Beagle Channel, South America
It seems hard to believe that only 18 days ago many of us boarded the Endeavour as relative Antarctic neophytes. Now, we are all endowed with more knowledge than most of us will be able to retain, but nonetheless we have all been enriched by the experience, and can count ourselves among those fortunate enough to have seen our planet’s last truly wild continent.
We traveled from South America, half-way across the Atlantic, to the paradise lost of South Georgia. From there, we pushed south, as deep into the Weddell Sea as our sturdy vessel would allow before turning north and west for the Antarctic Peninsula. The seas along the way have been about average, perhaps even slightly better than average given these treacherous waters’ notorious history. We have had our ups and downs, which we’ve come to know as “pitching,” but we’ve experienced a fair amount of “rolling” as well; those wondrous moments when you can sample the appetizers from the table across the dining room without ever needing to leave your seat. Who knew that even our meals would be an “expedition?” And now, we are sailing along the protected waters of the Beagle Channel, back to South America, having emerged unscathed from the dreaded Drake Passage.
Geographically-speaking, the trip has come almost full circle, but along the way we’ve expanded our horizons in more ways than we could have possibly imagined. Photographers came seeking a new medium and found themselves immersed in images that were, at times, beyond scope and wide angle. Wildlife enthusiasts sought out the Antarctic for its advertised bounty, and were surprised to see that in this place, reality exceeds reputation. And finally, those of us with a mind for history and an ear for a good tale can recall with delight the epic accounts of yesteryear’s great explorers, for we have been treated to the passion of a great storyteller who reminded us that a great story needs only to be heard.
Tonight we will pack our things and say our good-byes, but I’m guessing that sometime in the coming weeks and months, all of us will look back upon the journey we’ve made, and perhaps, at that moment, our mind’s eye will then look forward, to our next endeavor down roads, or seas, less traveled.
It seems hard to believe that only 18 days ago many of us boarded the Endeavour as relative Antarctic neophytes. Now, we are all endowed with more knowledge than most of us will be able to retain, but nonetheless we have all been enriched by the experience, and can count ourselves among those fortunate enough to have seen our planet’s last truly wild continent.
We traveled from South America, half-way across the Atlantic, to the paradise lost of South Georgia. From there, we pushed south, as deep into the Weddell Sea as our sturdy vessel would allow before turning north and west for the Antarctic Peninsula. The seas along the way have been about average, perhaps even slightly better than average given these treacherous waters’ notorious history. We have had our ups and downs, which we’ve come to know as “pitching,” but we’ve experienced a fair amount of “rolling” as well; those wondrous moments when you can sample the appetizers from the table across the dining room without ever needing to leave your seat. Who knew that even our meals would be an “expedition?” And now, we are sailing along the protected waters of the Beagle Channel, back to South America, having emerged unscathed from the dreaded Drake Passage.
Geographically-speaking, the trip has come almost full circle, but along the way we’ve expanded our horizons in more ways than we could have possibly imagined. Photographers came seeking a new medium and found themselves immersed in images that were, at times, beyond scope and wide angle. Wildlife enthusiasts sought out the Antarctic for its advertised bounty, and were surprised to see that in this place, reality exceeds reputation. And finally, those of us with a mind for history and an ear for a good tale can recall with delight the epic accounts of yesteryear’s great explorers, for we have been treated to the passion of a great storyteller who reminded us that a great story needs only to be heard.
Tonight we will pack our things and say our good-byes, but I’m guessing that sometime in the coming weeks and months, all of us will look back upon the journey we’ve made, and perhaps, at that moment, our mind’s eye will then look forward, to our next endeavor down roads, or seas, less traveled.
