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Lemmon BearsMy sister in-law just called me, they are the couple that we travel with most, and she said she wanted to take a trip to Antarctica. My husband and her husband went a couple years ago and they are still talking about the trip. But she wants me to go, she doesn't want to be the only female. It's called an expedition cruise, on an icebreaker. It would be in January, winter here - summer there. Here is my only concern, I have RA and right now in this mild winter I have been stiff and sore since November and I won't want to slow anyone down. The adventurer in me saying.....shut up and go, take extra medicine, you'll be fine. My bones are saying it looks cold, brrrrrrr.
The adventurer voice in my head is saying. Go, Go, Go, I am going to have to listen to it. I will have to work real hard so I can afford a new camera to take with me.
Who wouldn't want to miss this!!! Now I am excited!!
Well, off to the hot tub, I am cold just talking about this.
Thanks for listening,
Joan
(yes this is the biggest post I have ever done)
Dearest Joan, 
The question is......Will you regret it if you don't go? If you let RA stop you, it will. Live your life, girl! Consult your physician and see what kind of plan you can make ahead of time. Life is so short....I'm reminded of that every day. Dance like nobody's watching!
Warmest hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Oh go !!I would looks so inspiring!!!If you have the right clothes you will be fine I am sure.
Diane xxxx
DoodlebearsJoan the trip looks as if it is one not to miss. I fully understand how you feel concerned by your RA. Just as Aleta said consult your physician and see how he feels. I am sure that you will have a wonderful time if you do decide to go. Wrap yourself up warm, take your medications and have one heck of a good time. This is something not many of us will have the chance to do so if and when you do go please return to us with a full report and lots of wonderful pictures of your trip. Bon Voyage!
Hugs Jane 
Matilda Huggington-beareThat is one of my dream adventures. You must go and I know.......you will go 
Have fun for me!!!!
Matilda 
Posts: 3,177YOU GOTTA GO !!!!!!
OR I'LL GO IN YOUR PLACE HA HA HA 
Penny :hug:
Joan, Having been to Antarctica myself...GO!!!! Do not hesitate. here is some information about the trip I took.
I was on a Russian Registered IceBreaker. The roughest part of the trip was crossing the Drake Passage (get the medications that go behind your ear, they work wonderfully) When we got to the Antarctic Pennisula, we had Zodiacs take us to shore to walk around. The expedition staff was wonderful....helping you in and out of the zodiacs as needed. The visits to shore were the best. You could take a tour with a group, walk by yourself (keep the seals between you and the water) or (as I did a few times) just sit in 1 spot and watch the penguins, seals and birds. If you get the chance to 'swim' on Deception Island, take it! The temperatures while I was there in 2001, January, was anywhere from 25 F. to 47 F. MUCH warmer than I expected, and I was a little disappointed that it wasn't colder. The poor penguins were having a rough time, especially the chicks who can't get in the water. The age group on ship with me was between 30 and 90! My travelling companion was 75 at the time, she had a blast, didn't neccessarily walk where I did, but she encouraged me to go when she didn't want to .
So, in my opinion, DO NOT let any health issues stop you, as long as your doctor says OK. My companion had knee replacement just before we went, so she was not quite as mobile as I was, but she didn't have too much trouble and was VERY glad she went. There are times when I can't sleep, I go back into my memory and watch the penguins walk, slide, run, swim.....and the birds swoop and dive.....a lot of fun, and very relaxing.
Lemmon BearsThanks everyone for all your encouragement! Aleta, you are right, I would reget it if I didn't go. My husband wants to go and he thinks I will be fine. Now I can't wait, I will take lots of pictures and give a full report when I get back. It will be next winter, I've never looked forward to winter before.
Ellen, thanks for the info. It sounds like you had a great trip. I can't wait to see the penguins, we watched the movie March of the Penguins. I haven't met many people that have been to the Antarctic. You must like to travel too. Do you have a 'to do' list of places you want to go? A couple places on my list would be Peru, (Machu Picchu) and Morocco...and.....and....it could go on and on. What about everyone else. If you have a dream trip, where would it be???? 
Joan
Glad to hear that you decided to go Joan. As for my "to do" list: Antarctica again, Alaska, Ireland/Scotland, Denmark (my 'adopted' son is from there and his parents want us to visit) Australia............AND to CHINA to visit the Moon Bears and see Panda Bears in the wild.......plus all of the US and Canada that I haven't been to yet!
Joan,
Can I come with you? I'm glad you decided to go. I would love to do that trip. I know someone who went there and he said it was great. Take tons of pictures so we can see.
On my to do list: New Zealand, Australia, Japan, see the Northern lights, Antarctica, Alaska again (drive up to the Arctic circle; farthest north I got was Fairbanks), Iceland, etc. My mom used to be a stewardess and has been to a lot of places so I have to catch up to her.
Ellen,
Sounds like that was a great trip.
Lemmon BearsI wish I could bring everyone!! I am glad I get to go with my sister-in-law, she is like my best friend. She is ALOT of fun, sometimes we get in trouble.... sometimes she takes her brother (my husband) and they get in trouble. We lost them in the London subway for hours one night, I think it may have been after the Pub visit. 
This will be a great adventure.....
I still have a wish list too. We are trying to get all of the continents in. I am still needing Australia and Africa, after this trip.
Joan
Kiprie BearsHi Joan,
So glad that you decide to go ! :bday:
Like Aleta said, Life is really short... 
I just want to go with your wonderful trip and
meet your sweet sister-in-law.
Hugs/Marie
Newcastle, OntarioHi Joan,
I have two places I dream of going to - one is Vienna and the other is Ireland. Vienna is so beautiful, I'd love to see it in person. I have such a strong feel for Ireland that I'm sure I must have lived there in another life LOL! I love Celtic music and recently bought a few CD's. There is one melody on the CD that makes me extremely emotional every time I hear it, but I'd never heard it before I bought the CD - like I remember it from somewhere - it's really weird. I really hope to get there someday!
Hugs,
Brenda
