Last Post

After an overnight flight and a lot of sleep, I am home safe and sound--so grateful for new friends, amazing experiences and new perspectives.... As someone said on ship, "Now the inner voyage begins..."

Thanks to everyone who has followed this blog....I look forward to seeing you all soon!

We're Coming to America!

Last Sunset at Sea

Sunrise over California

Coast Guard Escort

Parents' Boat

At 6:30 in the morning on December 13th we awakened to Neil Diamond's "Coming to America" played over the ship's PA system... The MV Explorer eased into San Diego Bay at dawn, escorted by a Coast Guard boat and several small craft full of parents with signs.  After docking, it was a busy time as luggage and boxes were offloaded and people said their farewells.  Then it was time to disembark, collect luggage and head for the airport....with so many emotions to sort through......

Almost Home!

Quote from Desmond Tutu at teh Alumni Ball

Rocky Rohwedder and I taught the Sustainable Communities courses

The trip between Hawaii and San Diego was a frantic time of final exams and grading....Finally, after the final grades were turned in, there was an Alumni Ball on the ship to celebrate the end of the voyage... Then packing.....

Hiking across a Volcano!

An Ohia tree in Kiluea Iki crater

The Kiluea Iki crater with the main Kiluea caldera in the background

The trip on the second day in Hilo was to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  We hiked through a lava tube and four miles across the crater of the Kiluea Iki volcano.  The volcano last erupted in 1994, and the floor of the crater was like a moonscape.  We also visited the research site on the rim of the main Kiluea caldera, and saw the seismographs used to monitor the seismic activity on all of the volcanoes on the island.  Finally we returned to the ship and departed Hawaii...sad that our trip is almost over....

Hilo and a Luau...

Beach house in Hilo

Volcanic beach

King Kamehameha

Making a lei at the luau

On the first day in Hilo I took a walk with a friend on the ship to some beach parks near the port.  The hard, black volcanic rock with the crashing waves makes a dramatic scene.  That evening we went to a luau sponsored by the University of Hawaii at Hilo.  Students and residence life staff taught us how to make leis from tea leaves and dye scarves (and some learned how to do a hula dance).