Halifax

It was foggy and rainy yesterday when we pulled into Halifax, but cleared up today.  Notice the building behind me in the photo...It is the Halifax port building and has a green roof, solar panels and windmills!  I took an early morning walk along the waterfront and hiked up to the Halifax citadel to get a panoramic photo (see at bottom of blog).  All of the students boarded today, so it was really hectic.  Their excitement is infectious!  We left Halifax around 5:00 and are in the Atlantic again as I write this.  The ship is moving faster than usual to get out of the way of the path of Hurricane Danielle.  We are a long way from the hurricane, but they are being extra cautious.  Classes start Sunday!

Day 2

Really rough weather this morning, but it got better in the afternoon.  More orientation meetings today, but the logistics of the classes are coming together.  We are getting closer to Halifax and probably will arrive there early in the morning.  It will seem strange to be stationary again... Riding on the elevator on the ship is an interesting experience...tilting side to side as it is going up and down!.....

End of Day 1

Our wake as we have dinner at the end of the first day....

First Day

The sea has been a little rough on the first day and lots of people have struggled with seasickness.  I'm OK though...It's a little like riding a slow motion roller coaster.  Orientation meetings most of the day, and getting to know some of the other faculty.  I'm trying to imagine what the ship will be like when we add more than 600 students at Halifax....More orientation tomorrow, and arrival at Halifax on Thursday.  First day of classes is Sunday. 

Oops.... the other pics didn't post...Here they are...

Setting Sail!

On Sunday packed the car and drove to Norfolk for the voyage.  Thanks to Tina, Richard, Corey and Martha for help with the packing!  Here are some photos of the ship at Norfolk and my cabin.   We cast off at 11:00 pm and sailed out of Norfolk past the bridge-tunnel into the Atlantic....

Getting Ready....

Less than three days now until we set sail!  Lots of packing to do tomorrow, and then we will drive to Norfolk on Sunday.  Looking forward to meeting other faculty and staff at the hotel Sunday night and then boarding on Monday.  This pic is from a pirate farewell celebration with our friends and colleagues at the Cavalier Tavern in Lynchburg.  Yoho, me hearties......Arrrrrhhhh!

Bon Voyage Celebration

At my sister's lake house in north Georgia for a bon voyage celebration..  It's not quite the ocean, but it's wet!.... My wife Tina and I are on the "Big Mabel" raft.  You can't really see it in the pic, but that is a Semester at Sea tshirt...