Antarctica By the Numbers

Last night the station band gave us quite the send-off.  We had 2+ hours of rock 'n roll and many smiles into the wee hours of the morning.  Today the line-handlers will untie us and off we'll go, waving goodbye to Palmer station and heading for the open ocean.  It's been snowing all morning and everyone is in good spirits.  Stay tuned for final thoughts after the trip north, but first, Antarctica by the numbers......

  

Scint vials processed: 1500

Photographs taken: 900

Fantastic meals: ~100

Beatles songs in the Rad Lab: at least 40

Peaceful nights sleep:30

Days on the ice: 27

Bowls of homemade granola consumed: 15?

Mornings out with Bruiser: 12

Hours spent in the cold room: at least 9

Marine mammal species sighted: 8

Birthdays celebrated: 7

Cruise ships boarded: 6

House mouses and GASHs: 5

Evenings in the hot tub: 4

Climbs up the glacier: 3

Named icebergs: 2

Fantastic research buddy: 1

Polar Plunges: 1

Beautiful sights: Infinite

Great conversations and smiles: Countless

What a fantastic adventure.