The big day had finally arrived. Linda and I were going to set foot on Antarctica itself. The culmination of a life’s dream and ambition to visit all 7 continents of the earth. All morning long the Captain cautiously navigated our ship through the dense sea and pack ice, at one time making contact with a small iceberg. An exciting event to say the least as it hit the ship and scraped down it’s length, collecting paint to show where it made contact. Onboard the ship the air was electric with anticipation as we stood on the forward observation deck with our fellow adventurers watching the land mass grow closer. Linda and I were in the third grouping to disembark and it was a supreme effort on both of our parts to be patient as we impatiently waited for our turn to board the zodiac that would take us ashore. As we each disembarked and set foot on the continent the palpable anxious energy became an all encompassing blissful joy radiating from all who were on shore. Here at Brown Bluff we were appropriately greeted by Antarctica with some nice snow flurries while we observed an Adelie penguin colony. Our second destination of the day, Paulet Island was canceled due to excessive sea ice blocking access. As an alternative activity a polar plunge was scheduled. The water was a balmy 29 degrees, not quite cold enough for Linda and myself so we abstained.