Is Minako happy to get back together with her old friend the Kiwi Herc? Is she just Ready for Adventure?  Ecstatic to see the pile of sack lunches? Knowing Minako, my guess is all three.

For an old fart like me,  it’s amazing to get near-real-time updates.   Two pics from Minako texted to me at the moment of departure (about 4:30 pm EST, 10:30 am CHC time)!

As Dr. Righter reports,  their ride is the legendary Kiwi Herc.  Slow (about 7.5 hrs minimum), noisy (four big props tearing up the air), uncomfortably cramped (if you don’t have your knee in between someone else’s knees, you’re in first class), and utterly, utterly reliable. Imagine being with 6 of your friends and 50 strangers in a silo while a giant plays it like it’s a didgeridoo through the Philip Glass composition Music in 12 Parts TWICE and that’s pretty close to the basic experience.

Herc rides from CHC to MCM are an obvious exercise in cooperation- for those not in the club, be aware that there’s another equally-cramped row of seats to the right. But as veteran Antarctican Robert shows with his thumbs-up, there’s a very bright place at the end of this flight.

God speed, ANSMET heroes,  we’re all flying with you in spirit.  And fly with pride- most of us are really, really jealous.

-Ralph