Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:39

hi! my name is Will and I go to Webb School of Knoxville. I am in First grade, and I am in the Lower School. I am doing a project about Antarctica. What is your favorite animal that you have seen in Antarctica? How cold has it been? My dad searched Antarctica, and he showed us a picture of your research houses. My dad said they looked like a space ship! Does yours look like a space ship? What do you wear when you go out in the snow?

I hope you type back!

Your friend, Will

Michele Cross

Hi Will!!!
So, you're from Knoxville, huh?? While we were out in the field, I flew my Lady Vols National Champioships flag for a couple of days. Gotta love the orange and white...and baby blue for the ladies! (Be looking for my upcoming journal entries and pictures from the field!)
 Because we're finally back, I get to answer your questions--and they are mighty fine questions! My favorite animal so far has to be the Weddell seal that came up in a dive hole that I was peering into as it was the first dive hole I'd seen in the ice. I had my head right over and was leaning over to get a better look when he popped up and startled me! I made a little movie of him breathing and then diving back under. It's on my website.
I've only seen Emperor penguins from afar, but their behavior was pretty interesting to watch. I'm hoping to see either the Emperor or Adelie up close before I leave.
When I first got here, it was below zero with wind chills in the minus teens. But, because we're moving farther into "summer", we've not had many days below zero. Daytime highs can be in the mid 20's to mid 30's, but when the wind cranks up (30-40+ mph sustained), it can make it feel much colder...but still not like it was when I first got here. When our engineers came down in August, they had a 90 below zero (F) day!!! Yikes!!
If your dad found pictures of Crary Lab, it DOES look like a spaceship from the outside!! We're located in the 3rd phase or the "bottom" floor. Here's a link to a Youtube video made by one of my teammates--Henry Kaiser. Take a tour!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD5soh-mLK4
When I go out away from McMurdo, I wear extreme cold weather gear--a big, red, goose down parka called "Big Red" (my best friend), bunny boots, bib wind pants, layers of long johns, zip up fleece, hat, gloves and neck gaiter. Of course, there have been a couple of days lately when I've worn the fleece pull over only and a pair of fleece lined work pants (all over my merino wool base layer, of course). Let me tell you something neat about merino wool. You can wear it for days and it won't stink!! I didn't believe it until this trip!! But, it's true!!
Will, please let me know if you have any more questions. I'd love to help you with information for your project!! Take care, my young friend!!
Mrs. Cross