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Seeing ice
Seeing ice
October 28, 2024
I awoke this morning to a very loud and constant noise, yet the ship did not seem to be pitching and rolling like it had been the past couple of days. I got up and peeked out my window, and the surface of the Southern Ocean was covered in huge pancakes of ice! The loud sound I was woken up by was our ship carving through this ice. I guess that's what an icebreaker ship is for!
I immediately got my government-issued steel-toed boots, classic red USAP windbreaker, and my binoculars and headed out to the bow of the ship. As soon as I got out there, I was staring at a massive iceberg! Standing there, at the bow of an icebreaker, in my official gear, seeing an actual iceberg is when everything really started to sink in: I am at the bottom of the world. I am actually almost to Antarctica.
Approximately 8:00 AM
Approximately 7:00 PM
Approximately 10:00 PM
We crossed the 60 S latitude line yesterday, which marks the official boundary of the Southern Ocean. As I post this, we are starting to see the islands that dot the edge of the Antarctic Peninsula, which means our stop at Palmer Station is close. We are scheduled to dock at Palmer Station tomorrow morning, which will be followed by some training, orientation and tours. I have also heard rumors about a possible glacier hike and ice plunge -- both of which I will absolutely sign up for.
I'll round off this post with a couple pictures of our movie night last night in the 02 lounge. Those who know me well know that I'm not much of a movie person, but it was kind of nice to snuggle up in my own recliner and laugh with a bunch of strangers that I can now call friends.
Many of these friends will be staying at Palmer Station for the next several months and we will say goodbye to them soon. The rest of us, however, will continue to call this big ship home for several more weeks.
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