super sunday

Sun-day: The weather cleared up significantly for the first time since Christmas on Saturday evening; just on time for the C-17 to land at 22:00. I worked late to transport people leaving out there, and pick up the new batch of folks arriving. The drive (one way) is over an hour to the Pegasus airfield and I had a loaded passenger Delta. The prior days' weather provided some soft snow and a bumpy ride out to the airfield. For the first time, I had to stop the Delta due to a woman who came down with carsickness. It was a relief to see the plane leave. I hoped for package mail, but we only received a small batch of letter mail. The return trip was more difficult than the one out there. However, the two front seat passengers had never been to Antarctica before, so I was able to point out various features along the way home. Some penguins treated us to a viewing along the road home, too!

Speaking of penguins...This year has been a year to behold wildlife! Saturday and Sunday were prime viewing days for 50 - 100 Adelie penguins out on our Hut Point. I'm pretty sure that everyone in McMurdo walked the 1/2 mile, or so, to the hut to sit and watch them. I equate the show they put on with the best movie in theaters now. It's easy to give them human characteristics and their lack of caution around humans is bizarre! A couple were so close I could have put my hand out to touch them (but the Antarctic Wildlife Treaty specifically says I can't alter their behavior). I watched their funny antics yesterday for quite some time and took far too many photos of them! It was the perfect way to end the day.

If you are wondering what the picture of snow is (to the left), I thought I should post a picture of the peculiar penguin tracks. They have webbed feet and a tail that drags between them. The effect is unique for a bird. Then again, they are unique in the bird family as they swim and do not fly.



On the way out to Hut Point, Jen and I stopped to take some pictures of the Oden, a Swedish Ice Breaker that plowed the primary channel to McMurdo. The US Coast Guard continues to cut a channel back and forth, but has not docked yet. It is strange to see such a large piece of machinery parked in the slushy water. Our pier is a humongous chunk of well-groomed ice. Whales have been sighted behind the boat, which most station people smile on.

The annual McMurdo (USA) v. Scott Base (New Zealand) rugby game took place on Sunday as well. The Kiwis always win. The US team never scores. Nothing changed this year. Scott Base won the game 22-0. This was the first rugby match I attended. I didn't realize the game was so brutal! There were three injuries worthy of a trip to Medical and some cuts and bruises.

Prior to the rugby game, I ran a 8k (5 mile) race. It was a tiring bit of exercise. My muscles dehydrated in the first 1/4 mile and the first half of the course was all uphill. But, I finished and I ran better than 10 minute miles, which I consider quite good considering I haven't run more than 3 miles here yet.

So, all that excitement in one day meant that plenty of people went to bed exhausted!


*favorite photos: close-ups of the adelies.