Greetings from Palmer Station, Antarctica!

1/4/2012

Greetings from Palmer Station, Antarctica!

After 8 days of travel by air and ship, the research team and I have safely made it to Palmer Station, Antarctica! We traveled by air to the tip of South America and then road on an icebreaker ship for 6 days to the station. Yesterday we were busy moving off the ship and getting settled here.

Meet the Antarctic Welcoming Committee!

As we unloaded the ship yesterday, this curious penguin came ashore and gave us a warm welcome to his Antarctic home!

Photo by Google Images

Backward Glances...

Let me take a moment to recap my traveling adventures... If you recall, each research team member departed for Antarctica on December 26th. The four of us met up in Miami, FL, where we then flew across the ocean to Santiago, Chile, and then to Punta Arenas, Chile. Can you find Punta Arenas on the map below? What continent is it on? Is it north or south of where you live?

photo below provided by http://www.hotelnogueira.com

Punta Arenas is a port city. It is considered the southern-most city in the world. We arrived late in the evening on December 27th. While there, we stayed one night at Hotel Jose Nogueira. This is one of the oldest buildings in the region and declared a national monument.

Photo below: Google Images

Meet Sir Ernest Shackleton
Sir Ernest Shackleton is considered one of the greatest explorers in history. Soon after the South Pole was discovered in 1911, he wanted to be the first to cross the 2,000 mile wide continent. Unfortunately, when he approached the Antarctic in his wooden ship called Endurance, disaster occurred. His ship was destroyed by the icy sea and the entire crew were forced to live on the ice and hostile islands for several months until rescued. Click here to see photographs of his incredible survival story.

The Shackleton Connection

In the end, Shackelton went to the same building that now houses Hotel Jose Nogueira for help. Here, he put together a recovery team in order to save the rest of his crew still stranded in the Antarctic. I had goosbumps as I visited Shackleton's Lounge in the hotel, where I discovered these incredible paintings portraying his incredible leadership throughout his expedition.

24 Comments

Charlotte

1/5/2012 00:37:43

Yahoo! You made it! I will be looking forward to exploring with you and my sixth grade class. Best to you and Rick

xander salisbury/ In 3ed grad link

1/25/2012 02:47:19

Is it easy in antatica? How was your Xmas?

Abbie Thompson

1/25/2012 02:57:56

Hi Miss Harr
How are you? I got a couple of questions to ask you.Can you please answerthem?
What was the funniest part about being there in Antarictica?
What did you learn that was very interesting?
Why do you think Mr Lee asked you and not someone else?

Gwen Mason

1/5/2012 02:25:37

Love all the pictures! Glad to see you arrived safely!
Bianca is in Mrs. Chesla's class and they did a paper where they drew what you might have packed in your suitcase, I'm not sure you could carry what Bianca packed for you! Looking forward to more pictures...

Señora Soos- 9th period- Spanish II

1/5/2012 03:01:52

We hope you are having fun!!We were wondering if you can touch the penguins? Have you seen any leopard seals? We love looking at your pictures!! Keep us updated:)

Beth Marlow

1/5/2012 03:29:09

Hi Miss Harr,
The preschool class just started our discussions on Miss Harr and her adventure to Antartica! Hope all is well and we love all the pictures.
Mrs. Marlow's PM preschool class

Jessica Harr

1/5/2012 10:37:22

Hello Natalie!
I love your web page! I'm so proud of you and your accomplishments! Can't wait to see more postings. Have a wonderful time and stay safe.

Love you,
Jessica

La clase de español- Señora Soos/ 1st period

1/5/2012 21:04:46

Hola Señorita Harr, We are admiring your website....we were wondering if your cold weather gear is keeping you warm? We send you bunches of "holas" from Chico, José and Pepe and the entire class!!!

La clase de español II- Señora Soos- 2nd period

1/5/2012 21:52:54

Hola!!! Your pictures are incredible and your gear is so cute!! Have you seen any baby penguins? Are you enjoying your trip? We are very excited!! Adiós!!

La clase de espanol tres; 3rd period Mrs.Soos

1/5/2012 22:49:24

Hola! We have a few questions for you. Some of us are wondering, how cold does it get in Antarctica in summer? When are you taking the Arctic Plunge? We'd like to hear about that! Also, we would like to see pictures, posts,etc.whenever you find that insect. (: We at Buckeye wish you good luck in your travels! Hasta luego!

Mrs.Soos's 8th period class

1/6/2012 02:30:38

Hola, greetings from Buckeye Local. We hope you are having a wonderful trip! We are wondering if you can bring us a penguin home? Can the chin strap penguin play football? Your pictures are intresting to see. We cant wait to see more pictures. Stay warm! :)

Beth Trivelli

1/9/2012 10:30:32

Natalie,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful adventure with Crestwood Primary. We are having a wonderful time looking at your pictures and comments each day. The students are busy learning penguin facts, walking to antartica, and reading Mr. Popper's Penguins. We also have your pictures displayed in the hallway for everyone to observe. We can't wait to skype with you!
Beth Trivelli

Leslie Zalasar

1/11/2012 03:55:44

I am a teacher in Houston, TX. Your website was sent to us via our science dept. My 5th grade students read a story this fall about Ernest Shackleton and I can't wait to share this with them tomorrow. I'm now hooked and will be waiting to see and hear about your experiences. Good luck to you and your team!

Bethany Hawley

1/25/2012 02:53:29

Dear Miss.Harr,
How are you doing? Are you having fun on your Antarctic adventure? Miss.Harr, i think you are the coolest and the bravest teacher ever to go to Antartica! Well I hope you are having fun in Antartica.
from Bethany Hawley

Maggie Turpel

1/25/2012 03:08:43

Hi ms .Harr
I'm Ali's sister( she in your class) .So any ways I was wundering if your doing okay? About how many penguins did you see?

Megan Hale link

1/25/2012 03:40:05

Hi Miss harr,
Have you seen the vidios of your class or the teachers sing happy B-day to you yet?I think it's cool!!! Ceepin tuch. love,
megan

Henter Tice link

1/25/2012 03:42:48

Hi Miss Harr,
when are you coming home from Antarctica.have you seen the vidios of your class sing happy B day to you. I think that is so cool!!!!!!!!

Annabelle

1/25/2012 03:47:46

Hi Mrs.Harr!!! haws Antartica.Whats your favorite penguin you sall.Did you lern anything.I lake the adelle penguin picher.Tipa back son!

dominic arotin

1/25/2012 03:47:50

Hi Mrs.Harr I want to go to Antarctica I hope you are have fun in antarctica P.S Mrs.Broman always calls you Mrs.Herr.

Alexis Wilson

1/25/2012 03:48:40

Dear Miss Harr!!!!!!!!
I really liked all of the photos you took!The one of the seal was really cute:)I liked all of the videos you took too. Happy Birthday! I hope you have a nice birthday!!!:) In my class we learned alot about Antarctica and all of the cool penguins.We read a book about penguins and we wrote about penguins in a paper penguin. Did you learn anything about the wingless fly yet?Did you have a cake for your birthday or some kind of treat?I LOVE your website and everything on it!Have a GREAT time at the bottom of the earth!

Please reply
Love
Alexis Wilson in third grade, Mrs.Bromans Class

carrie lovejoy

1/25/2012 03:52:48

HI MRS.HARR I love all of the pictures in your blog your little blue penguin WAS SO CUTE! Bie i hope you have fun.

Haley jenkins

1/25/2012 03:59:03

Hi Mrs,Harr i do not now you but just wanted to say hi and some other stuff and i love all of your vidos and pictures they were all so cool and awesome. And i hred you saw some whals,penuins and did you see leopard seals????? Bie nad hope you had fun and awesome time. Bie!!!

Madison Jurisch

1/25/2012 04:01:07

Dear Miss Harr!!!!!!!! Happy birthday Miss Harr.!!!!!!! I hope you had a nice birthday. How are you doing in Antarctica??! Are you warm with all the clothes on. The seal picture you took of the seal was really cute. Have you found the wingless fly yet? We are having a fun time looking at the pictures you took. We read a book about Penguins in Antarctica. We learned a lot about penguins. Have you sall any baby penguins hatch yet????????!! Thank you for puting pictures on. I hope you have a safe trip back!!!!!!! Are the peguins okey???? I would love to see a penguin hacth on a video or somthing.Now rember not to touch the penguins because that would be bad. Love, Madison Jurisch a 3rd grader in Mrs.Bromans class. Please right back soon

collin

1/27/2012 01:21:19

happy b day

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