It was 24 months ago that I was packing and re-packing for a trip to Antarctica. It was a big deal. It was a trip I never dreamed I would take. It was a trip that I had always dreamed of taking.
That dream had gone the way of the the dream of Prince Charming, relegating itself to an internal fantasy. There was always that little spark of hope every once in a while. But Prince Charming was fiction. Antarctica was very real. So the hope was a little stronger for that dream.
And when it happened I was a 5 year old child at Disneyland for the first time.
My eyes were wide open, my senses were aware of everything. The cold didn’t bother me. The rolling and plunging boat on the Drake Passage didn’t bother me. The smell of dead krill didn’t bother me.
I was high on my dream.
That dream created another dream and the Edward Bransfield Commemorative tartan became a reality. Penguin Designs, LLC became a reality.
The first scarf that I made in the EBC tartan pattern was christened in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica one year after my trip. My friend and inspiration, Jim Wilson, dipped that scarf in the Antarctic Ocean and sent me the picture.
Today almost one year later, the second scarf arrived in the Bransfield Strait. The crew of Team South did the honors and sent me this video
All of this to honor the man that 200 years ago saw and charted the Antarctic Continent for the very first time.
As I pack my bags for my trip to Ireland and the ceremonies recognizing the man, I am awed by the connections that led me to this place. I am humbled that, for whatever reason, the Universe put me in the right place at the right time to join in the honoring of a man who, centuries before, found a place that profoundly changed my life.
Talkin' to Myself 
Hello Gael… oh wow, I went over and watched the video and read the story…. I’ve tears of joy in my eyes for you… your article is truly a wondrous uplifting piece, and has made my day Gael…. things are a gloomy over here, but now I’m smiling from ear to ear….. and I’m sure you’ll have wonderful stories from your trip to Ireland…”Enjoy” ((Hugs))
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There will be a time, I hope, when I can stand in front of you, shake your hand and then give you the biggest hug possible!!! Thank you! It is all so amazing.
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I shall look forward to that time one day…. and Gael have a wondrous trip ((More hugs))
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I will. And, trust me, you will see it through my camera’s eyes!
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Great post 🙂
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Thank you!
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Wow! A trip to Antarctica is definitely one for the bucket list. So cool that you got to go. I would love to visit sometime. And now you’re off to Ireland! Have a wonderful trip.
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Gael,
This is absolutely fantastic and the exact kind of story we love to read over at the Go Dog Go Cafe! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing it and inspiring us. Wow, though, so very cool. Antartica!
S Francis
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My name is Crystal and I come to your site via Esme’s Senior Salon. I really like your site. Happy New Year.
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What a great post. One of the wonders of the world and the scarf being dipped in the waters brought a tear to my eye. #Senisal
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This is awesome. Dreams do come true!! #SeniSal
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