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[[preprinted]] 13 [[/preprinted]]

After lunch we took pictures of husky's lined up on ice; of packed dog sleds & of a husky giving birth to pups --- a rare sight. Walked back until we got another lift to McMurdo. 

At dinner I was invited to join Ackley ^& Austin Kovacks, of CRELL, to ride a tractor to Castle Rock. Ackley measures ice layer profiles by echo sounding & has a drill hole out there. As we crept from  McMurdo radio contact asked our plans -- then we rode N toward Erebus. I was thrilled w the scene & the knowledge of being in Antarctica. Castle rock, a chesnut plug, stands up in front of Erebus -- from that side. The plume on Erebus is ever-present & shifting, a fascinating sight. After stopping at drill hole we drove to edge of cliff facing ice shelf and looked at cinders coated w Lichens. (golden & white) and mosses (?) olive green.

Return trip due S. facing the sun. 

Dec. 14 Thurs.

Spent much time composing message to Annexstad to ^[[send]] out to him by helicopter & get return message same day. Cassidy dropped by v. briefly in AM -- said he plans to close out Darwin search & move us directly to Allan Hills -- either w John or in other site. Meanwhile - Gisela had been asked to go out & recon w him on the 22 & she wondered if she still would go -- preferably on the 22nd. We drafted 2 versions -- changing them as new ideas & info arose.  

I also spent some time writing cards. In the evening ~9:00 Susan - Peter - Steve & I went to officer's club for a goodbye party to Susan & Peter. The VIPs were all present. Suddenly a huge ugly-looking gorilla leaped into room & leaned over me to grab Susan. We screamed & carried on as fitted; she actually was frightened at 1st & bolted across room. There was much chasing & photographing. The ape finally attacked me and then lay his hand on Ed Todd's bald head.

Meanwhile Mr. Hoaglund of NSF had taken fancy to Susan & came to sit & flirt. She was pleasant & charming to him for ~ half an hour. Then simply got up. moved to another seat, lit cigarette, & start conversing w a colleague. I never saw it so well handled. Hoaglund got the