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Week of April 23, 2023
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Thursday
We arrived at Palmer Station late last night. Phoebe just arrived about an hour ago. Holy Idaho! Can I just say that considering Phoebe is such a wealthy lady - she certainly doesn't have a "wealth" of knowledge! I will tell you the entire story. You see, Palmer Station has several small research buildings. There is also a helicopter pad (where Uncle GT's helicopter landed). Phoebe arrived by boat at one of several places to dock. Next, we all walked to the various research centers looking for Phoebe. We even carried a picture of Phoebe and Dewey along with us. The people in Building 1 said they hadn't seen her or the dog. Building 2 had a researcher who started laughing out loud when he saw the pictures. He said, "You are looking for the wacko polar bear lady." We were all sort of confused. The researcher explained, "I think I saw the lady you are looking for -and the dog. She came in here asking me questions about the polar bears in Antarctica. Obviously, she hadn't done her research because Antarctica has no polar bears. They are on the other pole. I told her if she wanted to see polar bears, she had a LONG flight to the northern tip of the northern hemisphere. We are WAY south in the southern hemisphere. If you want to see some animals here, you better be looking for Penguins. And most of those aren't even around right now - except the Emperor Penguins." Holy Idaho! We couldn't believe Phoebe was crazy enough (or so misinformed) to think she would see polar bears. Hehehe! The researcher told Uncle GT and the other two men that Phoebe was heading to Building 4 (because she was obviously embarrassed about the "polar bear incident"). Phoebe wanted to talk to the other researchers about ice levels. Why do you think Phoebe wanted to talk about the ice levels? This is one wacko woman!
The researcher also told them that Phoebe didn't understand why it was mostly dark at Palmer Station in April. Seriously, this lady is clueless. Palmer Station is located in the southern hemisphere (remember the area south of the equator), just above the Antarctic Circle. So that means that April is near the start of WINTER. During the winter months, there are only one or two hours of sunlight near the Antarctic Circle, in Antarctica, and no sunlight is further south. Do you remember any other places we visited that had limited daylight? I remember two places - do you?
The research center had pictures of several types of penguins. Aren't the penguins adorable?
The researcher also told them that Phoebe didn't understand why it was mostly dark at Palmer Station in April. Seriously, this lady is clueless. Palmer Station is located in the southern hemisphere (remember the area south of the equator), just above the Antarctic Circle. So that means that April is near the start of WINTER. During the winter months, there are only one or two hours of sunlight near the Antarctic Circle, in Antarctica, and no sunlight is further south. Do you remember any other places we visited that had limited daylight? I remember two places - do you?
The research center had pictures of several types of penguins. Aren't the penguins adorable?
- Meri
These penguins are "dancing" Adelie penguins. They love to have fun and are about 18-20 inches. Photo used by permission. © Copyright 2007 W. Pomeroy. All rights reserved.
These are the Macaroni penguins, named by the British. The British called feathers, macaroni. Do you know a song that involves a feather/macaroni in a cap? Photo used by permission. © Copyright 2007 W. Pomeroy. All rights reserved.
More adorable penguins! Photo used by permission. © Copyright 2007 W. Pomeroy. All rights reserved.
The Capture of Phoebe Equator!
Uncle GT knew the exact building where Phoebe (and Dewey) were. Uncle GT now had a government official on the island (Brooke) ready to arrest Phoebe. We all went over to Building 4, where Dewey and Phoebe were. We all walked into the building and showed the researcher the picture of Dewey and Phoebe. He said they were in the gift shop, grabbing a snack. This was it!
When we all entered the gift shop and came FACE-TO-FACE with Phoebe and Dewey, her eyes opened very wide, and her mouth opened but let out nothing but little noises for a few moments. Then she muttered something to another lady in the gift shop about how she had been running into us all over the globe. It was crazy! We told her we were there to rescue Dewey; the charade was over. About two seconds later, the U.S. government official walked in, too. Brooke (the government official) stood near the door while we talked to Phoebe and Uncle GT. We told Phoebe that the U.S. Government had sent an official to Palmer Station to arrest her for stealing government property. Phoebe's eyes darted, then down to the floor as she denied knowing anything about Dewey being a stolen dog from the U.S. government. Dewey lowered his back into a crouch and started to back away from Phoebe, whining almost into a howl as if something was hurting his ears. Remember - he sniffs out the truth! He was slowly wiggling his neck, trying to get loose from the collar and chain holding him to Phoebe. Phoebe shifted her weight and scolded, "Sit, Dewey." She explained that she purchased Dewey from a company in China. She claimed that she had actually just saved Dewey from a wild polar bear! She is unbelievable!
Meri calmly stated, "No, you didn't buy Dewey - you STOLE Dewey for the second time. We know the entire story: you blamed your husband, Claude, for the initial dog-napping, sold Dewey to Veritas, stole him back from Veritas, and all of the rest of the pranks you've pulled. And a polar bear - seriously! You certainly have not done your research! There aren't ANY polar bears in Antarctica! You are at the wrong pole to see polar bears. "
Phoebe shook her head and insisted, looking up at Uncle GT, "They Lie." Again, Dewey pulled and backed away from Phoebe with a low growl. At this point, I decided to try to speak to Dewey in German, the language Veritas said he was trained in. (Remember we learned some simple German from Fraulein Garrett in Germany).
I told Dewey in German, "Hallo- Freund" (translates to hello - friend). Dewey's head snapped around as he looked straight at him, and his tail started wagging happily. He wiggled the rest of his way out of his collar and ran to Uncle GT and me. He licked my hand and snuggled up against his leg. I hugged him and told him that he was safe now.
In the meantime, the government official came in and handcuffed Phoebe. Phoebe asked if she could say a few final words to Uncle GT. The official, Brooke, ushered her over to him with her hands behind her back. Phoebe apologized to him and to Dewey. She jabbered on that she was just a selfish woman. She loved her diamonds, caviar, fashionable clothing, and expensive cars. She just wanted to learn the truth about the Northwest Passage, she said, because she figured she could make a LOT of money. She was using Dewey to learn the truth about global warming, polar ice, and the opening of the Northwest Passage. She wanted to buy land there, build more hotels, and get rich from it. She said she never meant any harm to come to Dewey, and she treated him very well. Dewey's tail thumped on the floor, so we all knew she was finally telling the truth.
Even though Phoebe was sorry for what she had done, she had still stolen United States property and was under arrest. Since Palmer Station is a United Stated research center, the United States official, Brooke, had the authority to arrest her there and take her back to the states for a trial.
When we all entered the gift shop and came FACE-TO-FACE with Phoebe and Dewey, her eyes opened very wide, and her mouth opened but let out nothing but little noises for a few moments. Then she muttered something to another lady in the gift shop about how she had been running into us all over the globe. It was crazy! We told her we were there to rescue Dewey; the charade was over. About two seconds later, the U.S. government official walked in, too. Brooke (the government official) stood near the door while we talked to Phoebe and Uncle GT. We told Phoebe that the U.S. Government had sent an official to Palmer Station to arrest her for stealing government property. Phoebe's eyes darted, then down to the floor as she denied knowing anything about Dewey being a stolen dog from the U.S. government. Dewey lowered his back into a crouch and started to back away from Phoebe, whining almost into a howl as if something was hurting his ears. Remember - he sniffs out the truth! He was slowly wiggling his neck, trying to get loose from the collar and chain holding him to Phoebe. Phoebe shifted her weight and scolded, "Sit, Dewey." She explained that she purchased Dewey from a company in China. She claimed that she had actually just saved Dewey from a wild polar bear! She is unbelievable!
Meri calmly stated, "No, you didn't buy Dewey - you STOLE Dewey for the second time. We know the entire story: you blamed your husband, Claude, for the initial dog-napping, sold Dewey to Veritas, stole him back from Veritas, and all of the rest of the pranks you've pulled. And a polar bear - seriously! You certainly have not done your research! There aren't ANY polar bears in Antarctica! You are at the wrong pole to see polar bears. "
Phoebe shook her head and insisted, looking up at Uncle GT, "They Lie." Again, Dewey pulled and backed away from Phoebe with a low growl. At this point, I decided to try to speak to Dewey in German, the language Veritas said he was trained in. (Remember we learned some simple German from Fraulein Garrett in Germany).
I told Dewey in German, "Hallo- Freund" (translates to hello - friend). Dewey's head snapped around as he looked straight at him, and his tail started wagging happily. He wiggled the rest of his way out of his collar and ran to Uncle GT and me. He licked my hand and snuggled up against his leg. I hugged him and told him that he was safe now.
In the meantime, the government official came in and handcuffed Phoebe. Phoebe asked if she could say a few final words to Uncle GT. The official, Brooke, ushered her over to him with her hands behind her back. Phoebe apologized to him and to Dewey. She jabbered on that she was just a selfish woman. She loved her diamonds, caviar, fashionable clothing, and expensive cars. She just wanted to learn the truth about the Northwest Passage, she said, because she figured she could make a LOT of money. She was using Dewey to learn the truth about global warming, polar ice, and the opening of the Northwest Passage. She wanted to buy land there, build more hotels, and get rich from it. She said she never meant any harm to come to Dewey, and she treated him very well. Dewey's tail thumped on the floor, so we all knew she was finally telling the truth.
Even though Phoebe was sorry for what she had done, she had still stolen United States property and was under arrest. Since Palmer Station is a United Stated research center, the United States official, Brooke, had the authority to arrest her there and take her back to the states for a trial.
- Geo
Here is the view from the window inside Building 4. Photo used by permission. ? Copyright 2007 W. Pomeroy. All rights reserved.
The Return Flight Home
Everyone flew on the United States jet from Palmer Station to Sydney, Australia, with Phoebe in handcuffs, Uncle GT, Dewey, Brooke, Geo, and I. We all arrived in Sydney. Phoebe and Brooke left for a commercial flight heading back to DC. Uncle GT called the prison that was still holding Claude Equator and told them to prepare for Claude to be transferred back to the United States to go on trial, along with his wife, for the dognapping of Dewey. I wonder if he will get a lighter sentence. I still can't believe Phoebe just left her husband in jail! That woman is a piece of work!
Uncle GT surprised us and said he was taking the company jet and heading to Phoenix with Dewey! We will spend quality time with our favorite dog and uncle for a few days! I can't believe this mission is finally over.
Uncle GT surprised us and said he was taking the company jet and heading to Phoenix with Dewey! We will spend quality time with our favorite dog and uncle for a few days! I can't believe this mission is finally over.
- Meri
Antarctic Circle - The Antarctic Circle is an imaginary line (similar to the equator) that is found around 66 00 South latitude.
equator - an imaginary line on the earth's surface that is positioned halfway between the north pole and the south pole. The equator divides the earth into the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere.
northern hemisphere - the half of the planet Earth that is north of the equator. The northern hemisphere contains 90% of the human population and most of the land on the Earth.
Northwest Passage - a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Canadian Arctic. This passage is a direct route for ships to travel from Europe to Asia across the Arctic Ocean. The passage is becoming ice-free for the first time since satellite records began to be kept in the 1970s.
Palmer Station - Palmer Station is a United States research center located in Antarctica. The U.S. has three research centers in Antarctica. Palmer Station is the only one located north of the Antarctica Circle.
southern hemisphere - the half of the planet Earth that is south of the equator. The southern hemisphere contains all of Antarctica and Australia, most of South America, and part of Asia and Africa.
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Understands the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographical tools and technologies.
Grade 3-5: Knows the basic elements of maps and globes (title, legend, cardinal, scale, grid, meridians, time zones, etc.).
Grade 6-8: Understands concepts such as axis, seasons, rotation, and revolution.
Knows the location of places, geographical features, and patterns of the environment.
Grade 3-5: Knows the approximate location of major continents, mountain ranges, and bodies of water on Earth.
Understands the characteristics and uses of spatial organization of Earth's surface.
Grade 3-5: Understands how changing transportation and communication technology has affected relationships between locations. Ease of travel between some and difficulty getting to some others because of transportation and how people move and shop from one to the other because of the ease (trains, road systems, ferries, etc...).
Grade 6-8: Understands how places are connected and how these connections demonstrate interdependence and accessibility (such as - the role of the changing transportation and communication technology).
Knows the physical processes that shape patterns on Earth's surfaces.
Grade 3-5: Knows how Earth's position relative to the Sun affects events and conditions on Earth.
Grade 6-8: Knows the consequences of a specific physical process operating on Earth's surface (e.g., effects of an extreme weather phenomenon such as a hurricane's impact on a coastal ecosystem, effects of heavy rainfall on hill slopes, effects of the continued movement of Earth's tectonic plates).
Understands how physical systems affect human systems.
Grade 6-8: Knows how the physical environment affects life in different regions (e.g., how people in Siberia, Alaska, and other high-latitude places deal with the characteristics of tundra environments; limitations to coastline settlements as a result of tidal, storm, and erosional processes).