My jacket zipped, sunglasses covering my eyes, I stepped out onto the frozen continent. Snow crunched beneath my feet as if walking on styrofoam. An icy blast of cold whipped across my face, but I was not deterred. I snapped picture after picture while being herded onto the odd bus that would take me to my home for the next five weeks. A truly memorable day had commenced at 4:30am and by 2:30pm I had my first footfalls on the icy ground. It is 9pm now and I am just sitting down to reflect and ponder about my day.
A briefing with more rules, regulations and expectations than a typical school had been my welcome in McMurdo. So much to remember. I am thankful for Hongjie's experience and ability to answer our questions and point us in the right direction. We stopped by the Crary Lab, picked up luggage and ate dinner. Our evening was spent listening to a science talk on the brine conditions under Antarctica. The science here is amazing and I feel vastly inadequate sitting next to these brilliant people but my interest is piqued. As the speaker continues his presentation, I find myself wondering about how bacteria in this harsh environment are undergoing chemosynthesis with little more than ice and a few isotopes from which to derive their energy. The science nerd in me emerges and I am instantly drawn back into school mode. How can I teach my students about this? Where can I fit this new information? I am in a good place!
So, here are my pics of the day. From dawn to well, the sun shining brightly at nearly 10pm, a sequential look at this most eventful day. Flat Lorax cards from Dani in 1st grade and senior, Jessica, cap off the night!
Geared up and ready to depart!
Waiting room on the morning of departure.
Boarding the C-17!
Inside the C-17 with all of our cargo!
Looking down the aisle from my jump seat. It is going to be a long 5 hours!
Looking out the window of the C-17 as we cross the Pacific Ocean!
Getting closer to Antarctica, looking out the window under the wing!
A view of the ice and fissures from above.
Interior view of the C-17 looking down from the cockpit. Loud, but not totally uncomfortable!
We have landed. Door is open, sunshine streaming in!
First views of Antarctica.
Looking back at our aircraft and the view in that direction.
Walking to the bus, I stopped to take a pic of the bright sun streaming through the clouds.
Our bus or vehicle transport to McMurdo awaits our arrival.
A view of the mountains as we head across the frozen airfield.
The tractor pulling our transport vehicle, an odd site on such white and remote ground.
One last look back at our C-17 and all of us walking the distance to our transport.
Another view looking out across Williams Air Field.
Seals! They are far away, but we can spot them from the windows of the Crary Library!
The view from my dorm room at nearly 10pm. Pretty light outside!
Flat Lorax postcards for Dani in 1st grade and Jessica in HS!
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