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Day 7 – Cuverville Island, The Gerlache Strait and Dunco Island

12/14/2014

25 Comments

 
We woke up today with very tranquil conditions.  The wind was still, waters were calm, and the temperature mildly cold.  When the ships engines are turned off you can hear the stillness of the environment.  Perhaps a gull calls in the distance or you hear a deep booming sound when a huge piece of snow and ice calf from the shoreline.   

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The first part of our morning brought us to Culverville Island.  We boarded our zodiac and made way to a beautiful landing base with round stones and stairs carved into the snow so we could climb and explore!  There were three choices – all had Gentoo Penguin colonies!  Mr. Sanders and I decided to head our way to the “big” trek up the side of a mountain that provided spectacular views.  Believe it or not, there was a Gentoo Penguin colony at the top of the climb!  The incline was very steep and far enough to be nervous – about 1,000 feet.  I was very relieved when we got to the top.  However, my relaxed state only was temporary!  How was I going to get back down?  Mr. Sanders handed me a piece of glacial ice to try – quite tasty! I highly recommend it.  After taking many pictures, we then had to start to descend to the bottom again.  What was Mr. S. going to do?  I sat right on my rear end and slid about 150 feet to the base!  What fun!  

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From there we returned to the ship and were immediately corralled into another line to go kayaking with the glaciers! This was a spectacular treat!  The water was still and looked like black glass.  I have to be honest when I saw that it was a little scary floating on the water, alone, with only our hands to propel us.  Soon, we got the knack of it and were moving at a pretty brisk pace.  From this perspective, we could see the changes in the ice sculptures floating around us.  If you looked closely, you might spot a blue rabbit or a grey turkey with brown stripes floating by!  Often we found our selves just sitting and taking in the crisp air and appreciating the stillness of it all.  Then suddenly we would hear a giant, roaring BOOOOOOMMMMM!  In the distance a side of a glacier would be sliding off into the water!!!  It was so exciting to see the landscape literally transform before out eyes!  And yes, I was blessed to see a seal playing "hide and go seek" with us today! 

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That was just the morning!  In the afternoon, we were given two choices.  The first was a pretty high and steep climb.  If you fell, you slid right into the ocean!  The second was a zodiac tour.  Zodiac boats are open-air motorboats that we use every day.  I felt like a nice zodiac tour capturing photographs might be better for Mr. S. in the afternoon.  They told us we couldn’t slide down – that just doesn’t sound like fun!  The boat ride was full of colors – brown cinnamons, tangerine oranges, radiant topaz blues and Celtic greens were popping out of every corner.  A turn in the zodiac could take a light, pale blue and make it looks like it was electric and plugged into an outlet.  Surrounding all of this is ocean – shimmering like billion diamonds in the water.  The photos in today’s post do not have much of me in it!  Look for the color and enjoy!

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We were met with a bit of a surprise at the evening “recap.” This is the time where many of the naturalists talk about the things we did and the nature we bore witness.  The big news was that there would be an “after dinner” landing!  Nobody was expecting this.  The experience was described as roughly a “mile and a half hike” that was much easier than the earlier hike where people were walking up the side of a mountain in “switchback” formation.  I was game for it feeling guilty for taking the easier path with the zodiac ride.  Was I in for a shock!  This was no “hike.”  We were walking a super steep side of a mountain where the end never seemed to stop!  Many of the steps resulted with your feet sinking deep to your knee! While the road was difficult and yes, sometimes scary, it was breathtaking at the top.  Was it because of the beauty or because Mr. S. needs to work out more?  I will let you decide.  I made it though!  Hooray!  

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25 Comments
Dr Rob
12/15/2014 12:14:25 am

This is absolutely fantastic!! What an adventure. I plan to make this a morning coffee routine! Stay safe Mr S!!

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 12:32:44 am

Thank you so much! I want to let you (and everybody) know that my friends from National Geographic and Lindblad make every plan needed to keep us safe! Mr. S.

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Angela Crawford
12/15/2014 01:05:48 am

Tom! I love reading your descriptions of the colors! From an English teacher's perspective, you are kickin' it with the imagery and precise diction! I would never have expected to see such a palette of colors. On another note, you are truly on an expedition! Glad you have been in training (and glad you didn't slide into the ocean!).

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 06:17:13 am

Ah.. shucks Ms. Crawford! Chalk it up to my mom! You know - the English Professor. Let's be real. I am writing on the fly! Very little editing. I am sure I will cringe when I reread what I have written. Good thing I can edit! :) Miss you! Mr. S.

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Nichole Von Haden
12/15/2014 01:23:39 am

Wow, Tom! I am so excited for you and Tyler (Hi, Tyler!)! This is AMAZING! Thank you for posting such beautiful pictures with interesting commentary...I can imagine being there with you all! Safe travels and I hope to reconnect with you in the near future...In three short days, we shall--virtually--cross paths somewhere over the continent of South America! :)

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 06:20:07 am

Come on! You will love the experience. Take the sea sickness medication before you leave dock! Oh, and it is two tables per 24 hours! Can't wait for you! Mr. S.

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Liga
12/15/2014 01:25:43 am

Hi Mr. Szymanski! I am home today because I am sick and have a fever. I miss you! That must have been fun when the seal played hide and go seek with you!
Love, Līga

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 06:22:05 am

I hope you feel better Liga! I miss you! oxoxox Mr. S.

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Amy Berquist link
12/15/2014 04:17:50 am

Hi Tom, I just read every last post and comment in this blog so far, and am awed and inspired by your efforts to post, and all the students who are following your adventures. What a great reminder of why I love this program, and how much it means to be able to make experiences like this possible for amazing teachers like you!!! Thank you for bringing the journey to my screen. :)

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 10:08:45 am

Dear Amy,
Thank you so much for posting and reading my adventures. It is your voice that will always be in my mind telling me I was about to bring the world to my students' lives! Please share with anybody you would like! I wish you were here! Mr. S.

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Josiah
12/15/2014 09:48:57 am

Mr. S,

My mom and I are enjoying your blog. I like that the water looked like a million diamonds. That sounds so beautiful.
I miss you!! And I hope you have a good time.
Love,
Josiah

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 10:06:18 am

Josiah,
It makes me so happy that your beautiful face and kind heart are reading my adventures. I miss you tremendously. Your smile warms my heart in this cold world! OXOX Mr. S.

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Gregory
12/15/2014 09:51:26 am

Hi,Mr. Szymanski, I see That you are with a lot of people! I hope you make Friends with them! It is very steep like 1,000 feet for me too! I like your pictures of the Mountains and ICEBERGS! Stay safe!

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 10:07:07 am

I am being safe Gregory. National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions are making sure of that. Wait until you read my next blog! OMG!!!! Mr. S.

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Kristy Kuntz
12/15/2014 10:23:12 am

Josh wants to know how far are you to the North Pole? Maybe you could be on the look out for Santa? Any polar bears out there? Watch out if they are out there! How many types of penguins have you seen?

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 11:10:03 am

Hi Josh and Kristy!
I think Josh clearly knows I am towards the SOUTH pole and not the NORTH pole! I have seen 3 types of penguins. Gentoo, Adelie and Chinstrap. I love them all. Though, the Chinstraps are my favorite! There are not polar bears down here! We have to worry about seals and falling into the ocean!

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Nicky
12/15/2014 11:19:09 am

Hi Mr. S.,
I think the Zodiac ride sounds cool! I think your 150 feet slide down the hill sounds like a lot of fun. I miss you in class, and I hope you are having fun.

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 01:21:06 pm

I am having the time of my life Nicky! So much fun. IT never ever stops!!! MR S.

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Chaitan Murthy
12/15/2014 11:44:34 am

Mr. S! The picture of the seal on your blog is so cute! Please be safe.

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Mr. S.
12/15/2014 01:21:40 pm

I love that seal - so cute!

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Cosmo
12/16/2014 07:44:11 am

I saw you sledding down a very steep hill. Was it very fun or pretty scary?

Cosmo

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Mr. S.
12/17/2014 04:14:42 am

We all agreed that young and old we all LOVED sledding down. We felt like we were children! So much fun! We should sled more in our lives!

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Olivia
12/16/2014 11:46:58 am

Mr S the switchback hike where the snow came up to your knees sounds hard - good job! Sounds more fun to slide down the hill on your bottom to me! I miss you and guess what my front tooth is very loose!

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Mr. S.
12/17/2014 04:16:09 am

Livy,
For sure the hikes have been hard! But, every one of them is worth it. I have done things I have never thought I would or could ever do! Take care of the tooth! I hope you get a good visit from the tooth fairy! I miss you to pieces my dear! Mr. S.

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ZABBY
12/16/2015 05:58:46 pm

I LOVE IT

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    Mr. Szymanski is a 7th Grade Math, Reading and Writing Teacher at Gary Elementary school in Chicago, IL He is bringing the world to his classroom with the help of National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Here, he chronicles his adventures to Antarctica and South America in December 2014. 

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  • Home
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  • Chapter 1 The Number System
  • 8th Chapter 1: The Number System
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