Volume 17 - Day 334/31, 2025 - Sunday

Well, if you substantially discounted the temperature and the wind, it would be considered a beautiful day in central Texas. It was a chilly day, I don't think we made it past the low 50s, and a pretty good wind. We did walk, and it was good, and after I got home and fed the girls, we all (the three of us) went down for naps. I will be bringing plants in, front and back, tomorrow, and I will likely put them all back out Tuesday or Wednesday. I did cave in and got the pizza I have been craving. It took me longer to place the order on-line than it did to go pick it up and bring it home. I confess to being a Luddite when it comes to some things technical, but really, ordering a pizza. I am getting comfortable with the fact that tomorrow is December 1st, but it does not seem like it should be December already. Bring it on...I am looking forward to some planned travel next year, and I will spend the New Year Holiday in Playa. There are all kinds of thing planned for December, so just hide and watch. But...tomorrow, I will be taking the little white car in for MORE service, and then I am planning to get proactive in finding a new doctor. The doctor I have been going to for the past 25 years is retiring in the middle of January, but I expect that he will be winding down some time in December. I need to get ready for that change, and I need to make sure that a new doctor is ready for me. I have questions!

Volume 17 - Day 333/32, 2025 - Saturday

It was warmer this morning than it was yesterday, but I think that will be short lived. The walk was good, me, Richard, James and Paul. Sixty degrees, and later this afternoon, we were in the middle 70s. Tomorrow morning, I expect it will be in the lower 40s, and I doubt we will get out of the 40s all day. It is going to be cooler later in the week, and I am starting to think about which plants I will take in to the garage, and which plants I will cover and place a heat lamp under the cover. The worst of it for the immediate future should be over by Wednesday afternoon. I did not do much of anything after the walk, but I did get motivated about 12:30 and took a shower and got ready to go to see Nuremberg. I think it was a well done movie, thought provoking. The movie has certainly sparked some strong opinions on line, and I think it is good that there are those conversations going on. When I go to Italy in May, my plan will also be to Munich for a day or two (to maybe visit Hanna and Lisa), and the train ride will take me through Nuremberg. It will be interesting to pass through the train station that was depicted in the film. I had intended to stop and get a pizza on the way home, but I decided to put that off until tomorrow. It seems the rain that was predicted is going to bypass us, but fingers are crossed for tomorrow afternoon. I did see some lightning on the drive home, but that was too far off to do us any good.

Volume 17 - Day 332/33, 2025 - Friday

It was a very calm day after Thanksgiving for me and the girls. I did walk this morning, and then got home and did very little of anything. I eventually got a little bit of motivation, and went in to Georgetown to Galaxy Bakery for some scones to hold me over for the weekend. Traffic was not really terrible, maybe even lighter than usual, but there was very little parking available around the Square. The annua tree lighting ceremony is this evening, right about now in fact, so lots of the streets and parking lots were closed off. Idid find a spot about two blocks away from the bakery, and managed to get my scones. I can not confirm nor deny that I was parked in a tow away zone, and honestly, I could not interpret the signs that made it very confusing about whether parking was appropriate or not. I did not get towed, so that is all I really cared about. And why is everything on tv about football. Pick one channel, and let me have the other three hundred channels to try and find something interesting. Lort! The girls did enjoy time out in the backyard today, and I got this photo of some wildlife on the back deck.

Volume 17 - Day 331/34, 2025 - Thursday, Thanksgiving Day

Well, that was fun! James and Paul and Richard and I had a nice walk this morning, it was a little bit chilly, but we did it, and we did solve many of the world's problems. After the walk, I did nothing much, but I did go to HEB to buy some things that I should have bought yesterday; salad, salad dressings, some of this and some of that. I got the Curious House ready for company off-and-on throughout the day, and got in a couple naps, too. I changed the outside lights from everyday to Holiday lights, and apparently I followed the directions properly, and everything worked. Every year, I have to follow the directions, and I am not really keen on following directions. Val and Paulina and Oliver got to the Curious House at about 3 o'clock, and we sat down for dinner around 4. It was a good dinner (I was responsible for heating everything up), and I was happy to share it with them. I have a lot to be thankful for, that's for sure. There is not a lot on my chore list, Paulina and I may go to the tree lighting at the Square, not sure. It will be getting cooler for the next seven to ten days, but no freezes in the forecast. I will be covering plants and putting a heat lamp out there with them pretty soon, but nothing to bring in to the garage as of yet. We shall see. If you want to see a video of my Antarctica trip, let me know and I will email it to you. It is fun, and brings back lots of remembrances of the trip.

Volume 17 - Dy 330/35, 2025 - Wednesday

I did not sleep very well at all last night. I'm not sure why, but I feel like all I did was toss and turn. I made up for it with a few naps today, so that is good. The day started with a nice walk, a bit chillier than yesterday, and that seems to be the trend for the near future. No freezes in any of the forecasts yet, but I think I need to start getting the garage straightened around to make room for some of the plants. It will be sheets and heat lamps for the plants in the back. After the walk, I had some errands to run; a stop at the post office, then on to the first grocery visit to pick up dinner for tomorrow. I took the slow roads everywhere I went today, there was no need to be in a hurry. Later, I went to HEB and did a little more shopping. How do you spell 'crazy' in central Texas? H-E-B! I don't use very much ice, I am just not in that habit. I emptied the ice in the ice maker, hoping it will have some ice tomorrow is Val, Paulina or Oliver would like ice in their sodas. Or water. Whatever. THe good new is, dinner will be ready in a few minutes.

Volume 17 - Day 329/36, 2025 - Tuesday

The day started off with me getting out of the bed. You thought I was going to say something about walking, didn't you? Well, shortly after getting out of the bed, Paul, Dick and I went for a walk. Since it is Tuesday, we then met for the ROMEO breakfast, and after that, I took the little white car in for service. Poor little white car, it has to go back on Monday for 'more stuff.' Don't they always? Whatever. My friends Carol and Mike invited me to join them at a David Byrne concert in Austin tonight, and it was a great concert. To be honest, I never paid much attention to David Byrne or the Talking Heads, but I was totally impressed. I will have to pay better attention in the future. I have turned on the sprinkler to let it run overnight, and then I will turn it off again. It is supposed to be considerably colder tomorrow, we got in to the high 70s today, and I put the top down on the little white car. I think the top will be down for a while. I have nothing on the schedule tomorrow, but I feel confident that I will find something to fill up the time. I feel certain I will visit one (if not two or three) groceries tomorrow, in anticipation of Thanksgiving on Thursday. 

Volume 17 - Day 328/37, 2025 - Monday

As it is wont to do, the sun came out this afternoon about 3 o'clock. Otherwise, it was grey and overcast most of the day. This morning when it was time to walk, it was raining, so we decided not to walk. Then it quit raining, and Paul and I did a half walk. It did kind of rain here and there in the morning, and at the Curious House, we recorded 0.04" of rain. Not much to talk about, but it is something. I had an appointment to take the Buzz in for service on Wednesday, and then I remembered that it was the day before Thanksgiving, and I plan to be busy on that day, so I took it in this morning, and got done what needed to be done. Later in the afternoon, I took the oven for a test drive; I have not used it for (probably) over four years. I did use it a couple times when I first moved in, but then I found it unnecessary to use, since I have a little toaster oven that works just as good. The bottom line is, the oven works and it no longer smells like a new oven when it is working. IYKYK. Tomorrow plans: Walk, ROMEO Breakfast, little white car service, nap(s). 

Volume 17 - Day 327/38, 2025 - Sunday

The photo accompanying this entry is as good as it got today. After the walk, clouds rolled in, and grey skies dominated the day. I did very little today; I went to HEB with three things on the list, and totally forgot about one of them. Butter. Late morning, Gina brought me some french toast and some bacon. That was my dinner, and it was delicious. I went to two estate sales and I bought one little thing that was priced at a dollar...and everything was 60% off, so... I'm taking the little white car in for service on Tuesday, and the Buzz will go in for service on Wednesday. On Tuesday night, I have been invited to a David Byrne concert, and I think that will be a lot of fun. Otherwise, the week ahead seems to be calm. Oops, I forgot, Thursday is Thanksgiving, and that is going to fun, even the football parts! 

Volume 17 - Day 326/39, 2025 - Saturday

A lovely day in central Texas. A good morning walk with James, Dick and Paul, and after the walk, I fed the girls and had a bagel for myself. I left about 9 o'clock to retrieve Paulina, we had a date at the blood bank to donate platelets. I have two appointments made for December, and I will continue going twice a month for the foreseeable future. For the first time since I have been donating, I donated from the vein in my right arm. I have always donated from my left arm, but the last time I donated, the vein in my left arm became angry, so I am giving it a rest. I think I will use my right arm for the next couple months, and then I think I will alternate arms. I really don't want my veins to be angry with me. I am fascinated with the book I am reading, Demon Copperhead. It received a lot of awards last year, and is allegedly a new take on David Copperfield which I can't remember if I ever read or not. BUT, it is an amazing book, not a happy book, but I am fascinated with it. It is about a 20 hour listen (I do Audible), and I am about half-way through. It is a side of life I have been lucky enough not to have experienced first hand, but it is a view of life that many do experience. I highly recommend it if you are looking for something that will keep your attention from the very beginning. The girls and I are basically piled up for the night, and we have had the windows open for that last couple of days. It is chilly outside, but still about 70 degrees inside, and very comfortable. So far today, I have not had to put on my winter slippers. 

Volume 17 - Day 325/40, 2025 - Friday

We got no more rain overnight, and the windows have been open since last night. The sun finally came out a little bit this afternoon, but it was mostly a grey day. Paul, Dick and I walked, and that was good. It was in the 60s, but it was not uncomfortable. As the day progressed, it was more and more chilly, and I put on my winter time house shoes because my feet are cold. But I am not going to close the windows. I was supposed to be at the truck accessory place today at noon, and apparently I can no longer tell time. I had it all timed out so I would not be late, and in fact I was an hour early! The running boards are installed on the Buzz, and now all I need to do is to get used to them. They are a definite help getting in, I am still awkward getting out. Fingers crossed. On the way home, I stopped by the VW dealer in Georgetown, a place that I am not thrilled to patronize, because I keep seeing messages like this when I get in...Inspection Service in 9 Days. Apparently it is just a kind of a routine inspection. In two or three weeks, I will have had the Buzz for a year, and it only has 6.200 miles on it. Speaking of 6,200 miles, while I was in Antarctica, we were told that our voyage, round trip, was 1,610.77 miles. It seemed like a lot farther. Tomorrow, Paulina and I will go and leave some platelets at the blood bank, which means that tonight and tomorrow morning, I am eating things that help build my iron levels up. Salmon, eggs, spinach. I'm glad I like those. No more rain in the forecast for a couple days, and the weather is supposed to cool down a little bit. In Texas, a little bit means 2 or 3 degrees cooler during the day, and overnight lows in the 50s.

Volume 17 - Day 324/41, 2025 - Thursday

We got a trace of rain off-and-on today, and finally this afternoon, we got a couple good showers. Now, it is still dribbling a little bit, I just went and checked the gauge, and so far 0.29". That is a good start. Jimmie, Dick, Paul and I walked this morning, and that was fun. Later in the morning, I went to Target (dog food and dog treats), I stopped at the little white car dealership and made an appointment for next Tuesday for regular service. I thin had a couple other stops before getting back to the Curious House. I had a 1:30 appointment, and then about an hour later, Jimmie and Linda and I went to Salt Trader for dinner. I had the fried fish and shrimp platter. It has been a while. Paulina came over at about 4:30, and we took off to Costco, so I can cross that off my list. I have worked for many years to convince people that I am helpless, and I think it is working. On Tuesday, Jimmie and Linda brought me food. Last night (I think it was last night) Kyung and James brought me food. Tonight, Billy and Gina brought me food. My neighbors are really generous and fun to hang around with. I also got the PowerBall pool going again, so we have that covered. Now, I am going to go get in the big chair and wait for more rain. I have never had a planter of impatiens look more beautiful than this, and I hope I can repeat it next year. They will still be good for a while, no freezing weather in the forecast...yet.

Volume 17 - Dy 323/42, 2025 - Wednesday

I'm happy to be getting back into my routines. I like very much having routines, and knowing what is on the schedule here and there. The day started with a walk with Dick and Paul. Some how, we missed Jimmie, but if it is not raining tomorrow morning (as predicted), he will join us for a walk. After the walk, I cleaned up some things in the office, and purged some things, and got the desk and work table cleared off so you can actually see that there is a desk and a work table in there. Then I was off to Austin, I picked up prescriptions, made a stop at Upper Crust, and then a stop at the place that has had the Buzz running boards for five weeks now. I now have an appointment on Friday to have them installed, and I hope that all goes well and that I will be satisfied, this time. Once back at the Curious House, I went down for a nap, and then took off for dinner with Jimmie and Linda. The girls were about an hour late getting their dinner, and I am pretty sure they thought they would never have another meal, and they would soon be dying of starvation. I don't have a whole lot on the calendar for the next several days, but I am pretty sure I will find something to keep me busy. I wonder what this journal would look like if I totally quit trying to correct all the spelling errors? There is always Paul!

Volume 17 - Day 322/43, 2025 - Tuesday

Well, I left on a Tuesday and I returned on a Tuesday. I'm just glad I don't have an office to go in to in the morning. Many of the people I was in Antarctica with were scheduled to go to work today. I left Buenos Aires last night at about 10PM. We made it to Houston this morning, maybe even a little earlier than scheduled. I went through customs, retrieved my luggage (maybe not in that order), checked in, put my luggage back in to the checked luggage place, and headed to the gate. The plane from Houston to Austin was not even close to being full...maybe not even half full. My entire row, not just my side of the row, was empty except for me. I am thinking of working myself into a complex about no roommate, no one next to me on planes...you know, just a general, all encompassing complex. Paulina was at the airport in Austin when I got out of that baggage claim, and we stopped at her house to pick up the girls. Everyone is settled in, I emptied the suitcases, and will finish putting stuff in its' proper place tomorrow. I did make a stop at the bank this afternoon, and a stop at HEB, so I am pretty set. I have had a couple texts from Lisa and Hanna, they are, as last reported, stuck in Ushuaia. They were to take a bus to Chile to pick up a camper van, and the bus keeps delaying the departure. It will all work out, and they will be having more adventures in their travels. As for me, I am getting ready to publish this entry, and then I will retire to the big chair with a couple girls, and that will most likely be it for tonight. Photo: I saw this guy n the airport last night, and when he was walking down the aisle of the plane, I told him I just wanted a picture of the shirt. Perfect. I edited the photo, but the photo has the biggest laugh on his face, fantastic!

Volume 17 - Day 321/44, 2025 - Monday

I am not even sure you can but a car with an automatic transmission in Argentina. I have been in a series of automobiles since I started this journey, and they were all stick shifts. Kind of reminds me of when I drove a stick shift, fun, nostalgic, but nothing I care to do again. I paid for a late checkout ($90US), and I slept late this morning. My watch said I got over eight hours of sleep, and I don't think that has happened in years. SO...I got up, had breakfast, and decided I would go in to downtown Buenos Aires, to see if I could get in to the cemetery. The first Uber I called charged my 7,000 pesos (about $5US) to tell me that the LaRecoleta I entered as my destination was not the LaRecoleta I wanted to go to, and he did not want to take me there. The hotel got me a cab, and all was good. I did not find Evita's tomb, I did not want to linger too long, because I did not want to do something stupid which would cause me to miss my flight. It is interesting walking around in the cemetery, many tombs are very pristine and beautiful, and many others are in a great state of disrepair. Those were the ones I wanted to look inside, where you can see the coffins and read about the inhabitants. Lots of baby sized coffins, and a very interesting place to visit. I overheard one of the tour guides say that the families of the dead have to pay a fee to the cemetery every 100 years, which might account for some of the maintenance issues. It is a beautiful day here, t-shirt weather, beautifully bright sunshine, and right now about 77 degrees. Traffic doesn't seem terrible here, there is just a lot of it, and it gets backed up. After the cemetery, I walked around for a while, then got an Uber back to the hotel. I plan to have a leisurely afternoon, and leave for the airport at 6PM. Okay, so that was not terrible. I was in the hotel vsn at 6PM, I got to the gate for United at about 7:15. Lines, there are a lot of lines here. Whatever. I made it through all the check points, and discovered that I had left my good luck charm in the basket that goes through TSA. I never expected to see it again, but they had it, and now I have it back. It was a crusher for a few minutes, though. Okay, this is it for today, I will post a comment when I get on the plane. I get to Houston at 5:30AM tomorrow, have to retrieve my two checked bags, go through customs, and then RE-check them for the Houston to Austin flight. It will all work out in the end. Just an FYI...every now and then, my sea-legs hit, and it feels like I am still on the ship. Just so you know...

Volume 17 - Day 320/45, 2025 - Sunday

Today was a REALLY busy day, but I am finally checked in to the hotel, and I just finished my dinner. SO...we got in to Ushuaia this morning, but the winds were very high, so it took us a little while for permission to enter the port. I did not sleep really well overnight, so I was up really early, and luggage was to be outside our cabins not later than 6AM. Breakfast was at 6:30, and we started disembarking about 8:15. I snuck out a little early, and stored my luggage (compliments of Quark), and took off to return the items I had rented for the trip. St. Martin is the main tourist street in Ushuaia, and I knew where I was headed this time. I got the stuff returned, just wandered around a bit, and I saw Lisa and Hanna having coffee. I told them I was going to walk up the street for a bit, and I would come back and join them. I could not find them when I went back, but I bet they are having fun in their B&B now before they head to Chile. I did not want to take any chances, so I Ubered (when did Uber become a verb?) to the airport, got checked in, checked two bags, and then waited. Antonio and Marcella arrived, and we hung out. When we got to Buenos Aires, they had about three hours to get to the OTHER airport in BA, get checked in, and head home to Paris. I thought I was at the right airport and called to courtesy van. After about an hour on WhatsApp, I determined the hotel is at the OTHER hotel, and Ubered there. Crazy. I am tired, I paid for a late check-out (6PM), so I am planning to sleep late, and maybe do nothing. I'll probably find something to do, maybe go back downtown and visit the cemetary. Maybe...

Volume 17 - Day 319/46, 2025 - Saturday

Today has really been a bittersweet day. It is interesting that I think I made at least four friends that I could consider really good friends. Lisa, Hanna, Antonio and Marcella.Lisa and Hanna will continue their journey that they started in October. Lisa will return home to Munich about December 18th, and Hanna will make it back to Munich sometime in April. My April trip to Italy will actually end in Berlin, but maybe I can see about getting a train to Munich and spend a night or two with them. I also believe I have made good friends with Antonio and Marcella, and they are now living in Paris. Marcella is from Montreal and Antonio is from Italy. Really good people, and I am just inappropriate enough to keep them all laughing. I am very proud of myself for making friends with these folks, and for even having made the acquaintances of several more. Most of them are terribly out of my league, and much more cosmopolitan than I could ever think about being, but it has been a lovely nine days.I learned a lot about the animals that service in the extreme conditions of Antarctica. They too have their ups and downs, but is is wonderful to think that even a little bit of help can make a big difference. I am also very proud of the fact that I know a boat load of people who have been to Antarctica, but they get it. Maybe I'll go back again, and maybe the next time I will camp out and do some kyaking. Who knows? I met some other folks; Mickal from Poland, James (like Bond) from Vietnam and currently living in Mebourne, a beautiful young lady named My (phonetically pronounced ME). My lies in Vietnam. William is a 22 year od Chinese man, and he is a fine young man. All the people I met are fine people, and I am happy to have made their acquaintance. I expect to talk more about this Expedition to Antarctica for at east the next couple of weeks,  so get prepared! Photo left to right: Ryan from Canada, Lisa from Germany, me, and Hanna, from Germany. Lisa and Hanna are sisters, and they are a bunch of fun.

Volume 17 - Day 318/47, 2025 - Friday

I figured out a way to send photos to myself, which makes me feel pretty okay. We headed north yesterday, today and tomorrow will be full days at sea. This morning at breakfast, there were 'hundreds' of whales off the starboard side of the ship. Of course, I got no photos at all, but there will be photos and videos included when Quark emails us the recap of this trip. From what I have seen so far, it was extraordinary. I have seen lots of whales, but not that many in the same place. We are heading north, they were heading south, to spend their summer in the Antarctic waters. Do you remember the child's song about Yankee Doodle? The guy that stuck a feather in his hat and called it 'Macaroni?' Well, it turns out, the song was not about noodles. Macaroni was a reference to 'fancy hats,' and there is a Macaroni penguin that has beautiful, very colorful feathers on its head. Who knew? More stuff: Penguins (and whales) are 'counter shaded.' Black on their backs and white on their stomachs. So, when these animals are in the water, the black on their backs blends with the dark water, and from below the water, the white on their stomachs blends with the brightness of the light from below water. One more thing...In the winter, the sea ice doubles the size of the Antarctic continent. That a lot of ice. We are being followed by lots of birds on the way north, and I hope you enjoy the photo included with this entry. 

Volume 17 - Day 317/48, 2025 - Thursday

There is no reason to try and pull the wool over your eyes, this journal entry says Thursday, but I am writing it on Friday, because the WiFi on the ship last night was not working. So here is the Thursday entry. It was extra cold this morning, and we headed out on the Zodiacs and landed at Portal Point on the continent of Antarctica, as opposed to our previous landings and various Antarctic peninsulas. I decided NOT to climb up snow and ice covered hills today, but I did have my picture taken with the flag of Antarctica. After lunch and a quick briefing, we sailed to Cierva Cove, where the water was much more calm (we were in a cove). The land there is protected, so we could not land, but we toured around in the Zodiacs for 90 minutes. Penguins, seals, whales. The sun came out, and I learned a new word; Apricity. It means 'the warmth of the sun in winter,' which was fitting for the afternoon. Once back on the ship, we had a toast to mark the end of our visit to Antarctica, and a group photo. We are heading back north now, and we will land back in Ushuaia on Sunday morning. Two sea days, A few interesting facts about Antarctica and one interesting fact about penguins: If all the ice in Antarctica melted in one day, it would raise the sea levels by 58 feet. Ninety percent of the earths fresh water is frozen in Antarctica. When penguins are resting on their stomachs, they are probably sleeping, but only four seconds at a time. It's called micro-sleeping, and they sleep about eleven hours a day...four seconds at a time,

Volume 17 - Day 316/49, 2025 - Wednesday

Insert (Yet Another) Photo here - I am kind of sad that I cannot add photos to this journal while I am traveling in Antarctica. There is so much beauty here, coupled with such quiet and isolation. I have taken plenty of photos, and will be happy to share them. I think when I return home, I will add three photos a day to this journal, kind of a 'throwback' to the time I have been traveling, along with the daily current updates. It seems only fair. Today was another busy day, and tomorrow will be our last day of seeing new things. We will head north on Friday, and once again traverse the Drake Passage. Our first landing today was at Port Lockroy, one of the first buildings (I think) in Antarctica. There is a Post Office and museum there, and lots of penguins. Then it was back to the ship for a presentation by one of the seven people living at this station, and the building is a Antarctic Treaty Historic Site, Number 61, and British Base A. Lots of interesting stuff. In the afternoon, we were off to a landing at Damoy Point, There are a British refuge hut there, alone with an Argentenian hut. I took another hike to the top of a point, and I did my best to pay attention to the beauty along with the still and the quiet. Incredible. Then it was back to the ship, and many people did the 'polar plunge.' I thought better of it myself, and did not participate. I think that was the smart thing to do. It is time to call an end to this day, I will share more with you tomorrow.

Volume 17 - Day 315/50, 2025 - Tuesday

Insert Another Photo Here - How can a place be so beautiful and magnificent, be so inhospitable at the same time. People have lived in Antarctica before, but not for long time, unless they were doing some kind of research or another. Today started with a cruise through the LeMaire Channel. After that, it began to snow, really snow, and soon there were 40 knot winds and zero visibility. Everything (except breakfast) was put on hold for a couple hours. We did not land on Pleneau Island, but we did a zodiac cruise around the area. While cruising around that area, we saw the iceberg graveyard, where the water is so shallow, they get stuck and stay there until they finally melt away. After lunch, we did land on Peterman Island, where there is an Argentine refuge station (in case you find yourself with no way to get where you thought you were going), and a cross erected in memory of three British scientists that decided to ski across the frozen ice and were never seen again. In other news, since I cut my hair, I no longer think I am looking like my grandmother (my father's mother). However, while looking in a mirror today, I was surprised to see Captain Kangaroo looking back at me. That will never do!

Volume 17 - Day 314/51, 2025 - Monday

INSERT PHOTO HERE!  Well, sorry, I have plenty of photos that I could share, but technologically speaking, it's just not going to happen. Get ready for a bit of a lesson on Antarctica, and more to come in the next several days. We had two landings today. First was on Cuverville Island, discovered during an exploration between 1897 and 1899, and named for a Vice Admiral in the French Navy. In 2022, someone counted that there were 4,461 nests on the island. When we landed, I did a good walk, and zig-zagged up a 200 meter path, just because it was there. Let me say that, walking on compacted snow is much less treacherous if you are on a flat surface. Walking poles help, but going up and down the compacted snow was very slippery. Then back to the ship. After lunch, there was a briefing for the people (40) that were signed up for camping tomorrow night. After the briefing (and the first landing), I decided that camping outside in Antarctica was not for me. So I cancelled. After that briefing, we took off again in zodiacs at Danco Island, home to 1,600 breeding pairs of penguins. More walk, more climbing. At both landings today, we did zodiac tours, and after the Danco landing, during our zodiac tour, we saw whales and a couple seals. An amazing place, and we still have several days to go with more landings, before we turn around and head back to Ushuaia. Tomorrow we will be at our southern most spot, and then we will have back north. 

Volume 17 - Day 313/52, 2025 - Sunday

Sorry I can't share the penguin photo with you, but again, I am not in charge of cell service or WIFI here in the middle of nowhere close! I am not complaining, I just wish I could share the photo I have of thousands of penguins I took from the ship this afternoon. The photo I am sharing with you, is of (I think) our sighting of the Shetland Islands. Later in the afternoon, we came to Deception Island, a horseshoe shaped island because what had been the volcano collapsed turning into a caldera that is 450 feet deep. SO, we cruised through a very small gap into the caldera, and that is where we could see penguins, research facilities (some still active, some deserted), a sunken ship that did not make it past the rocks (I did not see that), and mountain ranges covered in snow. Speaking of snow, it snowed most of the day, and someone made a snow woman on the seventh level. Tomorrow will be our first zodiac adventures, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We are scheduled to land at Cuverville Island and at Danco Island. But, you never know with the weather. Tomorrow afternoon, I will also get me briefing about camping one night, sleeping in a snow hole. I am really looking forward to that.

Volume 17 - Day 312/53, 2025 - Saturday

This was a full day at sea, and there were three lectures I attended, a recap of the day, and I just got back from a review of maritime superstitions. I have WIFI somewhat figured out, but not really. I have forwarded a few photos to my email from my phone, and only one of them has actually been received in my email, but it is better than nothing. Last night was not as bad as they had forecast, and we were informed today that the seas overnight should have been the worst of it. I think we are about halfway through the Drake Passage, and we may start to see some coastlines tomorrow. The lectures were interesting and informative; the Albatross, Antarctic Explorers, Part 1, and Wildlife and Ecology on and around Antarctica. Interestingly, a few early explorers SAW Antarctica, but they thought it was just ice. Later on, it was thought 'well, maybe there is land under all that ice.' I guess I will find out more during Part 2. Many of the passengers were not well today, so some of the things that were to be done today, are now scheduled for tomorrow. I don't want to brag or anything, and I especially don't want to jinx anything, but I have been on far worse cruises (weather wise and sea wise), but I have never been seasick. Okay, I will hopefully have more news tomorrow, and be able to share a better photo.

Volume 17 - Day 311/54, 2025 - Friday

Okay, so you all know that today is really Saturday, but it has taken me this long to figure out how to get the WIFI working on my laptop. The good news is, I think I have it figured out, so we are back to the status quo. Friday: We had to have our luggage down in the lobby by 9AM, so that was not a problem. I had mine down by 7:30, had breakfast, checked out of the hotel, and got on a bus to go to the Parque Nacional Tierra Del Fuego. It is a HUGE park, and we made three or four stops there, during the five hour tour. We got back to Ushuaia about 1:30, and we had to meet at 3:30 to be taken to the ship. We had lunch at as well known seafood restaurant, then went shopping for snacks (I bought nothing) and then made a stop at a coffee shop (I had none), then we met up to be transported to the ship. We departed at about 6PM, and we were warned that they were predicting 'gale to strong gale winds,' expected to begin around midnight. Hmmm. We shall see.

Volume 17 - Day 310/55, 2025 - Thursday

Today has been an interesting day. I was up at 3AM, in a ride to the airport at 4:45. Got to the airport at about 5:15, and hte chaos was chaotic! I got to the gate at about 6:30 (I really don't remember), but it was a while. The flight to Ushuaia was about 3 hours, and then we had the afternoon to ourselves. I did some walking around, some this-and-that. At about 4 o'clock this afternoon there was a knock on my hotel room door, I thought it was room service. Nope! I opened the door and there was 'roommate,' that I did not know about. Very nice man, James (like Bond) who grew up in Vietnam, and now lives in Australia. So, we both assumed we would be roommates on the ship, but NO...and no one can tell me who my roommate on the ship will be. Whatever... Anyway, James and I and his friend Mi had dinner, and now we are in the room (not Mi), trying to get everything coordinated for tomorrow. We are going on a tour of National Parks in Ushuaia, then meet to get on the boat at 3:40. Bags have to be in the lobby by 9AM. So many rules!

Volume 17 - Day 309/56, 2025 - Wednesday

As is usual, I got a room in the hotel with the BEST view possible. I actually think it is okay, If I look to the right, there is a view of the coolest (and HUGE) cemetery. I am not sure which view I would prefer. SO, I did not sleep a wink last night on the plane from Houston to Buenos Aires, even though my watch tracking system says I slept for an hour and 22 minutes. We landed, I went through customs, got my checked bag, and I found my tour guide for the day. It took over an hour to get from the airport to the hotel, where I checked in and checked my bags. Then, it was back in the car for a FIVE HOUR TOUR of the city. It is a fascinating place, lots of history, lots of stuff about Evita and the Tango, Spaniards, economic development, and history of Argentina. A beautiful city, and a city of very proud people. I got back to the hotel about 2:30, and tried to nap a little bit, but that didn't work. I went to dinner about 7PM, and that is really early in Buenos Aires. Usually, dinner is from around 10PM until midnight. I hope to be asleep. I am ready to crawl into bed, it is 8:30 here (there is a 3 hour time difference), and I have to be up at 3AM to get a transport to the airport at 5AM. Hopefully, things will slow down a little bit in the next few days, especially when I get on the boat and head through the Drake Passage and get to Antarctica!

Volume 17 - Day 308/57, 2025 - Tuesday

NO PHOTO!

Right now it is about 3:45PM and I have about 3 hours until my next flight. I had expected to make this trip with nothing but a carry-on and a backpack, but that did not happen. So, I have one checked bag, the carry-on and the backpack. I did a half-walk this morning with Richard and Paul, and I did not make the ROMEO breakfast. Richard is in charge of giving the pups their treats on the walks, and it was interesting because they were looking at me for treats. I finished packing what I thought I needed, and Paulina picked me up at the Curious House and took me to the airport. I texted Terry to see if he was working, and he came and visited with me for a little while. It was nice to see him, it has been about six weeks since we visited. So far, everything is going according to schedule. With any luck, I will have WIFI on the plane, and will finish this entry then. 9:00PM. The  ($16.99 for the entire flight) is not the greatest, so I doubt there will a photo with this entry. Right now we are about a thousand miles in to the trip, with about four thousand more to go. I think we are somewhere over Guatemala, or maybe not. Just finished dinner, and I am sitting next to a man (Darrell) from Memphis, who is also going to Antarctica (not on the same tour) and this is his fourth visit to Antarctica. Very interesting. SO...just know that, so far, all is well. We should be landing in Buenos Aires in about seven more hours, about 7AM their time. 4AM Georgetown time. More later (tomorrow) and there should be a picture or two.

Volume 17 - Day 307/58, 2025 - Monday

I was really kind of busy today...I didn't walk, but I was at Paulina's house with the girls at 7:45. Took the girls because Paulina and Val are keeping them while I am gone, and Paulina had an early morning appointment that I took her to. They will be back at the house tomorrow, they are going to stay here while I am gone. I have most of the packing done, trying to use only half of my carry-on bag (so I will have room for souvenirs), and a back pack. I think I can do it...it is looking okay so far. I have a load of clothes in the washer now, and after those things dry, I will be close to done. Not sure if I will walk tomorrow, but I am going to try. The rest of the night will mainly be spent chilling out. I think it is time to take a rest. I will let you know how it all worked out tomorrow. BUT...you never know what you will see at our local neighborhood store. This...the picture is worth a few words anyway, and the bottle is $65!

Volume 17 - Day 306/59, 2025 - Sunday

I did a full walk this morning, my back is a little bit better, but now my big toe on my left foot is aching. I assume I am just turning in to a puddle of mush, but, I am leaving on my trip in two days, so I am pretty sure I will survive until Tuesday afternoon. I still have a few things to do; laundry tomorrow, go to the bank tomorrow,  pack Tuesday morning, make some phone calls tomorrow, do more stuff tomorrow and Tuesday. It will all work out. This morning, I went and picked up Val and Paulina and Oliver. Paulina had an appointment to get another piercing in her ear, and then we went to lunch at Garbo's. I have been recommending it to them for a while, and they really enjoyed it. We all had fish and chips, except Val who had a lobster grilled cheese sandwich. Everyone was happy. On my way home, I stopped at Walmart (something I never do) and bought two pairs of stretchy pants. Same size I wear, but stretchy Wranglers. I will be much more comfortable on the trip with the stretchy relaxed fit pants than with the pants I already have (Levi's). I did go over the itinerary to make sure I had all the right flight records and hotel reservations and all that stuff. I am pretty secure that I have checked all the boxes. But I still have two days. My refrigerator is really sad, I have been trying not to buy groceries since I am leaving for a couple weeks, and I think I have done a good job with that. There are still a few things for Val and Paulina, but not much!

Volume 17 - Day 305/60, 2025 - Saturday

It was not quite as cool this morning for our (me, Paul, James and Dick) walk this morning. Interestingly, we could see lightning off in the distance, but nothing really close to us, and no rain. When we finished the walk, I did a few busy-work things around the Curious House, and then I was off (at 9 o'clock) to pick up Paulina, and we headed in to Austin to donate platelets. We made a quick stop at Upper Crust, I got cinnamon rolls for Gina, Billy, Kyung and James. Nothing for me, I'm trying to lose some weight. I'm not sure what Paulina got, but she had more bags than I did. We both had a issues with our machines, but we both finished up okay, and I donated plasma and a double draw of platelets. Interestingly, we both change our eating habits a little bit, to make sure our iron counts are good...it is very disappointing to us both if we get rejected for donating because of our iron counts. It has happened to us both once. After donating, Paulina went with me for just a quick errand, and then we headed back north. After I dropped her off, I got the little white car inspected, so I can process the car tag renewal before I leave on Tuesday. Once I got home, I fixed myself the Factor dinner that Billy and Gina gave me last night; Turkey and dressing. Very good. It has dribbled and rained off and on all day since about 9 o'clock this morning, if there is anything in the gauge, it won't be much, but it has kept the ground wet. I am going back over to Val and Paulina and Oliver's tomorrow morning, and we are all going to the Domain, and then to lunch. I think. I'm pretty sure. The sign says 'Your donation does not go far, but it goes a long way.'