Jared Cole's Antarctic Log

I am a native Californian, 16 years of age. My name is Jared Cole. I have always been intimidated and curious about the ocean. Ever since that first wave I caught surfing, I have been drawn closer to the ocean. It's a feeling only a surfer knows. Therefore, I have had more concerns about oceanic ecology. Also, I am very grateful that these Antarctic explorers are going to let us follow up on their experience of a lifetime expedition.

Tuesday, 11/28/95

During my fourth period class today, I was involved in an interview with Antarctic explorer, Jonathan Chester, a good man, who truly loves Antarctica. While he is down at the Antarctica Peninsula, we will be contacting him over the internet and discussing various things about experiments that he will be carrying out for us. I, myself, have discussed with him the collection of plankton specimens on the expedition with a net that I have supplied him with.

After the interview at the high school, with my other class members and my own personal interview by channel 50 news, I was off to a recording studio, (O'Reilly and Associates), with four other students. We were recorded in and in-depth interview with explorer Jonathan Chester. We questioned him on the ecology of Antarctica and the expedition. For such a new and different experience than ever before for me, I was fascinated to be part of this. After the interview in the studio we went over the projects more thoroughly. With the help of Jonathan and O'Reilly, everything went good as planned.

The ship is leaving on its voyage today, and I guess they have been running over some safety procedures before leaving in case they had a casualty at sea. They are passing through Drake's passage today also. Drake's passage has strong currents which have been making the Terraquest members on the ship unable to reach the internet live, because the boat is rocking so much.

The ship has encountered a lot of stormy weather which has made life a lot slower aboard the ship. Such as the constant slamming of the waves against the ship, throwing everyone around like rag dolls, some fun. Except for the getting sick part. They have been taking great photos of the animal life at sea and of the sheer brutality of a storm down there, with the waves crashing over the bow and sometimes even hitting the bridge. Think about that for a second. I wish I was there, that's all I can say.

During the last few days of the expedition, the crew members have had a lot of thoughts about Xmas. They are glad that they don't have to be involved in the craziness before Xmas. Though the more they think about Xmas, the more homesick they become. The expedition has turned out a lot of great pictures of Antarctica and given a great deal of information on what life is like on a boat down there.

The trip back to the mainland was a lot easier and faster than the trip out. this trip will definitely sit in my mind for life and the crew is sure never to forget it either.