voyage that commemorates the 1000th anniversary of Leif Ericsson's visit to North America. The Icelander arrived in Boston on September 8 and will end its journey in New York early next month.
After Gunnar spoke, Ellen Ingvadottir talked about what it was like to be the only woman among the boat's nine member crew, and likewise her role as the boat's media liaison with the outside world.
The historical part of the journey took these intrepid Icelanders to Greenland, Labrador, and L'Anse au Meadows in northern Newfoundland -- roughly the same itinerary as Leif Ericsson's. According to Gunnar, the most dangerous part of the journey came when the boat got stuck in pack ice off the coast of Greenland. The thin-hulled boat survived the encounter, but for a while it seemed touch and go. The image of modern Vikings dressed in red survival suits fending off ice floes is a powerful, albeit somewhat amusing one.
Members also welcomed Faanya Rose, the new President of The Explorers Club, who was in attendance. Faanya spoke about the need to recruit young members for the Club and of the pressing need to repair the Lowell Thomas House in New York so the club could get on with its prime purpose of supporting exploration.