We made our way back to our own field camp. This was the last time that the entire team would be together out on the sea ice. Andrea, Shakira, Joanna, and I were flying back to McMurdo Station on the helicopter. We had a few minutes to gather our belongings, load up the helicopter, and have a group photo taken.

I had mixed emotions as the helicopter took off. I could see how tiny our camp was as the helicopter flew away. The 17 of us had worked long and hard together to accomplish a common goal. We were successful. I was proud of what we had done as a team. The data that we collected will be used to study our past climate. This will help us to better understand our future on Earth. And I was a part of it all!

I felt extremely lucky to have been selected to join the Offshore New Harbor Expedition and very honored to have shared that place with every other member of the team.

I was beginning the long journey home to New York. I am going to miss the Offshore New Harbor Team and the many good friends I've made at McMurdo. However, my mind is now full of thoughts of my family and friends. I have missed them. I am ready to leave. I am ready to return home. My work is done here, for now.