Returning to the Ice

Well everyone, I think I'm back to the blogging gig (or at least I'll try). So the summer was fun but there were some trying times. It rained almost the whole month of September on Fox Island and I was very happy to leave that island behind. Overall it was a fun summer but only time will tell if I'll repeat Fox Island next year.

So I am writing from Denver. The past month has been a blur starting with working about 3 weeks straight on Fox Island, having a couple days in Anchorage visiting Shawna, Ovi, and Ana, flying home for six days before returning to RPSC headquarters in Denver on the 25th. I have not been caught up on sleep for over a month and I don't see it getting better anytime soon. The hiring process for my job this year went about the same as last with many issues with the PQ but it all working out in the end. Around the middle of August I was offered a Winfly position (fly down to the ice early to open the station up) but turned it down to finish my contract on Fox Island. Also if I took the Winfly position I would not have had a chance to return home. When I turned this position down I was thinking I would be leaving VT in Oct but found out at the beginning of Sep that I was headed to Denver on the 25th.

So here I am, sitting in a hotel room in Denver on the night before the flight to New Zealand. Being back here has brought a smile back to my face that I don't believe was this big all summer. I have already seen some great friends from last year and met many more. Tomorrow I finish up training and head to Denver International Airport. From there, there will be a short flight to LAX and then a 13hr flight to NZ. I'm not looking forward to the flight but once I land I'll get to see my friend Vince in Auckland for a few hours before continuing on to CHCH. I can't believe this time of year is already back. I have this nervous feeling identical to what I felt when I was a kid on Christmas Eve. The Ice is truly a great place full of great people where all of your cares melt away (or maybe the freeze away). I'm wondering if this year I'll "loose my cool" as I step off the plane and back onto the ice, I guess only time will tell.

This year there are a lot of changes to the program. First off I am going to be a Fuels Operator. I love the people working in my department. One guy was a GA with me last year and another was a close friend. As a Fulie I'll be fueling planes and buildings. Yup all that schooling to pump gas (I know my dad is proud). Other changes are due to budget cuts that we have been told are due to high fuel prices.

• No ice runway
• No liquor sold in the station store
• One person Recreation department (use to be 5)
• No "hold in CHCH" mail
• 1/2 the travel funds
• No issued Long Underwear or Socks
• No issued sunglasses
• Fewer freshies (veggies) and mail flights
• Mandatory Flu Shot (I got mine today and even got a care bear bandaid- I guess they could have saved money and got regular bandaids)

I hope to take pictures this year, but my adventures will be a little more tame this time around. I have about 3 more nights left before I start my second longest day. I miss you all.

"If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there" - Old Man Rice

Cheers
Skippy