To the North Pole

In 1893 Fridtjof Nansen set out on an expedition to reach the north pole. His plan was unique; after studying arctic currents, he decided to intentionally get a boat icebound where it would then get carried by the ocean currents to the pole. He had a boat, the Fram, specially built to withstand the pressures of the ice and the cold. 

They spent a long time in the ice pack but eventually determined that they would not drift to the pole. In 1895, after reaching as far north as they thought the ship would, Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen decided they would try to reach the pole on skis. They fell short (by about 170 miles), but at the time it was the farthest north reached to date. 

Because the ship was drifting and would be hard to locate, the two proceeded to Franz Josef Land. It was a long trek south, and they had to build a cabin to winter in. Eventually they encountered another polar expedition and were taken the others' base camp.

Meanwhile the Fram continued to drift for months, eventually clearing the ice pack and making it to Spitsbergen where they encountered yet another polar explorer -- this one trying to reach the north pole via balloon. 

Remarkably there were no casualties during the years long expedition. It was judged a success, even though it fell short of the pole.  The Fram is now a museum ship.

 

Paintings of cows

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Technically speaking, the title of this post should be paintings of cattle since bulls and water buffaloes are included. Regardless, in spite of any distress it may cause pedants, I'm sticking with cows. 

In general, to me cows seem to be one of the more dimwitted of nature's creations. All they do is stand around fields eating grass, although they do have the saving grace of providing us with steaks, hamburger, milk, and leather. So, there is that.

Still, some people seem to be fond of the grazing lunkheads, so for those misguided souls I present these pictures.

Magic Bus

Get ready for a jitneyized weekend with Raised On Vinyl.

 

Nutcrackers

No, this post isn't about Tchaikovsky's ballet, nor is it about young ladies that majored in 'Womyn's Studies' at one of our fine universities, rather it is about the decorative Christmas nutcracker that is ubiquitous during the holidays.  

The above video gives a historical overview of its evolution from a tool for cracking nuts to its current form as a colorful staple of Christmas decor. Below is a video of a German factory that produces them.

 

Day of Infamy

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On this anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor I offer a small collection of paintings picturing the event.

YESTERDAY, December 7, 1941 a date which will live in infamy the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

-- Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

Move On

Get ready for an affranchising weekend with Samu.

 

Walking in Hanga Roa

This is a walk through Hanga Roa, the main town on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). The town, such as it is, is small, but very well-tended and attractive. The walk starts in a residential area, works its way down to the coast, and then returns. The island is very touristy, with snorkeling, and of course the giant Moai heads, being the primary attraction. Easter island has had troubles with Chinese fishing fleets illegally denuding their waters which has required Chilean coastguard intervention.