Condon native explores Antarctica, again

Once again, Cathleen Greiner, Condon native and global traveler, has traversed the Drake Passage and traveled via helicopter and trekking to see the rare and remote Emperor Penguins on Snow Hill Island, Antarctica.

As during her last visit, she carried a current edition (in this case, the "Halloween" publication) of the Times-Journal across three continents and the Pacific, Atlantic and Southern Oceans.

"This expedition was a whole level of experience and challenge above the first trip. It was just great to see the Emperor Penguins (the largest of the 18 penguin species around the world), ride in a helicopter over giant iceshelfs that have broken off the continent and undertake the tough hike across the ice sea to view the isolated colony of adult and three-month-old baby penguins."

These penguins are those featured in the "Happy Feet" animated films, enjoyed by kids and adults alike. A window of blue-sky weather and ship-based helicopters also allowed a second visit, the first for an expedition.

For anyone interested in learning more about the Antarctic Region, research on ongoing changes, or penguins (found only in the Southern Hemisphere), search "Antarctic" or "Antarctica" (the continent) or " Snow Hill Island" on wikipedia.org.