Just 45 minutes after midnight, Allen, Robert, Rob, and I (along with some 20 odd other ice bound folks staying at the Windsor) piled into 2 shuttle buses headed for the USAP clothing distribution center at the airport. Upon arrival, we picked up our extra Antarctica gear and changed into the mandatory extreme cold weather (ECW) gear. ECW gear consists of boots, puffy overalls, gloves, snow goggles, hat, and the classic big red USAP parka (that's why all of us are dressed the same).
After suiting up for the ice and checking in our baggage, we were briefed on what to expect when we got to McMurdo (another briefing...), then we headed off in a bus to our plane (a C-17 Globemaster III). For the next 5.5 hours we sat in the cargo hold, along with 64 barrels of fuel to be airdropped, as our pilot took us father south than Allen or I had ever gone before.
Around 9 am (we'll be on New Zealand time in Antarctica to avoid traveling through too many timezones by moving east/west), we landed on a runway constructed on the sea ice just outside of town and took our first steps onto Antarctica (the temp. was 12 degrees Fahrenheit) . After a short ride in our terra bus, we finally arrived in McMurdo - the main US base on Antarctica (woohoo!).
I should point out that we still haven't reached our final destination (the Dry Valleys). Before the four of us can head out on our own, we have to go through Snow School (aka Happy Camper training) so we know what to do in the cold. Even long time veterans like Robert and Rob have to take refresher courses. Due to the upcoming holidays (in McMurdo, Thanksgiving is observed on Saturday so that the staff can have a 2 day weekend), Allen and I won't be able to do our 2 night training course until Tuesday - which means that we won't really be able to get to the Dry Valleys until next Thursday at the earliest. 
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