Travels of the Zephyr:
The adventures of
James Mac Killian
* By Caroline Mac Killian

James
Mac Killian

Who was James Mac Killian?
On my sixth birthday, my grandfather gave me a world
map. That gift changed my life. It set the course of my
fate: I would be an explorer or nothing at all.
From then on, my childhood was entirely devoted to a
succession of models and sketches aimed at developing
the prototype that would carry me to the far ends of the
world.
I spent years perfecting a hot-air balloon with a propeller
to fall back on when there wasn’t enough wind, and a
heated cabin to brave sub-zero temperatures. I called it
the Zephyr in tribute to the great mythological character of
the same name, who symbolizes the west wind.
I made dozens of arduous trial flights. Then I spent an
entire two years preparing for my journey. Nothing could
be left to chance.
I am taking abundant supplies of food, survival
equipment, an inflatable raft in case I crash into the sea,
and all the tools required to repair the hydraulic system if
it breaks down. I plan on making the journey in nine
stages, stopping on various islands and continents for an
average of two months. If all goes well, I should be back
in late May, 1925. For the rest, I am counting on the lucky
star that has watched over me since birth. I hope it will
stay with me through this adventure.
James Mac Killian
October 4, 1923

The Zephyr

A journey around the world

Journal entry
October 10, 1923
I am overjoyed: It has taken exactly five days to reach the
shores of Greenland, just as I projected. The Zephyr is
living up to my hopes. The sun is shining bright, but the
portholes are covered in frost; it must be very cold.
The sea is nearly obscured by icebergs. I can’t believe
how big they are--some are nearly as tall as my castle!
The jagged coasts are spectacular.
The Zephyr begins its descent onto the ice cap. Hundreds
of black dots start moving beneath me: penguins! It’s
funny to see the penguins wiggle about from up here.
They look like balls rolling all around.
The ice stretches as far as the eye can see. Suddenly, I
feel overwhelmed: How will I find any humans in this
endless land? Is my journey madness?
I have to blink hard to believe what I see: Those
silhouettes in the distance really are two Inuit gesturing
with their arms. As I get closer, the silhouettes become
bigger and motion to me. The Zephyr makes a perfect
landing, though tears of joy obscure my vision. My first
human encounter on the far end of the world!

The Inuit

Journal entry
October 10, 1923
I am overjoyed: It has taken exactly five days to reach the
shores of Greenland, just as I projected. The Zephyr is
living up to my hopes. The sun is shining bright, but the
portholes are covered in frost; it must be very cold.
The sea is nearly obscured by icebergs. I can’t believe
how big they are--some are nearly as tall as my castle!
The jagged coasts are spectacular.
The Zephyr begins its descent onto the ice cap. Hundreds
of black dots start moving beneath me: penguins! It’s
funny to see the penguins wiggle about from up here.
They look like balls rolling all around.
Start with the exact date of the
writing. Keep track of time!
Express your
feelings and
reactions to your
discoveries.
Where are you? How
long did it take to get
there?
Describe your
surroundings.
Compare with
things you know
What did you find?
What surprises you?

Journal entry
Journeys are a moment of self-
reflection: What do you think
about yourself? Do you have
any doubts about the journey?
Is there hope? What excites
you about the journey?
Why is it worth it?
The ice stretches as far as the eye can see. Suddenly, I
feel overwhelmed: How will I find any humans in this
endless land? Is my journey madness?
I have to blink hard to believe what I see: Those
silhouettes in the distance really are two Inuit gesturing
with their arms. As I get closer, the silhouettes become
bigger and motion to me. The Zephyr makes a perfect
landing, though tears of joy obscure my vision. My first
human encounter on the far end of the world!