15 October 2011 Goodbye is a Tough Word

Journal

Departures

It's been really hard over the last few days to say goodbye to some of our team members. They have gone back to their families and on to new adventures. Though we continue on here at McMurdo, many of our thoughts, laughs, and stories involve our friends who are now so many miles away.

Dr. Adam Marsh

Dr. Marsh has returned to his family and his work at the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment in Lewes, Delaware. Although he is not here, he continues to be in contact with us, helping us even from so far away. I have never met an easier person to get along with or work with. Adam has been incredibly generous with his time, energy, and talent. He has shared so many lessons both about research, diving, the Antarctic, and life in general. We owe him a great deal for sharing so many of his fabulous underwater photos that we have used in our journals. On top of this, he always agreed to early morning phone calls with classes and my outrageous requests for photos. I can't wait to see where our collaboration will lead for students in the classroom.

There are so many memories!

Adam surface supply — Adam was the master of the worm collection.

Dr. Marsh hardcore — If Dr. Marsh doesn't look like a hardcore diver here, I don't know what does.

The highly scientific sinking technique…

Mike and Adam lounging — Adam and Mike took a bit of joking about their matching drysuits.

Dr. Stacy Kim

Dr. Kim is on her way back to her life and her work at Moss Landing Marine Lab in California. Stacy has been a constant inspiration to take in all that Antarctica has to offer. It seems that everyday is a new adventure when Stacy is around. It's been an honor and a pleasure to get to know her. She's been incredibly kind and generous with her equipment, underwater photos, and video. Stacy has taught us all a lot about how to study the benthic community scientifically. Stacy's photos and video will be going directly to students who will help us to analyze the footage the same way that Stacy does. I can't wait to continue our work together.

Seriously, there were too many photos. This is just a few.

first picture of Stacy — The first picture of Dr. Stacy Kim. I should have known from this moment, that we were in for a crazy adventure.

Stacy surface supply — Stacy keeping things organized

Stacy teaching — Stacy taught us a lot about studying the benthic animals of McMurdo Sound.

Stacy lounging — Well, it wasn't all work, all the time.

We tried for a serious expression. It lasted 3 seconds, before we erupted in laughter.

Another Loss

With Stacy's departure we also need to say goodbye to another important group member: our Pisten Bully! I seriously think I saw Stephanie shed a tear as we turned the keys back into Tony at the Mechanical Equipment Center. Our Pisten Bully was very good to us, despite our abuse. If I ever have the chance to buy a Pisten Bully for my full time car, I might....

Upcoming Departures

Next up to leave is Mike (October 21st), followed by Stephanie (October 31st). Annamarie will be the last member of the team to depart the ice (mid-December).