Ken Klassy

Click here to watch us all freeze.

One of the funnest perks of being down here is interacting with schools. I have had only a few opportunities to do so. I was contact a few days ago by Sterling Montessori Academy in Morisville NC:

I am the Chairman of the Walk A Thon committee at Sterling Montessori and am very excited to have made contact with someone in your capacity. We are in the process of preparing for our Walk which will take place on April 29th. The proceeds of our fundraiser will be used to build a Sports Court for our children’s Physical Education classes. Currently our P.E. classes take place in our school’s parking lot which is less than ideal. Our school is made up of 679 students from Preschool to 8th grade.

To build up excitement and participation we have built in the following goals into our fundraiser (1) Donors from all 50 States and all 7 Continents and (2) 100% student participation. We have a huge world map to track donors and a giant pink tower (Material found in every Montessori classroom) to track participation. I would love to be able to color in Antarctica with your support.

I understand that you are unable to receive mail at this time but I am able to email you the donor form. My mom mentioned that you could send us a picture of you in front of your station. I think the kids would ABSOLUTELY love that!! I would post the picture of the world map for all to see!!

In other news…

Our last flight is this week. We loose about 44 people and gain back about 22 new folks. Then the station will officially be closed. We are quickly setting into winter mode and slowing down; after this flight things will pickup a bit for about a week then back down to granny gear.

I started a workout routine yet again last week. I am working hard to set a routine before we loose the sun and most routines go out the window. I feel pretty good right now, extra energy and feeling stronger already. I hope to keep it going all season. Right now I am in pain, but a good pain.

We survived the tsunami! Boils down to “Much ado about nothing…” although several winter over t-shirt ideas are coming from it. Turns out that we actually have a tsunami SOP! Who knew?

Pictures coming… I gotta get out more! Pegasus plane (crash) trip on Wednesday.

News to come. He was at Palmer Station this week.

Our (almost) last flight of the season flew today. I had the opportunity to drive a PAX Delta to day taking the last bunch of people out to Pegasus. Enjoyed a gathering with a few Winter-Overs to celebrate the (almost) beginning of winter.

The Almost part is because there is one more flight in about two weeks. March 5 has one more flight in and out. Then the station is closed for winter.

I am settled in my room and quite pleased with it. A few friends from Summer have shared their furniture and remaining food with me. I have quite the setup. Will take a few photos and post them later.

Now to enjoy the weekend.

We are quickly settling in for the winter and it looks like is going to be a good one. Lots of good people, 70% returning from last season. Fortunately the more trouble some folks from last year are among the 30%. Along those same lines are some really good folks also not back this year and they will be missed. Already got a great group of folks that I am having meals with. Folks from all over station. Medical, FEMC, IT.

The population is quickly dwindling down. We are loosing about 150 people a day from the summer staff as they head North for warmer weather. Today’s flight however has been delayed 24 hours due to weather. Its snowing right now with a temp of -7.8c and 11kts winds putting the windchill at -15c. So not to bad right now. its defiantly hoodie weather, leave the parka in the room.

Getting some great shots out at Hut Point. Lots of open water so we are seeing seals, penguins, whales, and some other sea life that I can’t identify.  I will get a beaker to identify it for me then post it up. I am uploading all of my pics to the slide show at www.antarctiken.com and at my flicker page www.flickr.com/kenklassy.

Now if I can just get into my permanent room. I am living in temp housing right now at Hotel Cal. Not bad though I have scored a private room for now. My room mate switched before moving in. I was told that I would have Polies staying with me on their way out but they have been either flying straight through, out at the runway, or in transient housing in 155.

Should be a GREAT winter!