This morning, we discovered an Easter basket of candy on our front porch. Whoever left it there, Crew 61 thanks you.

We laid out our plans for the rest of the week; at least one EVA each day, with two to five crewmembers participating in each.

Today's EVA simulated a walkback scenario from a simulated ATV/Rover mechanical breakdown. Marcus, Elizabeth, and P.J. successfully performed the 2.5 Km walk, Alex accompanied and coordinated things from Elizabeth's pickup, and Irene was the Cap-Com at the Hab.

Me, I broke sim to go to Hanksville. Paul Graham needed some items from the Hab for his trip to the arctic to prepare for the Mars Society's four-month FMARS mission, so I jumped in the V'ger (the Voyager mini-van) to take it to him.

Now, I've been fortunate to experience a number of very gratifying moments during this mission, such as:

• Finally nailing the big hill in ATV training;
• Those first seconds when the helmet is removed after a long, hot EVA;
• Delivering an EX-cellent response, without a single "um", to a reporter's question during an on-camera interview;

But none of them compare to today, when Paul loaned me his satellite phone and I heard on the line, for the first time in over a week, a couple of familiar high-pitched voices squealing excitedly, "Daddy! Daddy!" Thanks, Paul! I didn't realize how much I needed it.

Don Foutz, our local support, had to leave town unexpectedly to attend to an illness in the family. He and his family are in our prayers. While he is away, we'll be going on our own water re-supply run. Rest assured, we will NOT be wearing EVA suits.

Be Safe, Have Fun, Get It Done - CREW 61!

Chip Shepherd
Commander, MDRS Crew 61