If you follow my social media, you know Kathy and I recently traveled to Antarctica. When I mention the trip to other people, their reaction is often the question: “You can do that?” Believe it or not, the answer is “yes.” In fact, there were a wide variety of Antarctica travel opportunities. Tours vary in size, length, and content. Some ships cruise by and view the scenery (which is spectacular enough to justify a visit) and others, like the journey we took, allow passengers to disembark and step foot on the continent.

Getting to Antarctica is the tricky part. After traveling from Richmond to Buenos Aires, we flew to Ushuaia, the capital of Argentina’s Tierra Del Fuego province. From there, we boarded our cruise ship and headed into the open sea. The two-day crossing included traversing the infamous Drake Passage, a turbulent and sometimes dangerous stretch of ocean. In the old days, the Passage claimed more than 800 sailing vessels and 20,000 lives. These days, excursions sometimes turn back when conditions are difficult or plow through the massive waves while passengers struggle through motion sickness. Fortunately for us, the Drake was relatively calm, and apart from some balance issues while walking, the crossing was uneventful.

Once there, we traveled around the Antarctica Peninsula for eight days, observing from the deck, enjoying Zodiac tours, or disembarking and setting foot on the continent. While there are no words to adequately describe our voyage, I’m going to try to capture the experience.

On one of our outings, we were climbing a hill when I turned to Kathy and said, “So, on that day we met when we were nineteen years old, did you ever think ‘someday I’m going to be walking across Antarctica with this guy’?”

I’ll start with the easiest of the topics—penguins. In Antarctica, they are everywhere. On one island, their nesting grounds stretched at least a half mile into the distance. At every stop, these local residents appeared utterly unconcerned with our presence. We were instructed not to disrupt their habitat, and they blissfully walked along as we dutifully created the mandatory fifteen feet of space between us and them. Along the waterfront, groups of penguins were constantly jumping in and out of the frigid ocean. We watched males crowing into the sky to attract a mate, chicks nestled underneath their mothers, other males collecting stones to make a nest, and predatory birds trying to steal an egg or juvenile penguin. I’m not sure how to convey everything about penguins I learned, but this imaginary conversation in God’s workshop might help:

“Okay, Jill, what have we got here?”

“An aquatic bird designed to live in the coldest areas.”

“Uh huh. Sounds good. Based on what we’ve planned for the southernmost regions, I’m guessing this thing can migrate?”

“Yes. Most species will move based on season.”

“Good. Wingspan?”

“We’re thinking no flying. On average, their short, flat wings will stretch out to thirty to thirty-five inches. This will vary, giving us a range of maybe 15 to 45 inches depending on size.”

“Wait. No flying?”

“No.”

“And the wings are for?”

“Mostly swimming. They’ll act like flippers.”

“So, these things will nest in the water?”

“No, mostly on land.”

“Ooookay. I’m assuming, then, they’ll be fast on their feet?”

“Not particularly. They will rock from one foot to the other, more of a waddle than a walk. On occasion they’ll slide along on their stomach.”

“Look, Jill, I admire your work. You were phenomenal in our small mammal efforts. But I’m struggling with this.”

“I can understand your concern, but I’d ask you to focus on what they’ll do in the water. These things will swim like acrobats and look as graceful as the mammal Nancy is developing.”

“You mean the dolphin?”

“Yes, that one. These birds will dive and jump and swim at astonishing speeds, especially given the amount of fat tucked inside their pear-shaped bodies.”

“Pear shaped?”

“Uh huh.”

“And what will they eat?”

“Small fish and other aquatic animals.”

“Don’t tell me. Krill, right?”

“Yes.”

“Looking through these notebooks, it’s evident quite a few species under development will be eating those small crustaceans. Even several types of those gigantic sea mammals called whales. Are we sure we’ll have enough?”

“When I asked, Janet in food development didn’t seemed concerned at all. But I don’t want to speak for her.”

“No, no, of course not. Okay, well thanks and we’ll get back to you with any questions.”

In addition to penguins, we saw numerous seal varieties, humpback whales, and an amazing number of seabirds.

From a visual perspective, Antarctica is as striking as anything I’ve ever seen. Before our trip, the most gorgeous scenery I’d witnessed was in Alaska. I’ve also been fortunate to visit the Italian countryside and some spectacular parks in Croatia. However, for all their beauty these locations offered views, terrain, or geological features I’ve seen before, only larger, more vivid, and/or more stunning. On the other hand, Antarctica is genuinely unique. I wrote the following passages in my journal:

The snow looks like fresh-from-the-pack cotton balls, assuming some blue fibers were added during the manufacturing process. In the spaces where the rock cliffs protrude through the white carpet, the fluffy powder clings to ledges, indentations, and crevices, creating a stark contrast to the blinding white. The landscape stretches forever, climbing mountains, circling bays, and creating brilliant flat prairies. On the water, the floating pieces of ice are diamonds against the black surface, reflecting brilliant light even when the sun is hidden behind the clouds. Regardless of the weather, we need to wear sunglasses.

Icebergs float everywhere, and each one presents an individual Rorschach Test. Among the shapes I saw were the following—an Egyptian Pharaoh laying at rest, an open-mouthed raptor, a World War II battleship, a hand extending the finger you really shouldn’t extend, two dogs sitting back-to-back, and the grand entrance to a cathedral.

I could write fifty pages about the trip and not cover everything we experienced and learned. However, a few stand out—meeting Alexandra Nemeth (one of our guides and the first Hungarian to climb the seven summits), walking across the ice after our ship cut a path through the frozen water, how disgusting the penguin colonies smelled, the day our crew salvaged supplies for a research camp, watching an iceberg swing back and forth as the massive formation prepared to tip over, crossing the Antarctic circle, and doing the polar plunge into thirty degree water.

We shared the adventure with some fantastic people. Our companions were our former neighbors Sally and Bill Sylvester. We also met Mike, Leisa, Claudia, and Jeff. Our group shared dinners, sushi, and trivia together.

I’ll finish with my favorite individual moment of the trip. On one of our outings, we were climbing a hill when I turned to Kathy and said, “So, on that day we met when we were nineteen years old, did you ever think ‘someday I’m going to be walking across Antarctica with this guy’?” As you might expect, she said no. Over the years, we’ve built thousands of meaningful memories, but this trip will always stand out as truly special. I am forever grateful that, together, we reached “the top of the world at the bottom of the world.”

Steven Rogers’ award-winning novel “Into the Room” is available in paperback, on Kindle, and as an audiobook. If you’d like to order a copy, please visit Amazon or his website:  https://steven-rogers.com/

February News from Steve

We’re well into the editing process for my next book, A Year in the Room, a sequel to my award-winning novel Into the Room. I’ll post more information about the publication date as we complete the schedule.

I love to speak to community groups, church groups, writing conferences, and book clubs about my book, the writing process, and/or my faith journey. If you’re interested, please send an email to srbooksforhope@gmail.com.

Speaking of Into the Room, you can purchase paperback copies, a Kindle version, and/or the audiobook on Amazon. If you would a more personalized version, for $20 I will mail you a signed copy of the Into the Room, along with a customized inscription, anywhere in the continental United States. For additional information, email me at srbooksforhope@gmail.com. Please allow five to six days for delivery.

If you enjoy my columns and don’t want to miss one, please subscribe by filling out the “Follow Steve” block on my website: https://steven-rogers.com/.

Book of the Month

Bill Glose is a combat veteran and former paratrooper. He’s also a poet and novelist. I met Bill when his collection of short stories All the Ruined Men was the Fiction winner at the 2023 Library of Virginia Literary Awards. His book follows a group of soldiers as they acclimate to life after war. The characters struggle with unemployment, psychological trauma, the lasting physical toll left by battle, debilitating depression, and the adjustment back to everyday life.

The honesty and vulnerability of All the Ruined Men draws the reader deep into the post-war experience. The book left me in awe of the price paid by our soldiers as they perform their duty and the horrific toll their service takes on their minds and bodies. Each story is a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by our bravest citizens. Perhaps all you need to know about the book is the inscription Bill Glose used to sign my copy: “For Steve. May these stories touch your heart.” They did.

Thank you for reading!