcement was repeated in English. I guess not this time (I better start learning Russian - fast!). We were finally on our way. After 2 weeks of quarantine and preparation in Oslo and Kirkenes, the expedition was beginning.

I ran up to the bow (front) of the ship to take some pictures and to call my family before I lost cell service. I got a chance to talk to my wife Naomi and daughter Ellie on FaceTime (my son Jonah was at work, but I talked to him earlier). It was weird realizing that I didn't know when I would talk to them next and by the time I returned home, Ellie would be at the University of Oregon, and I might not see her until December. Nevertheless, I think they are very happy for me.

Right before we were out of cell tower range, I got a text with this image that Ellie posted on Instagram from our call.

After taking a few more scenery pictures and posting a few pictures on Twitter and Facebook, we had dinner (Russian food, of course - more food posts later) and a safety briefing in Russian (but translated) from the Tryoshnikov's 1st Officer.

One of the last things he mentioned was that we might want to strap everything down because we were going to be heading into a storm with 4-5 meter (12-16 foot) waves. Hope the sea sickness meds work!