Incredibly enough, we arrived in Hanksville a week ago tonight. I have been reflecting on how our mood has changed, with ups and downs like a temperature chart.

This afternoon after the 1900h meeting, the crew was obviously elated. Everyone was speaking grandly about the day and our accomplishments. The mood was harmonious, like a family, celebratory, like walking together down a glade.

This feeling began this morning with the school visit. I sensed the adrenaline, how being with the children energized everyone. We were all smiling, caught up in the kids' questions. One of my favorite moments was when a little blond girl with pigtails asked a zillion questions about every single detail she spotted on Thibodeaux, the robot. How oddly the visit whirled and pushed us, like the persistent wind.

But yesterday we were a bit down. I was feeling a bit monkish, eager to hole up in my stateroom and be alone for a few hours. Once yesterday, when it was so warm someone spoke a bit short, I felt my temper rise, offended. Was it the dry hot wind, fraying our nerves?

And why were so tired Sunday, from the work of moving in? The fatigue of travel? Or just the dryness that wore us out?

Yet often, working inside the hab or a truck, we are all focused in thought, concentrating on details—writing, cabling, programming, planning. Time rushes by in what psychologists call a "flow experience."

So what causes all of this: Being judgmental, concerned, or humored? Feeling short or elated, tired, energized or engaged? And how often are we all feeling the same, caught up in a trend? And do phases follow a pattern, so every MDRS crew could be charted from hope to busy activity through disappointment and fatigue, and sudden elation?

Okay, here's a simple check. Let's see how I have described the "Crew physical status" on the same days of the week in 2003, 2004, and this week.

Sunday
2003: Clean, busy, and happy.
2004: Warm, a bit tired, ready for dinner.
2005: Dry and warm.

Monday
2003: Very busy, warm, and a bit tired.
2004: Moving around, always busy.
2005: Busy and productive,

Tuesday
2003: Very busy, with improved spirits.
2004: Focused, working together intensely for eight hours nearly non-stop.
2005: Settling into the groove, adapted now to time zone and more energetic.

Wednesday
2003: Focused; trying to establish an appropriate pace for the longer run.
2004: Clean and busy. Good spirits.
2005: Comfortable, busy.

Thursday
2003: Feeling a bit rushed.
2004: Enthused and happy. Ready for a big dinner and relaxing evening.
2005: Somewhat warm from the dry hot winds.

Friday
2003: Generally very good, but ready for a break.
2004: Some stiff and sore shoulders and backs, glad for a quieter day.
2005: Very active, energetic from the school visit and cooler weather.

Can we learn anything from this? These are all my descriptions, so I am probably prone to use the same words. I do notice that the first Monday through Wednesday seems to be a period of busy, focused work. But by Thursday and Friday, we are feeling the effects of the pace. Of course, a successful test (like today) or repeated disappointment (like yesterday) has a big effect on everyone's mood.

Seeing this list, I wish I had surveyed the group. A good idea for next week.