from one white landscape to another. The numbers: Approximately 9,000 miles on three flights (USH - EZE - DFW - GEG) during a 28 hour long period, not including the final Uber ride. Ugh.
The deeply glaciated terrain of the Beartooth Plateau north of Yellowstone National Park.
features a lovely coastline of folded phyllites and southern beech forest. What a nice change to see green in the landscape after spending so much time in ice and snow.
The southernmost post office on planet Earth is found in the park.
And here’s the postmaster of this outpost, a real character. I’m heading home to the northern winter tomorrow!
with a panoramic view from the summit of Ronald Hill above Whaler’s Bay.
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The British Antarctic Survey station and older Norwegian whaling operation were swept by lahars in 1969 during another eruption in nearby Telefon Bay.
Descent from Ronald Hill where the panorama was taken.
at Neko Harbor on the peninsula. An entirely terrific last day on the icy continent.
The Silver Explorer (center, distance) surrounded by brash ice from nearby calving glaciers in Neko Harbor.
And a highly curious Gentoo Penguin chick investigating our gear on shore.
as we make our way toward Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula.
on the southeastern end of South Georgia.
as seen from above the restored church, on the return walk from Maiviken, a nearby historic sealing station.
Inside the museum, a juvenile Wandering Albatross with a nine foot wingspan!
Industrial remains of the early 20th century whaling station.
Expedition team member Patrick Demus and me at the pass between Grytviken and Maiviken. I’m trying to convince the guests that this German-speaking Austrian fellow is my nephew!
on a gorgeous day where, unfortunately, wind and swell prevented us from landing. A huge disappointment.
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a historic whaling station to which Sir Ernest Shackleton returned after his epic adventure in 1916. It’s from here that the rescue of the men on Elephant Island was launched.
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Beginning the short walk from Stromness to Shackleton’s waterfall, one mile up the valley.
Shackleton’s waterfall, the last obstacle on the crossing of South Georgia.
My reflection in an Antarctic fur seal’s eye.
from the summit of Mount Edda, nearly 1,000 feet above sea level.
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as we enter North Cumberland Bay on South Georgia.
From left to right: John, the 2nd officer is making a notation in the ship’s logbook, Captain Eric Saint Plancat has the conn, and Lawrence, the seaman, has the helm.
and is draped in guano from the South Georgia Shag.
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capital city of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. It feels like a slice of the United Kingdom here, and I have yet to meet anyone who is eager for liberation by the Argentinians (a reference to the 1982 conflict)!
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Antarctic Cormorant
Southern Rockhopper Penguin
Magellenic Oystercatcher
Dolphin Gull
Magellenic Penguin
Black-Browed Albatross
Black-Browed Albatross chick
as we set off again for the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica.
in Neptune’s Bellows, the entrance to the inner caldera at Deception Island.
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I just received this very disappointing information from the curator of the gallery at EWU:
Good afternoon, Dr. Buchanan,
I wanted to share with you that the EWU Downtown Student Gallery will be closing its doors this June 2019, and will not be able to host your exhibition fall quarter of 2019. While I was very excited to host this exhibit, given the university’s current budget situation, it has been decided to close the gallery.
Thank you so much for your support and I wish you well.
Sincerely,
Beth
I bet the athletics program at EWU continues to receive full support!
as the Silver Explorer turns north to return to Ushuaia.
(Click image to enlarge.)