Food Patterns in Antarctica - Count Down Day 3

Near King George Island, Antarctica 2012 © Leilani Henry

No where in the world is food more important than during Polar expeditions.

Even though my father was part of the mess or kitchen crew on the USS Bear, I never thought this type of position had much to offer history. Probably because of my less than enthusiastic relationship with cooking. See my guest blog post in The Antarctic Book of Cooking and Cleaning. This book is a fantastic account of two women, Wendy Trusler and Carol Devine, who were a part of an environmental cleanup project on Bellinghausen station, King George Island.
I happened to be in the same location in 2012, and had no idea of their expedition six years prior.

The blog, Green with Renvy, published beautiful book review of Trusler and Devine's book. It inspired me to pull a menu from Byrd's III expedition that my father, George W. Gibbs, JR., had a hand in making aboard their 68 year old wooden barkentine sailing vessel-USS Bear.

From Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University Archives:

Planned on August 1, 1939 for the first week at sea ( 11/22/1939)

Breakfast: stewed prunes, hominy grits, condensed milk, chipped beef on toast, fig perserves, buttered toast, coffee
Lunch: local fish stew, local fried fish fillets, french fried potato shreds, cucumber pickles, bread and butter, vitaminized cherry gelatine, and cocoa
Dinner: Rice, rye bread and butter, stuffed olives, bohemian tea, crab apple jelly

You know that chocolate, cocoa, chocolate malt- any way you can make and eat cacao is present in ALL of the polar expeditions. High fat, high calories and good for your intuition. (according to Yogi J. Oliver Black as reported to me by Dr. Aaron Flickstein)

Finally, the photo is from my 2012 Antarctic trip. We visited an abandoned hut and found what... chocolate! Still edible from years past. ( I don't have a date)

Brilliant Antarctica Day

The ice free zone in Antarctica is brilliant.  I'm reminded of the beauty, as I report my experience on this short video.  It's clear I established my own connection with this continent and feel called to return and see much more.

 I recently discovered that I did see sights similar to what my father would have seen.  At the time, the United States Antarctic Service (USAS) III expedition was confidential, so the 200 pictures my father took were turned into the Navy.  I don't know where to begin to search for the negatives.

Seal and Bird Encounter

Didn't catch the name of this seal. 
You may have read my earlier post about (almost bumping into) seals.  Upon reflection, I realize desire to feel and touch everything I could about Antarctica. On some level, I wanted to (literally) bump into the animals.  Some of them will bite.  In the end, stayed safe! 

Received note from a friend today.  It's a female southern elephant seal.  Thanks Gail!

Antarctic Seals

It's hard to see the seals in some of these pictures. While taking pictures and being in awe of the environment, I almost walked into the camouflaged seals!  Of course these pics are closeups. With great guides on this trek,

they helped me look up at just the right time.  No doubt, Antarctica is wilderness!!.

From National Archives:Weddell seals, Melchoir Islands.  My father was here. Doesn't look much different.

All things penguin

Alejo Contreras Staeding

Gentoo Penguins

Chin strap penguin

The penguins are as engaging and delightful as I thought!  King George Island area has Adelie, Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins.

My First Glimpse of Antarctica

I went to the ice free zone of Antarctica. King George Island.  We landed on Ernest Shackleton's birthday!

Alejo Contreras Staeding, guide in Antarctica

Alejo Contreras Staeding is an excellent guide.  Little did I know how excellent.  He is the first Chilean to ski to the South Pole.  It took him 97 days on a solo trip.  He is the embodiment of an Antarctic explorer.  I learned to appreciate the beauty and mystery of polar exploration from the short time with Alejo.  His enthusiasm for going places no human has ever touched is something I hadn't thought of. 
We received a certificate of exploration from the company who prepared the tour.  DAP Antarctica hosted Bill Gates last year on this same trip!

Trip to King George Island Pics

I've had so much trouble getting internet.  The glacier is Nelson Island. We went there in a zodiac boat.  The penguin pecked at my pants, great close up!  We were in an ice free zone and visited places that were iced in over the winter.  Off to Torre Del Paine park where the fire was last month.

Michael Ashley Professor of Astrophysics at University of New South Wales

Here's a blog from astronomer Michael Ashley, who recently started his six week journey to Antarctica!

@hottopicnz Twitter Hot Topic
South Pole had its warmest ever Christmas Day: max was a sweltering -12.3C. Previous record -17.2C in 1978.

Democracy 1776, breaking away from King George III

This article caught my eye this morning. I was wondering about the name of the island I am going to in Antarctica: King George Island. My father was active in the democratic process. Since I am not very smart about history or our political process, this article is not something I typically read or understand. It's about why the U.S. broke away from King George III in England.
27 Reasons Why We Became a New Nation. The article has this quote which reonates with We are All Antarctica! Ben Franklin matter-of-factly noted: “Indeed we must all hang together; otherwise we shall most assuredly hang separately.”