The Atlantis ran on coffee and ginger today. I have to admit, sleeping below water is peaceful. The light rocking and the gurgle of the water as it hits the side of the ship are nice. Last night, however, the ocean gods were bowling and we were the pins. I can’t tell you the exact height of the waves but I imagine there were swells close to twenty feet.
We were lucky the first two days. Today, as dinner plates flew off tables, walking sideways was a sought after skill and opening doors became a Herculean event, I am reminded that this is November in the North-Atlantic.
The deck has been closed for two days. Peter Gaube, one of the scientists onboard, captured this great video illustrating why.
Link to Video:
http://vimeo.com/145070416
Day 4 also saw another successful launch of the weather balloon. Ever wonder how long the balloon lasts before it succumbs to a reduction in surrounding pressure? Well, I am told anywhere from one to two hours. That’s enough time for the researchers to gather important information like wind speed, temperature and humidity. All of these conditions will factor into the work they are doing onboard (more on that later).
No matter how big the waves, it seems there is an awesome nightcap to everyday at sea. Sometimes it is the sunset, tonight it was walking to the front deck, in pitch black, surrounded by stars. The C-130, that will meet up with the ship at the first stop, flew overhead. On the underbelly, a green laser that looked like a giant glow stick in the sky. This is a moment that was not on my bucket list...but it should have been. Falling asleep tonight with gratitude for being a part of, in some small way, this awesome adventure
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