Getting Ready to Leave for the Cayman Islands

The 2011 Hands-On Explorer Team is getting ready to leave for the Cayman Islands! We’re almost done packing, and we have all received our itineraries and passports, so we’re just about ready to go. We’ve been getting to know each other by email, but we’re all excited to finally meet in person. We fly to Grand Cayman this Friday–that’s only two days away!

Each team member received an expedition backpack, water bottle, and journal. We have been practicing with our new Nikon cameras, and we’re really excited about the great pictures we’ll be taking with them.

We plan to post blog entries every day with photos illustrating our adventures. Follow the blog to live the adventure with us!

Photograph by Margaret Jackson, My Shot

Comments

luckstomper
July 6, 2011, 3:07 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. I can’t believe the start of the 5th HOEC is about to kick off! I hope every one of the 15 winners has a blast, and seizes every moment they get! Have fun everyone! I will stay tuned and will be anxiously awaiting everyone’s posts and photos! I wonder who will be the next Grace (HOEC Australia), or McKenna (HOEC Peru)?

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
jindo2108
July 6, 2011, 8:28 pm

Holy cow, I haven’t checked this blog enough!
They’re gettin’ ready to leave!
Hope everyone on da trip has an awesome time….:)
mendel-family-five
July 7, 2011, 11:30 am

Good luck Maddie! We are so happy you were chosen to be one of the Hands-On Explorer Team Members! We know they sure did pick the right kid to be an explorer! You were born to explore! We can’t wait to read your updates and look forward to hearing from you soon. Enjoy the trip! Love, The Mendel Family
cowgirlexplorer
July 7, 2011, 7:38 pm

Wow, i cant believe thats the trip is already here! Wish i was going with you guys! Have lots of fun and do cool stuff you wouldnt be able to do otherwise.

have fun!

Celeste
Skimp27
July 7, 2011, 7:41 pm

You guys are sooo lucky to have this experience! I’ll be excited to follow the blogs as the posts from Peru and Australia made me feel like I was right there. Take lots of pictures and tell us about the adventures the rest of us are missing alright!
-skimp27
Auntie Gigi
July 8, 2011, 9:11 am

Wooo Hoooo! I hope you all have the greatest time!!! Maddie, we love you! Be adventurous and have the greatest time! Your the best! We are so happy you have this Opportunity! They definetly picked the right girl!!
luckstomper
July 8, 2011, 12:28 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. AND THEY’RE OFF! The winners are leaving for Grand Cayman today! Lucky ducks. I can’t wait for the blog entries and such! Hopefully there will be videos this year. Have you guys checked out the itinerary yet? If you haven’t do so!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
meggy3
July 8, 2011, 12:33 pm

Hi Everyone!

Have the best time ever! We are so anxious to hear about your experiences!

Ray and Jan
jmg22033
July 8, 2011, 2:05 pm

Have a wonderful expedition, Diego! This is the trip of a lifetime and we know that you are going to have a blast exploring the Cayman Islands. We look forward to sharing this adventure with you and your fellow explorers by reading the blog this week. Have fun! Love, The Gutierrez Family
cowgirlexplorer
July 8, 2011, 2:30 pm

I just looked at the itineraries, and it looks AMAZING! Its like they picked out the greatest things you could possibly do, and packed it all into 1 week! So jealous…

~Celeste~
snakeking
July 9, 2011, 1:53 am

Have fun, Brody! You surely deserved this trip. You are the most enthusiastic explorer I know. Pretty sure the rest of your team is as excited about exploring Caymans as you are. I wish I were there with you Take lots of pictures, make good friends, and learn new skills. I will follow your adventure by reading this blog every day. Rory
snakeking
July 9, 2011, 2:03 am

Have fun, Brody! You surely deserved this trip. You are the most enthusiastic explorer I know. Pretty sure the rest of your team is as excited about exploring Caymans as you are. I wish I were there with you Take lots of pictures, make good friends, and learn new skills. I will follow your adventure by reading this blog every day. Rory
Claket24
July 9, 2011, 8:53 am

Michael, i hope things are going well for you. I know that you are going to have a blast.
Keep us posted as to wht is going on!
Mrs. Teets
TigerPrincess
July 9, 2011, 3:20 pm

I am so jealous. My mom, when she was in the USAF, went to Iceland. She told me all about it. I wish she could have taken me with her. She didn’t know until it was too late, but I could have gone too. She told me that Iceland was so cool.

Anyway, I am sure the Grand Caymans are cool too. I wish I could be there too. I want to travel when I grow up. Maybe I will join the USAF when I get old enough.
MickelThePickel
July 10, 2011, 4:00 pm

Mickel!!!! <3
waterlily
July 10, 2011, 9:58 pm

Dear fellow commenters,
So time is a little off for me, but I have a good excuse. On June 21, I got into a car and high tailed it on a 2 day car trip to Henderson, Nevada for my aunt’s wedding. Then I got back in the car and drove to Minden, Nevada to visit another one of my aunts. we stayed there for a week then we all drove back to my grandparents house for the 4th of July. I currently reside there. the point is I haven’t had internet access in 3 weeks. so congrats to the winners. Have a good time in the Cayman Islands. tell us all about it and give us some amazing pictures. wish me luck on my two day car trip home to Lincoln, Nebraska.
Yours Truly,
Waterlily~~Reilly
p.s.I apologize for my bad spelling
Charlie-in-Staunton
July 12, 2011, 9:39 am

The pictures have been amazing! I am enjoying reading the extremely descriptive narratives with the pictures! (Thank you “Blog-Entry on-line” person! ) I wish I was there to experience all of these fun, wonderful and beautiful things with you all!