It is a lazy Saturday morning and even though I had the time to sleep in I still woke up early. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be able to sleep a little later. I went over to breakfast and had a great cup of coffee. It was nice to have a leisurely meal. After breakfast, I walked around outside to take some pictures. I walked all over. I went over to the gym and had some fun taking pictures over there. I also took pictures of the foundations of some of the buildings. There are pipes that run under the buildings. In the winter the pipes are filled with cold air so that the ground (which is permafrost) doesn't melt. This works because instead of the warm buildings touching the cold ground the cold pipes touch the ground ensuring no melting. If the ground melts this can cause instability in the base of the structure. In the summer the pipes are empty.
Adeena Teres relaxing in front of a picture of palm trees at the gym at Thule Air Force Base.
This is a building at Thule Air Force Base in Greenland. It has a garden outside, bringing a little warmth to the base.
It was freezing but I was all bundled up and I was able to keep warm. It was snowing today. The flakes were extremely tiny little crystals of ice. It has been snowing all morning but there is barely a dusting on the ground. It doesn't snow much here because it is so dry. To get around the base taxis are provided. You call up on the base phone, place the order with the taxi service, and within a few minutes a warm red van picks you up and takes you where you want to go.
Taxi at Thule Air Force Base Greenland.
In the afternoon, I went down to the sled dog races. It was a great time. The ice was freezing but I was all bundled up so I didn't feel it. I was wearing three layers. The outermost layer consisted of the jacket, snow pants, and gloves I received when I got on the base. This wardrobe is called my storm gear and it was amazing! I have never been warmer. I was afraid that standing around for one hour out on the ice I would freeze, but I was toasty warm. Did I mention that the races took place on the ice? I took a bus down to the pier and walked onto the ice to watch the races. As I mentioned there was a very light layer of snow that was falling so it made walking on the ice easier. I did dig down with my toe so I could see the ice layer. I was told the ice is several feet deep. It was amazing to think I was walking on frozen ocean water. I was told that if I tasted the ice it would still be salty. On the pier the base was serving Danish hot dogs, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. I of course had to have a cup of tea. It was a nice afternoon.
A dog sled up close. This sled has a NASA IceBridge sticker.
Out on the ice at Thule Air Force Base, Adeena Teres is watching the dog sled races.
Sled Dogs relaxing after the race on Armed Forces Day at Thule Air Force Base.
To warm up after the races I went over to the community center where the base was showing an afternoon movie. I had another cup of tea and I was introduced to a Danish Tree Log. This is my new favorite dessert. It is like a cake pop. It contains left over chocolate cake surrounded by marzipan and dipped in chocolate. I don't even like marzipan but I'm addicted to these delicious treats.
Tonight I went over to the TOW (Top of the World) club. The base provided a buffet, and after the food there was a live band. The day was great and I feel like I just spent the entire day relaxing but I am exhausted. I can't understand how I can be this tired after just being outside in the cold.
Tomorrow the festivities continue and for brunch there will be Danish food. I am enthusiastically waiting to eat and try all of the Danish goodies, and if they serve tree logs I might force myself to have a few.
Comments
Add new comment