Palmer Station and Cruising the Peninsula
This icebound landscape has just recently shared some of its secrets with the outside world. The most basic facts about Antarctica were not known until the most modern of times. Through the hard work of early explorers and now with modern scientists taking the reigns, new information on Antarctic natural history emerges at a staggering pace. On our last day exploring The Peninsula, we visited Palmer Station, part of the United States Antarctic Program, where dedicated scientists conduct research and also have a place to call home in this far-flung region of Earth. During the short austral summers, researchers work at a feverish pace to collect as much data as possible on subjects as varied as ocean water chemistry to penguin population dynamics. Save for a few very hardy souls, they will then return home where statistics will be run and preparations for the next season are hashed and rehashed, all with the desire to learn more about this special continent.
Regardless of where we live, it is difficult to reach Antarctica. Surrounded by a powerful ocean generating impressive weather systems, getting to The White Continent has never been an affair to take lightly. After a marvelous experience exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, we being our journey north. We began this voyage with our love of exploration as our common ground. Beyond having shared such a memorable experience, we now have one more thing in common: Regardless of our country of origin, we all must head north to find home. Alaska, Sweden, Costa Rica, Long Island, Scotland, all to the north. Towards home.
It is a luxury when something as formidable as crossing the Drake Passage becomes little more than a formality to be checked off and enjoyed in relative comfort, a testament to the worthiness of National Geographic Explorer, her Captain, and Crew. So with anticipation we leave the protection of the Antarctic waterways and head out to sea. We look forward to the Drake Passage and many feel that should the Southern Ocean whip up a tempest, we will gladly accept her fury with a smile from the comfort of a warm bed.
As the latitude gradually lowers, some of us will see night sky for the first time in a week. At home, we will stretch our vocabulary to the breaking point trying to describe the smell of a penguin colony to friends and family. Photos will scarcely give justice to the beauty of such an awesome landscape. Spoken word will give way to gesticulation when trying to recreate scene after scene from this epic journey.
Tonight the ice faded from view, but in memory it will remain vivid and mysterious.
