Reunion 2024 for the Old Antarctic Explorers Association took place 7-11 August in Colorado Springs, CO right next door to the Rocky Mountains. Walk outside of the host venue Embassy Suites hotel in the morning and right to the west, there they were, the Rockies with Pike's Peak looming a dozen miles away. So what a great place for a memorable reunion!
Our reunions serve 2 purposes; the first is to conduct Association business with officers' meetings and a general assembly meeting so members have a chance to hear what is happening and to be heard; and the second is to offer an experience and opportunity to reconnect with old friends, hear the stories, and enjoy the fellowship, and at the same time soak up some of the "local color".
There was plenty to do with an "opening night" pizza party, speakers, tours, a banquet, down time in the hospitality room, and time to do stuff on one's own. Nearly 60 people registered, however a couple of folks cancelled early, and 2 other late cancellations dropped the total to 54 at the final dinner.
Tours included a trip up nearby Pike's Peak on the COG Railway, a tour of the U.S. Air Force Academy museum along with a side trip to Garden of Gods, a visit to the WWII Air Museum, and a memorable evening at the Flying W Ranch with great food, activities and displays, and live entertainment. The weather even cooperated with thunder and lightning while the band was playing Ghost Riders In The Sky! Hard to beat that.
We had several guest speakers. The new OAEA president Wayne White had a presentation covering 3 years of life as the winter over station manager at South Pole; Steve Rupp, a diver for National Science Foundation had a presentation about diving in Antarctic regions; Jessica (Jess) Palen, Antarctic Support Contract Operations, remoted in from New Zealand and talked about the history and future of pier operations at McMurdo; and Rick Prickett, NASA, brought us some up close and personal video of a live NASA launch.
The reunion wrapped up with the traditional last evening banquet. Goodbyes were said, and the party was over...until next time.
