Coming out of the Drake

This morning, we're closer to Tierra del Fuego, and the ride is much calmer
than when we hit the open Drake down by the Peninsula. People are coming
out of their cabins, and eating, which is always a good thing. This
morning, I didn't get up in time for a nice sunrise, but I did see 20 or so
albatross flying around the back of the ship, riding thermals. They were
just beautiful, and to see so many at once was pretty amazing. It's got to
be a hard life, growing up a little bit and then leaving home to go to sea
for three years before coming back, making babies, and then doing it
again. It seems they never rest.

We'll be coming into PA early in the morning tomorrow, and then I'll be in
PA until mid-April... after a trip like this, it really does make me want
to go home right now, but we have to wait for the other research vessel to
arrive. My babies are growing like gangbusters at home without me, and
Marc is hanging in there, getting a little help this weekend. I'll take
full advantage of being in a hotel and getting lots of good night's sleep
so I can make it up to him when I get back.