Maritime Delights (aka Seals and Ships)
Hi All!
We’ve been really busy down here AGAIN! Imagine, they’re making us work! What’s up with that? I’ve still had some time to have some fun, though.
Now that the icebreaker has opened the channel, we’ve gotten to see a few more creatures near the base. I’m stuck inside a lot so I haven’t yet seen any whales (though I do go out to look when I can), but I did get to see some seals when I was out on a walk.
I think this little dude is a Weddell Seal. He’s a young one - VERY CUTE! There was also a mom with some other babies nearby.
Also, the research vessel Nathaniel B Palmer was in town, changing out crews. Some of you may know that I did the travel stuff for the Palmer and Vessel folks when I worked in Denver, so it was fun to finally get to see one of the ships.
Here’s the NBP from the ice pier.
We also had the fuel tanker come and give us a fill-up. They got stuck in some weather and bad ice conditions and had to have the Oden come get them, but they finally made it here. We’re now waiting on the cargo vessel to come and bring us more stuff, and take away all our trash.
Here’s the Tanker Gianella with the NBP parked alongside. Notice the large “No Smoking” sign on the tanker. Probably a good idea.
Wow, ice channel!
Suppose it’s a good idea to bring the cigarettes on a different boat from the fuel supplies, isn’t it?
Or is that the booze boat?
— Dave
No smoking, but can they roast marshmallows? Long nights on the ocean would make me want to roast marshmallows for some reason!
Cool pics, cute seal! It’s amazing to see the bay now with liquid water when most of the other pics show it with solid ice. Took the Versa out for another “walk”, seems to be running fine and doing good.
Ciao! Lisa
Hi everybody!
Yep, the smokes actually come in on the airplane for the most part. They’re still really stale. The only things I’ve got coming on the ship are all the hard liquor and maybe a little wine. So my vessel time should be pretty chill.
Don’t think they can burn much of anything on the tanker - then again, with all that fuel smell around I’d imagine people lose their appetites. On the Oden, that’d be another story. That icebreaker is so posh I bet they have a whole room dedicated to s’mores.
It was so cute to see the seal. The Weddell seals have really sweet faces, but the adults really do look kinda like slugs when they’re relaxing on the ice. We’ve had a ton out on the path that the icebreaker has broken up. People have seen orcas and minke whales in the channel - I guess they like to follow the ships because they churn up some of the sea critters in their wake.
Thanks so much for taking out the little Versa again and for taking such good care of him! I can’t imagine driving! I haven’t driven since I got down here, and have only ridden in vehicles a handful of times. Isn’t that crazy?? I might have to drive some in NZ, which might be interesting….
We just added a kiwi to our online Call of Duty 4 clan this weekend. The guy cracks us up! Asked him how the ‘roos tasted and he said stringy…
Driving after such a long period of time away from it is fun. I had that experience returning from Bosnia where I had only driven a handful of times in the year I was there.
The ping from EnZed has to be awful! Or is your kiwi local?
Honestly, you get back into the driving swing pretty quick (I went 7 months without at one point in Germany). It actually made it easier to cope with the cross-country drive when I moved back - it felt ‘new’ again, so a little more scenic and exciting. (Wasn’t the same without the Stephen King read-along, or speedometer breakdowns, or the mystery spiral through the Indiana cornfields, but hey …)
— Dave
Hi Laura,
I’m at Charlie B’s in Cheech. Today I began my airplane boondoggle! I love your posts - you’re entries are concise but have such depth. You tap into the essence of the Antarctic experience - and bring it to life! I get excited reading all about it - and I was just there this morning! HAH!
keep adding to them - I had a great season - thanks for being such a great part of the Team!
- kishout
Did you like my use of You’re - I guess I’m tired…hell that plane took almost two hours to leave Pegasus…uh oh….times runningout…40 seconds left…
Have a great week - I’ll be back Sunday…
Hi again Laura,
So it’s just you and Jean left in the office, it must be getting lonely. I’m leaving LA tonight and will be back to the ICE on Sunday’s flight. my little boondoggle has been fun. It’s a long way back. I hope you get to enjoy the end of season - climb Ob hill one last time. : )
I’m gonna try and return to Rec - I hope you do too, and I hope we make it!
Enjoy your New Zealand adventures and I’ll see you in a few daze! ah the good ol daze!
kishout
Hey Kish!
Yep, we’re basically here by our lonesomes. Bryan is still here too, but we’re all toasty.
Hope I do come back - we’ll rock Rec!
And yes, we’re totally down to the last daze - I’m wandering around in one for sure.
Laura
I think we need a final Laura Off Ice report prior to your departure.
I’ve got a friend in New Zealand now from my online gaming community. He’s a kick in the pants! If you need a tour guide he flys the airbuses (puddle hoppers)…
You just say the word…
Nice reporting Laura. What is going on down there is nothing like I experienced, at age 16, in Greenland in 1940. We were active at sea all summer on a 100 foot-long schooner. Due to warm weather the Morrissey got to 80 degrees 21 minutes North in the Kennedy Channel north of Thule. A record for a ship of that size.
Your photographs tell a great deal about your existence, friends and opportunities. A wonderful experience.