Tenting out

Gentoos next to my tent in the backyard. The glacier is across the harbor.

A few weeks ago, I finally got my tent set up. It's been snowing much more this year than last, and just to get down to hard ground, I dug a four-foot deep pit into the snow. I let that melt more for another week or so before setting up the tent. But when I finally did, it was a beautiful evening.

It's peaceful out in the backyard. The hum-drum of the station can't be heard and all I hear is nature around me. A ten minute walk and I'm out in the cool fresh air. The waves crash on the rocks below, penguins make their calls all around my tent, and the glacier booms once in a while as it calves across the harbor.

Waking up to go to work is much nicer when I start my morning in the brisk air of the backyard.