Antarctica The long journey across the US and New Zealand “ends” with an 8 hour trip in an LC-130 down to McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Arrival at William field My first step onto “the ice”

McMurdo Station Bags unpacked and posing for a tourist picture in McMurdo

Birdseye view of McMurdo This is the largest human settlement on the entire content of Antarctica. Just over 1,100 people during the Austral summer (Oct-Feb) and 200 during the winter.

Life in McMurdo This is McMurdo General Hospital. ***Note the Penguin*** These vehicles are “McTracks”. I am thinking we could use a few in NY too.

More McMurdo life Most of the residents of McMurdo live in cramped housing like “Hotel California”. Military folks with the 109 th have separate housing. I lived in long brown building in the background.

Not all work I have no pictures of me at work. I was too busy working….. =) However, I did make some friends during my stay. Here are two priests and a co- worker after daily Mass.

Chapel Life The chalice here was brought to Antarctica during the Ross expedition in the 19 th century. The stained glass is also interesting in the manner it incorporates Antarctic elements.

Adventure after work The grand trek to Castle Rock was a great experience. These “apple” shelters are set up every mile to give travelers respite from wind and cold. Maintaining life in this environment is always a challenge.

Castle Rock After a long journey we arrived at Castle Rock. Plenty of opportunity to take goofy pictures. I have spared you from many.

Continued Inspiration I went on a hike almost every day after work. Mostly, the hills surrounding the Station. Incredible views! Note the approaching Coast Guard Ice Breaker on the Ross Sea.

An international desert This is the largest, driest and highest desert in the world. A beautiful land where all water is frozen. We are not alone in Antarctica. In the distance, you can see Scott Base owned by New Zealand.

Scott Base Named in honor of Capt. Scott, the New Zealand base is a fraction of the size of McMurdo. How do you like the bus stop. Looks like a freezer to me but actually a good shelter

Ice and Seals One of the cool things about Scott Base are the huge ice rifts that form when sea ice and the Ross Ice shelf collide. The collision site creates openings where seals gather. The seals are there… I promise.

“She blinded me with Science” The sole reason we fly to Antarctica is to support the National Science Foundations research efforts. Here Antarctica Cod are being studied for their antifreeze properties. If we can figure out how they live in sub-freezing sea water, we can expand to possible human medical applications.

More geek stuff…. That starfish is two feet across. The water is actual sea water circulated through the tanks every hour. They don’t need no stinkin’ filters. It’s au natural.

Long Duration Ballon How can a grown man get so excited about a balloon? This LDB measures meteorological data in one of the most interesting parts of the planet. Not the best picture but you get the idea.

Are you crazy man ???? During my stay in sunny Antarctica, I decided to “ice camp” on the Ross Ice Shelf. Home for the night…a nice warm quinzhee. Despite the flamingo, you are not in Florida. All you need is a little hot chocolate to keep warm.

Snowed in….. Just don’t stay too long in the outhouse. Blue moon has taken on a whole different meaning.

Tribute to earlier explorers One thing to keep in mind about Antarctica is that many of the earlier explorers here did not return home. The many crosses on hills, to their memory, are tribute to that fact. This cross made of wood from Australia took two days to be carried up Observation Hill by a group of men who wanted to memorialize their fallen friends.

The inscription.. “To strive for, to find, and not to yield.” Thank you Gentlemen.