May 3, Minneapolis, Minn
Tuesday, Tuesday. the day nudged gingerly before Wednesday and after Monday. What is so remarkable about Tuesday? For us, everything. Tuesday, May 3 marks the beginning and the end.
We left Grand Marais at four in the morning. The good-bye's were difficult at best and we had to tear ourselves away from Kelly and Sarah. It was cold (18 F) and dark, but we still tried to soak in all that was our beautiful little city. What would happen here this summer while we are gone? We can only wonder now.
We had a great time getting interviewed on Minnesota Public Radio's Mid Morning, and after a short interview with the Star Tribune, the rest of the day was spent running errands. Most important today was to insure a proper nod to new expedition lead sponsor ACR Electronics, manufacturer of our PLB (personal locator beacon). With the help of Expedition Manager, Ann Possis, we managed to find a last minute tailor to sew several sponsor patches on our clothing.
Tim Harincar of X-Plot and www.webexpeditions.net fame was called in to our aid. Working with Mike J. from Greenpeace, they tried to establish a connection between our palm pilot and satellite phone. Roughed up but not beaten, we will renew the technology fight tomorrow with an increased vigour.
May 2, Grand Marais
Our lives boiled down look like this. All of our personal gear fits in these few bags. This sifting is representative of everything that we are doing. The chaff is gone and all that remais are a few basic components. Our minds can focus only on today and tomorrow. Our future will be winnowed away later.
John and Josh called in with a report that travel with the One World gear is progressing smoothly. They spent the night with long-time OWE supporters Patty Holmen, Paul Mozina and Ruth O'Malley in Milwaukee. Thanks again guys!
Other great news today includes a cover spread on the Minneapolis Star Tribune as well as Chicago Tribune! Finally, don't forget to tune to Minnesota Public Radio's Mid Morning program at 10 tomorrow morning.
May 1, Grand Marais
John hoelscher has left the building - and the county and state for that matter. John and GREENPEACE`s Josh are now in Wisconsin heading for New York and JFK airport. Along for the ride is our entire life support for the next three and a half months of our lives. Canoes, stoves, food and more are now tooling merrily down I-90 and a new adventure. Big Apple look out!
What a relief! We can`t even begin to describe the emotions that have been flooding through our brains lately. All this, everything actually, for the past two and a half years has been preparation for the next few days. It`s overwhelming and satisfying in the same breath.
Of course, we have been so extremely busy that to even try to picture our lives on the Arctic sea ice stretches the limits of our imagination. But for this small moment, I`ll try. Instead of talking, we will be doing. To replace the Sawtooth Mountains of our backyards, we will only see pressured ice. The shores of Lake Superior will disappear, for us, this summer. Instead, we`ll get salt water and ice.
But like I said. We still have to make it through the next few days running on empty with our heads spinning!
April 29, Grand Marais
Can you say crazy? Good, I thought you could. It has been an energy packed few days - to say the least. After a fantastic send off party in Lutsen, we packed our city clothes for a visit to New York City. The One world contingent included expedition manager Ann Possis, her husband Clyde Hanson and of course, Sarah Allen and Kelly Dupre.
Now, we're back in Grand Marais for a couple of days. While here, the office is a whirlwind of activity. After a few last- minute canoe modifications, we're almost ready.
Of course, we still have to fly to New York tonight to appear on the CBS Early Show Saturday morning. Then it's back to Grand Marais for two days for final packing and goodbyes. We head to Moscow via New York May 4.
April 25, Lutsen, MN
It is now a matter of days before the expedition departs Minnesota. On Saturday, we were able to celebrate with many of the sponsors, friends and relatives who have helped us over the past two and a half years. Even our mothers, Kate Cartier (left) and Judy Larsen (right), showed up to offer more of their unconditional love. The Bon Voyage Bash at Papa Charlie's in Lutsen was a huge success and a good time was had by all.
What's next? All we have to do is put the finishing touches on our packing, wax our ski boots and catch a flight to Moscow. OK, it's a little more complicated than that, and we do have a bit of work to do as well, but we're in the home stretch.
For all of you in Minnesota, we will be on MPR's midmorning on May 3 at 10 am.
April 22, Grand Marais
Sure it's not the North Pole, but Grand Marais is as good as place as any to test our communications equipment. Yesterday we spent the afternoon with Greenpeace's tech-guru Mike Johnson. With only two weeks until our departure, it is imperative that all of our electronic equipment is functioning properly, 'bomb proof,' and easy to use.
For the past few days, John Hoelscher has been busy modifying and testing all of our electronic gear. He has been relentless in his task to make sure that our satellite phone, camera and other electronic gear can all be charged with our Brunton Solar Roll panels. He has been coordinating his efforts with Mike Johnson for the past two days.
Mike's arrival was a welcome addition. His expertise was invaluable as was his delivery of the expedition's palm top computer, the OQO. Roughly the size of a large Palm Pilot, this computer has 20 gigabytes of memory and will be used to send reports and images to the Web site. It also has the ability to send video or other information through a wireless connection for up to 3,000 feet. Amazing!
April 19, Grand Marais
Ann Possis is really racking up the frequent flyer miles lately. Her newest adventure finds her flying the friendly skies on her way to the Big Apple - New York, New York. But why send the 'Possinator' to the 'City that Never Sleeps' when the expedition departure is looming so near and we need her in Grand Marais? It's simple really: official OWE business.
Greenpeace Executive Director John Passacantando will lead a panel of cutting-edge filmmakers and activists in a conversation about the world's greatest ecological threat. Documentary filmmaker Judith Helfand will show sneak previews from her
film-in-progress "Melting Planet" about global warming and human nature. Most importantly, Ann Possis, will share how two intrepid explorers (that's us), with Greenpeace, will bring real-time images of global warming straight to a worldwide audience.
Of course, Ann won't have much time for sight seeing, either. While in NYC, she will be meeting with potential sponsors as well. This week New York, next week. well actually she'll be in New York again, but we'd better save that story for a future update.
