Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 07/23/2008 - 15:52

Have you found him yet?  What is the temperature outside, and of the sea?  Do you swim each day?  Quayny arrives Friday with Keela and Mason;  we'll be sure she reads your journal.  It's raining and 60 degrees here, and has been for almost a week.  (We are nevertheless having martinis on the porch.) What birds have you seen?  Penguins?  (Taplin wants to know.) Sea creatures? (Zoe) Has the sun come out?  Are there hot spots in the ocean? (Taplin) We are very proud of you and excited for you. (all, but especially Lynn) Thanks for sending the letter!

love from us all:  Io, Taplin, Zeyla, Zoe, Dan, Lynn and Bill. 

Gerty Ward

Dear Porters one and all--
Thank you so much for following along. 
No, no Santa sightings yet.  As the sun is shining 24/7, he may be napping in preparation for the holidays. 
No, we do not swim.  The water temperatures range from -1 to about 6 celsius, not exacly inviting.  Also, we have been in patchy ice, another deterrent.
 We have seen a few seals and birds from afar.  We are hoping for more. Alas, Taplin, penguins are only at the South Pole in Antarctica.  We are hoping to see polar bears.  Next week we travel north onto the ice where we have a good chance to see one.
Sea creatures I have seen aplenty! Tomorrow's journal topic is on the plankton and be sure to watch the video about how they are caught.  There is a surprise at the end.
The sun has come out one once so far, but as we move farther away from land, the fog and clouds are expected to clear.
I am not aware of hot spots in the Arctic ocean.  That would certain be a popular place though!  It is cold up here.
All the best, and I will think of you at martini time.
Gerty 

The Sketch family

Hi Gerty!
We are following your journey and think it is totally "cool" (no pun intended!) to be where you are!  Many of the questions we thought about have already been addressed but we are wondering how the ship is heated and is it truly warm in your cabin? We will keep posted! 
The Sketch family
Beth, Mike, Sean and Mary