29 December, 2000

This is a day that I have very mixed feelings about. I am leaving the Ice today. I am both happy and sad at the same time. The prospect of seeing my family early in the new year, maybe even on the 1st, is pulling me from a place that I really don't want to leave. I feel that I could have done so much more here. The research at the Pole was really taking off and we were starting to collect great data. I was actually feeling like I really knew what I was doing too. But I miss my family very much and I know that missing Christmas was very difficult for my six year old Son Casey. At least the weather is fine, warm, and sunny for my departure form the Bottom of the World! In fact I finally got to see the steam plum above Mt. Erebus!