So the references make sense I’m a leader in three different blogging groups on Writing. com. In 30 Day Blogging Group, I’m only a leader in August because I host this crazy travel adventure whereas  in the other two groups I send out writing prompts along with Neva, Joy, and Megan. We’re an awesome team.

The August adventure I compile all the research and then send out everyday, the prompts for each group, which are broken down into sections so each blogger has the option of doing one or both.

Day 1

30 day Activities :Kayaking with the whales and watching penguins and sampling local cuisine.

30 day Camping in Antarctica isn’t an activity for everyone — cozying up on the frozen ground in sub-zero temperatures isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice the luxuries of a comfy bed surrounded by four walls, you’re in for one of the coolest sleepovers you’ll ever have. While every boat tour company’s “campground” varies, one option could be Hovgaard Island on the west-facing side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Some outfitters provide tents while others opt for a more au natural experience of only a waterproof, cold weather sleeping bag (bivy sack) and thermal mat. Sleeping under the infinite number of Antarctica’s twinkling stars is a surreal experience and knowing there’s nothing between you and all of Antarctica’s frozen glory is truly a magical feeling. I’ve chosen the au natural for us.
https://www.2foodtrippers.com/antarctica-food/#:~:text=Oh%20Pemmican%2C%20the%20…
Men need to increase their caloric intake to 4500 and women to 3900 to handle the temperatures. I’m assured we won’t gain weight.

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My response to the prompt.

It’s exciting to see what I’ve missed on my unlikely to do bucket list at my age. If I was younger and this was in my price range for vacations, oh I would have definitely done this. Being a Mainer, cold didn’t deter me so sleeping under the stars is extremely appealing especially with aurora borealis or actually since we’re in the south aurora australis as a backdrop. Southern auroras are not often seen as they are concentrated in a ring around Antarctica and the southern Indian Ocean. So this experience is beyond amazing for me. Did you know the name Aurora in Roman mythology means Goddess of the Dawn> Many cultural groups have legends about the lights. “In medieval times, the occurrences of auroral displays were seen as harbingers of war or famine. The Maori of New Zealand shared a belief with many northern people of Europe and North America that the lights were reflections from torches or campfires. The Menominee Indians of Wisconsin believed that the lights indicated the location of manabai’wok (giants) who were the spirits of great hunters and fishermen. The Inuit of Alaska believed that the lights were the spirits of the animals they hunted: the seals, salmon, deer and beluga whales. Other aboriginal peoples believed that the lights were the spirits of their people.” ~

My experiences in a kayak until now were always on a lake or river. I’m not worried about navigating the kayak only the possibility of being that close to a whale. Part of me says, Oh yeah and the other part says no f-ing way. But then you’re also talking with the girl who met a moose that had just surfaced in the middle of the lake. The moose was devouring the green algae from the bottom of the lake and came up for air right in front of me. I did some serious back stroking, and it kept on munching totally unfazed. Yes, they can swim and do go under water quite frequently to get food especially during the heat of the summer.

Kayaking in a group is novel to me, my past experiences have been with one person or alone so I’m enjoying myself. I have to agree about getting a camera out of a dry bag isn’t easy. I’m so glad I opted for the disposal water proof cameras. Hopefully, I don’t drop it in the water, too dang cold to want to make a dive for it. I tucked one of my cameras inside my wet suit on a neck chain so I could get to it quicker so I could get pictures. The seals are amazing thus far, really hoping we do see a whale. I didn’t know how playful penguins are until now, we’re the least of their concerns today. I still can’t get over how clear and smooth the water is when we sit still, it’s like we’re looking a large glass windows with our reflections.

https://www.adventurouskate.com/kayaking-antarctica/#:~:text=Kayaking%20in%20Ant…

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BCoF Are you familiar with any of these authors or books? or discuss one of these quotes:

“Antarctica. You know, that giant continent at the bottom of the earth that’s ruled by penguins and seals.” ― C.B. Cook, Twinepathy

“I want to visit the snow in Antarctica before global warming turns it into a tropical paradise.”― Steven Magee

https://www.wayfairertravel.com/inspiration/books-about-antarctica/

I’m not familiar with any of the authors but after glancing at the list, there’s a couple I have added to my reading list. First would be, Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, by Alfred Lansing. I can’t imagine the horror Shackleton must have mentally endured knowing his ship was stuck in the ice. Just thinking about how does one motivate one’s self to keep doing everything possible to stay alive versus simply accepting death. His actions set the pace/ mindset for his crew.
According to wikipeidia, “Disaster struck this expedition when its ship, Endurance, became trapped in pack ice and was slowly crushed before the shore parties could be landed. The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated, then by launching the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and ultimately South Georgia Island, a stormy ocean voyage of 720 nautical miles (1,330 km; 830 mi) and Shackleton’s most famous exploit. In 1921, he returned to the Antarctic with the Shackleton–Rowett Expedition, but died of a heart attack while his ship was moored in South Georgia. At his wife’s request, he was buried there.” Shacleton was never at ease at home with his family. Antarctica was in his blood.

“Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.”― Ernest Shackleton

The second book that captured my interest was Alone by Richard Byrd. In 1928 Byrd’s photographic and geological studies got him promoted again to Rear Admiral. He had already earned that rank in WWII but had taken a demotion to be involved in the Cross-Atlantic studies being conducted by the Navy. He was hooked, his love for Antarctica continued forward. However according to wikipeida, this is where the story gets dangerous and became the base for the book. “On his second expedition in 1934, Byrd spent five winter months alone operating a meteorological station, Advance Base, from which he narrowly escaped with his life after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning from a poorly ventilated stove. Unusual radio transmissions from Byrd finally began to alarm the men at the base camp, who then attempted to go to Advance Base. The first two trips were failures due to darkness, snow, and mechanical troubles. Finally, Thomas Poulter, E.J. Demas, and Amory Waite arrived at Advance Base, where they found Byrd in poor physical health. The men remained at Advance Base until October 12 when an airplane from the base camp picked up Dr. Poulter and Byrd. The rest of the men returned to base camp with the tractor.[3] This expedition is described by Byrd in his autobiography Alone. It is also commemorated in a U.S. postage stamp issued at the time, and a considerable amount of mail using it was sent from Byrd’s base at Little America.”

I’m looking forward to experiencing these men’s journey through their eyes. I wonder what they would think about what is happening now with climate change.

“Half the confusion in the world comes from not knowing how little we need.”― Richard E. Byrd

If you’re interested and want to respond, feel free to join in. Just put the link to what you’ve written in the comments.