Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 04:49
Forums
Oden Antarctic Expedition 08

Jeff- 

Well the kids and I have been watching your posts closely at home and figuring out where you are at the moment. I am driving everyone crazy at school yapping about your trip. My classes are fascinated with your adventures and are trying to get a handle on your change in latitude in terms of climate and daylight hours. The students are also wondering about the specifics of dogs in Antarctica since they have seen the Eight Below movie.

Ally and Ben are most impressed with the critters you are seeing and the pictures of you on the boat.  Your niece thought the dolphins were just beautiful, but your nephew would definitely like you to work on pictures of these birds (aka obvious relatives of the dinosaurs).  He thought that you might want to have your camera on a lanyard around your neck at all times. Wink He would be a very helpful lab assistant you know.

We love and miss you, but are just SO excited about how perfect this experience is for you.

Kathy 

Mon, 12/08/2008 - 11:46

Jeff Peneston

Kathy!I have responded to about 40 questions in the last few days and it was not until I spoke with Jan on the satellite phone this morning that I learned your question had been lost in the shuffle!  YIKES!   So, here goes…
At this moment (10 am 12/8) we are located off the west coast of the Palmer Peninsula.  If you look at a map of Antarctica and you rotate it so that the Palmer Peninsula is at the top, we are about half way down on the left side.  Adelaide Island is about 130 miles to our east and we are a few hundred miles north of the sea ice.  We hope to see our first drifting ice and cross the Antarctic Circle today.
Regarding dogs in Antarctica, remember that the movie Eight Below is set in the early 1990’s and sled dogs had been in Antarctica for about 100 years.  However, the international rules now prohibit everyone from bringing any exotic animals to Antarctica including dogs because of the risks they pose to native wildlife.  In fact, part of the reason that one of the science teams is on the Oden is to study the diseases that the Antarctic seals are exposed to because of their contact with non-native pathogens.  
Tell Ally that they dolphins and the sea birds are very beautiful, especially they way they move above and below the water.  I agree that Ben would be an excellent assistant but even though my camera is constantly in a pouch on my belt, it is very difficult to get a picture of a flying bird from a rolling ship.  I have taken some video of the birds that I will post in a few days.  I am glad that your family is having fun following the adventure and I hope our brother is also checking in.  It is fun to imagine the color of green Bill is when he wishes he could be with his big brother right now.  He He.
Love to all,
Jeff