The ship that brought me here in April finally left last weekend. They returned to Palmer station after their last science cruise on Friday morning and after two rather lengthy evenings of festivities it was time for them all to take the big trip back north. Sunday morning those of us that were staying gathered on the pier to wave them all goodbye. A friendly seal decided to come out and join us also.
At Palmer it's customary to jump off the pier whenever the boat leaves us behind. Many people here had done it before, but it doesn't get old - or any easier! About ten of us jumped and quickly fled to the hot tub to warm our freezing bodies. Do I need to say it was cold?
It was sad to see many of them go. I was the last winter-over to come down here and the only one who came with the science groups. All of the people that I met on my first day were on this ship and were all almost finished with their Antarctic experience.
Me and the others still have a long way to go. It's interesting to meet so many people in such a short time and then as quickly as you met them seeing them all leave. In a way though it's good to be down to just those of us that will be here for a while. We can all finally settle in and get ready for a long quiet winter.
Goodbye LMG. Nice to know all of you!
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