Living at Palmer Station

Hello, Son !!!
Yes; I finally got around to reading all your journal entries to date.
One really gets the flavor of what's going on down there by reading what you write.

Although I always ask you question after question about what it's like on The Ice, I've never received the thorough explanations about the clothing, the boat training, the survival training, etc. that you provide in your journal entries.

It's all very interesting to me. Your descriptions and pictures are the stuff I think kids in classrooms would like to know about. So, any readers who are so inclined should consider passing this web address to teachers they know.

Keep up the good work, Kevin !
Stay just as safe as you can.
Love, Dad
(PS: I hope this long "comment" doesn't embarrass you too much! It's just that what you're doing is so unique, and yes, your family is so very proud !")

From Kevin Peters, Posted On 3/9/2004 7:38:40 PM

Thanks Dad, you have not ever embarrassed me TOO much. I know my dad does this, but if you are reading this and have anyone who might have an interest in this site, please pass it on to them. We would love to teach people about what we are doing down here and have them interact with us as well. Thanks again for the comment and I am currently researching the other comment you asked previously.

HI Kevin, I am a first cousin of your Dad's way up north in Albion, New York. Just finding a minute to catch up with all of your expedition - it sounds fantastic! Did I read right that those boats are inflatable? How big are they and how many people do they hold? I can't imagine being in that ice in an inflatable boat. Kathleen

From Kevin Peters, Posted On 3/10/2004 6:01:05 AM

Hello Kathleen. Good to hear from some of my New York relatives. Thank you for checking in and let anyone up there know that they can send a comment in as well. The boats are inflatable, but very durable. There is a small amount of air that leaks out of them, but they are checked everyday by the boating coordinator as to make sure they are fit for use by station personnel. The larger boats can hold 10 people, while the smaller boats can hold up to 6 people. I actually feel quite safe when I am out in the Zodiacs. Thanks a lot for the comment Kathleen and it is great to hear from some family. Tell everyone I say hello.

Kevin,

As always, I appreciate you sharing your experiences with me. Curious as to what your nickname might be.

As always, I appreciate you sharing your experiences with me. Curious as to what your nickname might be. Things in Huntsville are about the same.
Great Weather.
Take care and God Bless and Keep you safe and well.

Ruth Ann

From Kevin Peters, Posted On 3/10/2004 8:07:35 AM

Thank you again Ruth Ann for checking in. I like to share these experiences and it is great to see people out there are enjoying hearing about us. You comment about my nickname took me a bit to figure out. My problem is that I have been given several nicknames during the time I have been down here. The current one is "Red" due to my hair color. It is a nice short one and I know they are talking to me when it is said. The hair has already grown a decent amount and now I am having more of red highlights than anything else. Almost time for another haircut. I am glad to hear things are going great in Huntsville. I hope you guys continue to have great weather although mom and dad have told me that there were several nights of cold last week as well. We are still having "cold" weather but it is very nice at times. There were heavy winds last week that got up to more than 50 knots, but the past several days have been very nice with some nice sunsets. Thank you for the blessings and I will try and stay as safe as possible.

Hello, Kevin! I stumbled upon this and decided to take a look... and I must say... it all sounds like quite the experience, and you seem to be enjoying yourself, which is a plus. But... I can very much relate to having problems getting up in the morning. Thankfully, I have a very obnoxious alarm clock. If I didn't, I would probably almost never make it to my physics lab! Anyway... hang in there. One day you might actually LIKE waking up early! Best of luck on all your work down there. I'll check this out again sometime in the coming weeks.

--Nikeela

From Kevin Peters, Posted On 3/11/2004 2:53:50 PM

Nikeela - Good to hear from you. Thank you for understanding my not being able to wake up. My alarm clock, a.k.a. Sparky, is not obnoxious at all (if I said he was, he might not wake me up anymore). I really hope that getting up early will someday be easier for me, although I never really think that I will enjoy waking up early, you never know though. Thanks for the comment and good luck with classes.

I am doing a presentation on Plamer Station for my Ecosystems Ecology class here at Bemidji State University. I have a few questions for you and would appreciate your time answering them. First off what is the name of the research vessel that supplies Palmer? I have found three vessels and am very confused. I know the Polar Duke was retired in 97, but I keep finding information on a Laurence M. Gould and a Nathan B. Palmer. I can't figure out which is the current vessel. The other question I have for you is this, What has been the most life enhancing experience for you thus far? Thank you very much for your time.

From Kevin Peters, Posted On 3/26/2004 10:48:25 AM

Erich - The Laurence M. Gould (LMG) is the regular supplier and transporter for Palmer Station. The Nathaniel B. Palmer (NBP) is a larger ship that has brought people to Palmer Station as well as taken hazardous waste away from Palmer. A lot of the time, the NBP is over on the other side of the continent near McMurdo Station. It is a true ice breaker, so it can handle the ice over there a lot better than the LMG. -- For the most life enhancing experience so far...that is a tough one. This is my third trip down and my last as a student. Each time has provided me with something different. The first year, I would have to say just coming down and seeing this part of the world was the best thing for me. It made me think about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The second year was the diving! The fact that I could more than double the number of dives I had made in my lifetime down here and the stories that I am now able to tell and things I have seen. This year, I would have to say the interactions with the people down here has enhanced my life the most. I have made friends down here that I will keep forever. Others, I might never see again, but they will always be remembered by me. These are the people that make Palmer Station! -- I am sorry if none of this helps with your ecosystems ecology class. Thank you for the questions and hope everything is well way up north!