The Peninsula

We've been traversing and weaving the ship amidst the peaks of magnificent mountains. The attached snow is deep, the surface is smooth and without visible blemish. Glaciers are as common as the clouds we take for granted in the due course of an ordinary day. Their abrupt endings soar in height, their cut surface is a network of creases, folds, holes, and layers upon layers of blue. They are ancient; and in this land of permanent frost, they birth an unending succession of unique progeny into the sea... floating, rolling, large and small... it is the ice in Mother Natures ocean cocktail.

If you will glance at our map, the region of our exploration is in and around the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is the area where the winter ice has loosened its hold and allowed some measure of access. Even so, often our Captain plows through floating sea ice, and skirts the larger icebergs. This is also the area where many of the research stations call home. No single country lays claim to Antarctica. Rather, there is an agreed upon treaty that manages this wilderness. The guidelines protect this continent from abuse and exploitation. In this regard, it seems that the majority of the world is in agreement.

At Port Lockroy

Yesterday, on a lovely Thanksgiving Day, we visited two of the research stations located within the peninsula. Our first was the historic British base called Port Lockroy, at present restored by the Antarctic Heritage Trust. It is not much more than a small museum, gift shop, and post office. Over the summer months less than 10 people will live here. Then in our afternoon we were given an escorted tour of the USA Palmer Research Station. This is one of three US Antarctic stations, and the smallest. This summer community averages about forty; and their focus is research. It was nice to visit them on Thanksgiving, and we spent our afternoon and evening getting to know one another. Of course, they also had a gift shop... and it seemed that our post-Thanksgiving shopping came a day earlier this year.

Palmer Station- USA

Dinner was delightfully traditional as we laughed with new friends, and made toasts to our numerous Blessings. I can't think of a more unique place to spend a holiday!  (And no dishes to clean up!) We enjoyed turkey, stuffing, cranberry... you get the idea!

The past few days we've also continued our theme of having fun in Antarctica. Kayaking was a real winner, and of course snowball fights, and trying to sled on our butts. Quite soon our journey will turn due north, as we put our sights on home. With extra time at sea I hope to share with you some of the video footage I've been accumulating.