We moved about the L.M. Gould last night as we made final preparations to sail. As we said goodbye to our friends and colleagues at Palmer Station this morning, we participated in the farewell ceremony, the Polar Plunge. It is a tradition at Palmer Station that at least someone goes for a quick swim off the pier when the ship heads back to Punta Arenas. The graduate students joined a few of the Palmer Station staff.

We left Palmer Station at 9:00 a.m. heading for Punta Arenas, Chile, and then home to Santa Cruz, California. As the Gould pulled away from the wharf, we were greeted by a marvellous sunrise.

Once departed we all settled in for the trip across the Drake, hoping for good weather. So far, things look extremely good. The weather reports are favorable; the wind is minimal at 5-7 knots. We hope that our good fortune will continue as we make the crossing.