The past few days have been packed with heaps of activity and preparation. We've been stocking the cabinets with literally tons of food. The equipment has been cleaned and checked. The boat has a splash of fresh paint and varnish to sharpen her up. The staff has been busy planning a curriculum and schedule full of new challenges and old favorites. All that we have been missing are the 11-student crew! Until now. A long day of travel for our new shipmates ended as they were all signed onto the boat as crew members. Bags were unpacked, new friendships started, and a sunset swim in the clear blue waters of Soper's Hole was a great start to spring 14.
I personally am very excited to be running this trip again. I'm lucky to be working with an incredible group of staff members who, besides being very well-qualified in their respective fields, are also as eager, thrilled, and committed to making this trip as incredible as our student crew deserves. It's impossible to say exactly what will make this trip special, as the experiences that promise to make it special are the things that you never knew were possible. Suffice it to say that I feel honored to point our bow into this beautiful sea and land of unspoiled natural beauty and friendly people.