Scooter Finds Fellowship at the Hudson Institute

But that's not what's always given this first-of-the-new-year jaunt a Loop Five-Star rating. It's because the "working" sessions traditionally end before lunch, most at 11:30 a.m., especially Wednesdays, so there's time to change for the golf tournament from 12:30 to 6 p.m.

There's some talk on the Hill that prior attendees -- lawmakers, aides and executive-branch folks -- are getting uneasy this time. Some who've gone before on the taxpayer dime have opted to pay their way this time.

Transportation Department Inspector General Kenneth M. Mead , for example, who has attended in prior years on the department's dime, is using miles and his own dollars. Not that Mead doesn't think it would be legit to go via taxpayer funds, but we hear he wanted to go the extra mile in light of "circumstances." Mead, who doesn't play golf or tennis and actually finds policy chatter interesting, is also staying on in Hawaii to check in with old friends.

Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the subcommittee on aviation, has attended before at Transportation and Infrastructure Committee expense and doesn't go on privately sponsored trips. This time he is picking up the tab himself.

March to the Penguins

Perhaps the best Codel, however, has already departed. This one was led by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), with Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and John E. Sununu (R-N.H.) going along.

The hardy travelers -- no spouses, just a few lucky aides -- are on a 10-day trip to the Antarctic region "to observe research regarding climate and atmosphere in Antarctica and New Zealand," according to a news release.

This observation will require them to visit the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, take a "helicopter tour of the Dry Valleys and Lake Hoare, and . . . fly along the Antarctic ice edge."

In New Zealand, they'll "observe Canterbury Plains, Rakaia Gorge, and numerous glaciers from the air," we're told, and talk with lots of experts.

Wait a minute! No penguins? Ah, yes, the release was not meant to be comprehensive. Of course there'll be a stop at the penguin research area.