Saying Goodbye to Antarctica

2/2/2012

Until We Meet Again, Antarctica!

My final hike up the backyard glacier

I've reached the hardest part of my journey...saying goodbye to Antarctica. This has truly been a trip of a lifetime. My experiences here have helped me to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. Antarctica is considered the last frontier, and I feel truly humbled that I have been one of its explorers.

My Final Hike in the Backyard

A Goodbye Waltz

Since I love to dance, I thought a goodbye waltz on the pier was fitting for the moment. Being at the underbelly of the world, I guess we are technically dancing upside down! We danced to the sounds of Antarctica...

Stay Tuned...

We will return the same way we came on the Lawrence M. Gould icebreaker ship (LMG). We are moved onto the ship, and we will leave when the weather conditions are good. Though I am leaving Antarctica, there will be plenty more posts added to the blog when I return home. Bon Voyage!

10 Comments

Bonnie Soos

2/2/2012 10:27:33 am

What a wonderful send off! I loved the waltz...how appropriate. Your dance studio will be very impressed! ....Just remember..you may be leaving Antarctica behind but the memories will last a lifetime. I am so proud of you....I wish you safe travels on your way back home to the US. Love you tons

Bonnie :)

Jessica Rosenberg

2/2/2012 10:53:40 am

One thing I learned was that fifty million years ago Antarctica had a temperate climate, evergreen forests and many more kinds of animals than it has today. I wonder what other animals lived there back then?

Ann Patella

2/2/2012 11:01:50 pm

Thanks for the wonderful blog. I have so much enjoyed reading it--experiencing it. Your pictures and videos, the gigapan exercises, the interviews with other scientists who shared their research and technology--all have been just wonderful. I felt a little sad watching you waltz on the pier with "Bruiser" (sp?) floating nearby. But we promise to give you a warm welcome when you return, and we can hardly wait to hear/read more of your stories....

Gwen Mason

2/3/2012 02:18:24 am

Have a safe trip home, what a great opportunity for us to experience Antartica too through your blog! Our family has enjoyed it, thanks for all the great pictures!

The Gilles Gang

2/3/2012 09:27:56 am

We loved living vicariously through your Antarctic adventures! Looking forward to seeing you in person again. BTW, it was a beautiful waltz. Almost made me tear up! :) See you soon!

Uncle Dave and aunt Eleanor

2/5/2012 07:48:20 am

Happy belated birthday! We've been trying to send you a note but we are becoming demented in our thoughts and can't figure out this whole blog thing. We saw some of your beautiful pictures, it looks like you had a wonderful time! Can't wait to talk to you about the whole experience, have a safe trip home!

Love,
Uncle Dave and aunt Eleanor

Amanda

2/5/2012 07:58:37 am

Happy belated birthday cuz! What an amazing way to spend your 30th birthday! I am so proud of you and your incredible adventures! Have a safe trip home, maybe we can get together for dinner once you get back to north America!

Amanda

Bryan Summer

2/7/2012 09:46:09 am

Natalie,
You have had an amazing adventure. Safe travels on your way home. Our class really enjoyed the Gigapans. They look great through the new lazer projector we have in our classroom. My students really enjoyed seeing the penguins and seals. Awesome job on your posts. Look forward to reading your final entries.
Bon Voyage.
Bryan

Kirstin Williams

2/12/2012 03:01:42 am

Miss Harr,
Your trip to Antarctica has really inspired me to think about going one day it sounds real fun. One thing I leaened from your blog is that Belgica Antarctica is the largest animal that remains on land in Antarctica throughout the year. WOW!!!!!
Kirstin

Adam Molinari

2/13/2012 11:47:55 am

Miss Harr,
Your trip sounds so interesting. I learned a lot about Antarctica, and I was surprised to learn that an insect, Belgica Antarctica, is the largest land animal in Antarctica. I enjoyed seeing all of your photos and reading about your adventures. I can't imagine how you stayed warm in such a cold climate. I would like to visit Antarctica one day to do research. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.

Adam

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