Fall Is In The Air...and Winter is Close Behind

At the Start of the Snowstorm

When it Ended

Killer Twisted Icicles!

The weather seems to be changing. It is getting a little colder and we have been more cloudy days with snow. Last weekend we got 8+ inches of snow! Hopefully it will keep getting colder so the ice runway can become operational. We have not had any mail or "Freshies" since well before Christmas and people are starting to get cranky! The C-17 was supposed to come in starting on the 21st but so far it has not been able to land here. We are almost into February and that means I will be coming home soon!

The Ships Are Coming!

In addition to the cruise ships that are making their way here with extremely wealthy passengers (It costs them about $30,000 per person to cruise down here) the Ice Breaker, Fuel and Cargo ships are on their way! Here is an article about that:
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=119053

And in case I haven't mentioned it before, I volunteered to be a Tour Guide for when the cruise ships arrive. I had training last week and am certified to show people around our humble and cold home!

Blog Link

Please see this blog. It has nice pictures about where I'm living!

http://scienceroadshow.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/mcmurdo-sights-around-town/

Whale Tagging

Here is a YouTube video of whale tagging . My boss got the opportunity to go on this trip and had an amazing time. Lucky her!!

Discovery Hut aka Scott's Hut

Here's some photos from the inside of Discovery Hut at Hut Point. Discovery Hut was built by Robert Falcon Scott during the Discovery Expedition of 1901–1904 in 1902 and is located at Hut Point on Ross Island by McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Visitors to Antarctica, arriving at either the US Base at McMurdo or New Zealand's Scott Base are likely to encounter Discovery Hut as all three are located on Hut Point. Discovery Hut is just 300m from McMurdo Base.

Some confusion arises because Discovery Hut can correctly be referred to as Scott's Hut, in that his expedition built it, and it was his base 'ashore' during the 1901–1904 expedition. But the title 'Scott's Hut' correctly belongs to the building erected in 1911 at Cape Evans.

Here's some pictures I took on New Years Day.

Ice Stock 2012-2013

This is part of what happened on New Year's Eve! This was so much fun! WARNING - Strong language!

Happy New Year 2013

Happy 2013 from the bottom of the world! I had a super - amazing day yesterday celebrating New Years Eve! It started with brunch - egg white omelet with ham, onions, peppers and cheese. Then I spent some time at my favorite place - the coffee house. Went for a walk down to Hut Point to go inside Scott's Hut and that was quite amazing! Old cans of food, mummified seals and sheep used for food, tools and other items. Then I had to see if my penguin friend was still there (YES, I SAW A PENGUIN A FEW DAYS AGO!!!!) and he was there!! So I hung out and took some more pictures and by the time I got back to town, Ice Stock had begun. Ice Stock was our New Years Eve celebration. There was a chili cook - off (Amazing chili!) and 11 bands playing from 4:00 PM til 1:00 AM..oh and Skuas!! They were having a great time swooping over the crowd and pooping on people! They did this every 30 minutes or so! No I didn't get hit! I had a lot of fun with my friends here at the Bottom of the World but have been thinking about all my friends and family back home too! I will be home pretty soon and can't wait!!

Happy New Year! Here's to a Happy and Healthy 2013!! As the Kiwi's say, "Cheers"!!

Inside the Coffee House

My Adelie Penguin Friend

Ice Stock, McMurdo Station, Antarctica