Hello All!
A hodge podge of news from the "rock" here in Antarctica (McMurdo Station is often referred to as the "rock" as it is one of the few spots here that is not totally covered in snow and ice all of the time). The big story is that the oldest building on the station, Hut #9 had a fire in it today. Yes, McMurdo Station has a Fire Department! In fact, fire is a very important thing to watch out for here, as the Antarctic is a very, very dry place. Things can be set on fire very easily, and the cold weather makes it hard to fight fires here. Fire can be especially dangerous here due to the climate.
I've been meaning to toss in a few words about "daisy" picking day. The Staff here, mostly ASA, but others as well, join in every so often to pick up the bits of trash and garbage that does seem to find its way around town here. Efforts like this make even a very populated spot like McMurdo Station seem like a very clean environment.
Unfortunately the visitors that I was due to give demos to today did not get to make it )the folks from the State Department and the Smithsonian Institution). However, I did get a second set of DVs to stop by in the afternoon, who were Master Sergeants in the US Navy. The enjoyed a nice visit looking at the "herbies" or storms on the satellite images.
That's all from here for today!
Matthew
