Peace on Earth


View from Arrival Heights above McMurdo to Black Island and Mt. Discovery


Conditions:  Temperature ~ 40° and sunny.  Population 816
Christmas was truly lovely.

Xmas Eve
3:00 to 4:30:  Beautiful hike to Arrival Heights.  Temperature made it up to around 40° and winds were minimal.  Great views of Erebus, Cape Evans, and McMurdo.


Above, looking down over Hut Point.
Dean at Arrival Heights where explorers used watch for ships.  Erebus in background puffing away.

5:00 to 6:30 PM:  Dinner with the Medical Crew wonderfully prepared by the galley with lobster, crab, prime rib, croquembouche, lots of veggie offerings including fresh salad, Xmas cookies, chocolate, wine, etc.

Croquembouche.  It reminded me of Lauren who has made these a few times.


6:45 PM:  Hanukkah candle lighting.  Three people--two Jews and one by marriage who wanted pics to send to his wife.

11:00 PM to 4:00 AM  Insomnia.  Virome work in the lab.  It was nice to be back doing something academic and using my hands.  And it was great to have a little bit of time alone.  Alone time here is rare.

Xmas Day
4:00 AM to 11:00 AM:  Blissfully deep sleep.

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM:   Brunch with friends. Brunches here are always great.

1:15  PM to 2:00 PM: Spectators at softball tournament out on the wharf.  Loads of fun with small grandstand, scoreboard and dugouts built overnight by the carpenters,  hilarious play-by-play announcing, mascots and even grilled hot dogs. The tournament went on for six hours but we were there just for a short while.  Medical didn't compete; we brought along the advil.  The "stand alones" team won (not affiliated with any specific department) with the carpenters in second.

Softball field pano.  Field is on the wharf being built to welcome January ships.  Raucous fans are in the stands at left.  Dugouts are to left and right of home plate.  

Dean with Beaver mascot


2:00 PM to 3:00 PM:  Short hike to see skua babies, interrupted by arrival of penguins.  A great treat.
McMurdo in background, sea ice breaking up on right, softball field on wharf in foreground.  


4:00 PM to 5:00 PM:  Tours of Discovery Hut (I'm a docent).

6:45 PM:  Hanukkah candle lighting (two Jews).

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM:  Volunteer in library.  Helped a few people but spent most of my time knitting mittens using the pattern Lauren sent me.  Loving it.    Dean sat and read about Eisenhower.

No commercialism, no gifts, no stress.  Peace and fellowship abounded.  A perfect day.


Six humans staring at 6 penguins.  Or vice versa.






Comments

Christina said…
Merry Christmas Dean and Julie!! Greetings from Sun Valley, Idaho.
December 26, 2019 at 9:01 AM
Lori Nelson said…
I remember when Lauren made Croquembouches! She is so talented.
December 28, 2019 at 2:17 PM
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