“…Pray for Shackleton.”
When I went to bed it was still foggy, the forecast predicted more of the same. When I walked out onto my icy balcony at 7:30 it was snowing and the fog was still there, although less dense than the … Continue reading “…Pray for Shackleton.”
Day 3, A Different Day
After the experience of day 2 in Antarctica I set the alarm for 6:45. The weather forecast was for more of the same. When I got up, we were in a dense fog. Not only could I not see the … Continue reading Day 3, A Different Day
If I Had More Time I Would Have Written A Shorter Letter.
As I edit pictures I have to make decisions. On the first round I delete obviously bad pictures. On the second round I pick the best from among near duplicates. Often I bracket shots at different exposures or with slightly … Continue reading If I Had More Time I Would Have Written A Shorter Letter.
The Type of Day You Live For
Day two in Antarctica is the type of day you cruise for, live for. I’ve already written about the critters, but the amazing part of it was the clouds that lifted showing the mountain peaks and providing a textured sky … Continue reading The Type of Day You Live For
Antarctica Day 2, Critters.
Based on the sunset the day ahead looked promising. I set the alarm for 6:45. At 7 AM, as we were getting ready, the Captain came on the horn telling us that there was a pod of Orc (killer whales) … Continue reading Antarctica Day 2, Critters.
Antarctica, Day One.
We set the alarm for 6:45 to make sure we didn’t miss anything. It was an overcast day with lifting fog. On day one we couldn’t see the mountaintops until just before sunset. We started the day sailing by Palmer … Continue reading Antarctica, Day One.
Recapture (Thoughts on travel to the Antarctic.)
There may be no time in life more exciting than beginning college. We encounter new ideas, new friends, new challenges – ADVENTURE! Perhaps we are on our own for the first time. We work harder and play harder than ever … Continue reading Recapture (Thoughts on travel to the Antarctic.)
Black and White Antarctic
This week in Antarctica we encountered weather ranging from moody mist, to brilliant high contrast sunshine to down to the deck fog. Temperatures ranged from the mid-20s to the mid-30s and photographic conditions varied widely. I posted a lot of … Continue reading Black and White Antarctic
Fin del Mundo
“The End of the World.” That’s the way Ushuaia brands itself. Also as the Capital of the Malvinas (Falkland Islands.) It is a beautiful city on Tierra Del Fuego Island but no matter where you look, except straight behind the … Continue reading Fin del Mundo
Glacier Alley
I think the reason I picked this stateroom on the port side of Volendam was because I remembered being on the port side of Prinsendam 10 years ago, waking up in these waters, opening the window drapes and saying “Oh … Continue reading Glacier Alley
The Last Days of Freedom…
…before school starts. Daniel, our cruise director, proudly announced that of the three cruise ships into Punta Arenas, ours was the only one docking the others were tendering in. As it turned out they got to wait in their warm … Continue reading The Last Days of Freedom…
Fjords and Glaciers
It reminded me of my first trip on the Alaska Marine Highway’s MV Matanuska in 1973. They had not yet added stretched her and added the solarium. We were sitting in the forward observation lounge looking at fantastic scenery that … Continue reading Fjords and Glaciers
“Friends Don’t Let Friends…
…Eat Farmed Salmon” is a popular bumper sticker in coastal Alaska. Another one reads “Real Fish Don’t Eat Pellets.” Opposition to fish farming is almost a part of an Alaskan’s creed. Back in the late ‘60s the Norwegian Grønvets brothers … Continue reading “Friends Don’t Let Friends…
I Climb the Empire State Building
On Sunday we called at Puerto Chacabuco. Again, the Cruise Director and Loney Planed agree, nothing here, get out of town. We chose to take a bus excursion into the Andes and the regional capital of Coyhaique. Normally the border … Continue reading I Climb the Empire State Building
Shingles and Stilts, A Chiloe Sidebar.
One of the features of Chiloe district homes is the shingles used for siding. Even though many of the walls are now sided with corrugated steel usually one face, or part of a house face, is sided with shingles. The … Continue reading Shingles and Stilts, A Chiloe Sidebar.
Chiloé’s Wooden Churches
I have been taken with rural wooden churches since I was a freshman at St. Olaf College. Before I realized that God really didn’t care if I continued to go to the Episcopal Church or if I went to Boe … Continue reading Chiloé’s Wooden Churches
Spinning Wheels
Both Lonely Planet and our Cruise Director agree that the best thing to do in Puerto Montt is to get out of town and head toward Chile’s Lake District, visit the national Parks, see the volcanos and smell the roses … Continue reading Spinning Wheels
Repeat Sea Day
We had our Tuesday on Thursday. Tuesday’s sea day was supposed to bring both an all hands drill followed by the “Glampout” (Think glamorous campout). But the seas were rough, and the captain put it off until Thursday. When Thursday … Continue reading Repeat Sea Day
Robinson Crusoe Redux
For a full sea day before landing on Robinson Crusoe Island both the Cruise Director and Captain had been warning us about the tender operation. It would be bouncy, it would be slippery, if you have any doubts stay on … Continue reading Robinson Crusoe Redux
Thank You St. Anthony
On day 25 of the cruise, we are finally organized, or as organized as we ever get. Our walkabout little red bag made it to us the evening of day 24 in the port of San Antonio, Chile, a port … Continue reading Thank You St. Anthony
Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
Five years ago when we called at San Antonio we took the tour to Santiago, Chile’s Capital. The tour was not exactly what we needed, and I didn’t want to repeat it. (You can read my old blog post about … Continue reading Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
Wine!
The Casablanca Valley sits between the Coastal cities of Valparaiso and San Antonio and the inland capital of Santiago. It is one of Chile’s wine producing areas. The valley has a wet winter and a warm, dry summer. In the … Continue reading Wine!
Carnival and Fish Politics.
I don’t know why we dock at San Antonio rather than Valparaiso. Both are ports for Santiago. Valpo is a far more interesting place. It probably has something to do with money. (Someone asked the captain that in his Q&A … Continue reading Carnival and Fish Politics.
An Accidental Sea Day
Today we were supposed to be in Antofagasta, Chile. I was looking forward to traveling from there to the Baquedano railway junction in the dry Atacama Desert. There old engines and rolling stock are preserved in the dry desert heat. … Continue reading An Accidental Sea Day