As I look back on the past year since I returned from my PolarTREC expedition, I am amazed at the turns my life has taken and at where I am now, both literally and figuratively... What do I mean?…
As word of the tragic earthquake which devastated Christchurch, New Zealand on February 22 reached me, my thoughts returned to that lovely town and the friendly people I met there during my short…
After checking in our bags at the transit center, we had about 12 hours to spend at McMurdo Station before our scheduled meeting time at
1:30 am. We were assigned shared rooms in the station…
The Oden finally reached, the pier at McMurdo Station the afternoon of January 16, carefully breaking
the ice up to the pier. Here the ice was different than the ice we had seen. It was thin and very…
As a part of my PolarTREC educational outreach, I invited classrooms and community groups to decorate a flag that I would bring with me on my expedition. Now, with my time on the Oden ending, I asked…
Everyone told me that "flexibility" and "rescheduled" are two key words to travel in Antarctica, but I never realized how true this would be! People who know me will all agree that I am ultra-…
As the Oden continues breaking the shipping channel into McMurdo Station, the main U.S. Antarctic base, we have been enjoying the amazing view off the port (left) side of the ship - Mt. Erebus.Mt.…
Throughout this expedition, the Oden has encountered ice that she needed to break through, and watching this process has been fascinating. The Oden is unique among icebreakers because she does not "…
Today we had another ice station on the "fast ice", and it took place at a very special location – The Bay Of Whales. The Bay of Whales holds an important place in Antarctica's history. In October of…
As the Oden traveled westward, we knew our our days on the ice were dwindling. We had many miles to cover to reach the ice edge of McMurdo Sound and the Oden was contracted to complete the channel…
So far on this cruise, the Oden crew has watched me fly the 61 decorated flags I brought with me with a combination of bewilderment and amusement. Watching the silly American teacher trying to hang…
Tuesday, January 4 - More Science on the Oden
The Oden is currently carrying 30 scientists working on 8 different Antarctic research projects. I've already shared about my sea ice team and our…
