Almost there!

I'm nearing the end of a four-day voyage across the Magellan Strait and through the tumultuous Drake Passage.  The old salts on board are telling us greenhorns that the Drake was a millpond compared to some trips they’ve been on.  I’m counting my lucky stars.  Now we’re slowly navigating the Gerlache Strait, with the Western Antarctic Peninsula on our left and outer islands on our right. We'll land on Anvers Island, the home of Palmer Research Station.  A couple of humpback whales were frolicking off the starboard bow a little while ago.

The land/seascape is stunning -- a continuous iceberg sculpture garden in front with some jagged mountains ripping into the horizon behind.  I'll update once we're situated at Palmer and I have Net access. It feels like I'm in a cathedral when standing on the deck soaking up the vastness, the white (there must be many shades of white; there sure are many names for different classifications of sea ice and icebergs, which I'll explore later). And the silence.  Except for the constant drone of the LM Gould's engine.  I expect I’ll be waddling like a penguin for the first few hours back on land as I lose my sea legs.

I wish you were here! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!



Comments

[Karen McKinnon]

I'm so enjoying reading your blog entries! Wish I was there, too, and can't wait to hear more about the adventures.

[Wendy Redal]

So exciting! Thanks for keeping us updated via your blog. Tom Y. just posted to Facebook that you called! Sat phone? Pretty cool. Can't wait to see more photos. We are going to have a lot to talk about at Lucile's after Christmas!!

[Sarah Alpern]

Wow- what an adventure Susie! Great posts so far. I just caught up. Congrats on avoiding the dreaded seasickness for the most part. Sounds like there is quite a mix of interesting people to keep you entertained and enlightened. Can't wait to hear about Antarctica once you are off the boat.

We missed you tons at Thanksgiving, but toasted you often.

Love ya,
Sarah

ps- I want to see photos of the whales!

[Mandy]

Wow Susan! Just saw your Facebook status. What a trip. It sounds fabulous. I missed the show this morning but I'm sure I can get it through the archives. Looking forward to reading more.

[Holly Beggs]

Susan, The iceberg sculpture garden(s) and the limited amount of noise, sounds uniquely magical. Looking forward to the rest of the story...

[Stephen Schmid]

The landscape looks stunning! You go, Suz!

[dianne finch]

Wow....

I remember the glaciers and icebergs in Alaska...beautiful blue sculptures floating down rivers. But this voyage looks incredible. I must do this one day Susan! So great. I want to stand on that deck and see those icebergs! So jealous!!!!

Enjoy every minute....

Dianne - back in Cambridge...how dull!!!