The Antarctica Files: Back!

Posted by ERV on January 2, 2011
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Hi guys!

I am officially back from Antarctica.

I do not want to be.

I didnt want to leave.

Normally I am very much an ‘Oklahoma’ girl– mountains are pretty, but they make me claustrophobic. Oceans do too. I like plains. Horizon going to forever in every direction.

But I never got sick of the mountains in Antarctica. And I miss the ocean. I miss being on the water.

I cried on the way home.

Not hard, but every time a plane took off and I was a little further away, I would tear up.

But it was like visiting Narnia. You cant stay. You can probably never go back. And it wouldnt be the same if you could.

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Comments

  1. #1 Optimus Primate
    January 2, 2011

    *HUG*

  2. #2 Kulvinder Matharu
    January 2, 2011

    First time poster, long time lurker!

    I was devestated to leave too. Just sightseeing though. I made a bunch of friends and we still keep in contact and have the occassional get-together.

    We had some researchers on our boat checking for fauna and flora migrations and contamination and they were a fun bunch. So a great trip all round.

    You probably didn’t get a chance to see any penguins, so here are a couple of chinstraps:

    http://www.metalvortex.com/images/Antarctica/slides/IMG_0417a.html

    Enjoy!

  3. #3 Joshua Zelinsky
    January 2, 2011

    Welcome back. Glad to hear that the trip went well.

  4. #4 MadScientist
    January 2, 2011

    I hope you had a grand time out there – looking forward to your stories. And yes, you *can* go back (though it’s not easy). I wonder if volunteers are accepted on the winterings – then you can see the stars too if you haven’t got a howling wind and you’re set up to tolerate the cold for a half hour or so. But you can see those Southern stars without all the cold weather – there are plenty of places in South America, some places in South Africa, and of course New Zealand and Australia too.

  5. #5 vfoxc
    January 2, 2011

    I went in 2006. I still miss seeing all of the albatrosses and porpoising penguins.

  6. #6 Greg Laden
    January 2, 2011

    Just like Narnia but not in the armoire. However you spell that. Anyway, welcome back. Have you seen True Grit yet?

  7. #7 Scott Hatfield, OM
    January 3, 2011

    Having returned from the Galapagos in July of this year, I have an inkling of what you mean. I hardly ever thought about birds at all before my trip. Now that I am back, I still dream about the islands, and I find myself thinking constantly about the birds I see here in Fresno, and trying to shoot video of the critters and learn more about their biology. It’s like I’m trying to keep my travel experience alive here in Central California–hah!

    Anyway, these far-away lands change you. Tolkein understood that aspect of travel in a very deep way.

    I am glad you are back in the States safe and sound, but pleased to know that you had such a profound experience. May your adventures continue. Enjoy your holiday.

  8. #8 Azkyroth
    January 3, 2011

    That was quick. O.o

  9. #9 IanW
    January 3, 2011

    Take a chill pill ERV!

  10. #10 Mu
    January 3, 2011

    Welcome home, was it warmer in Antarctica than it’s in OK now?