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Showing posts from January 16, 2005

Wyoming and Idaho

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We are back from a quick vacation. I managed to score three (actually several more) bucket list items in 4 days. 1.) Long Snowmobile Trip. 2.) Yellowstone Park and 3.) Wyoming. I reached my 50th State --Wyoming! And we took a 90 mile snowmobile trip in Yellowstone National Park. We went to the "Craters of the Moon--National Monument and Preserve" in Idaho and also stopped at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) where I got to see (with my own eyes) the very cool nuclear powered twin turbojet engine. It was a successful experiment in the 1950s and 1960s. https://whatisnuclear.com/safety-minutes/htre-3-meltdown.html Of course, I had my Radiacode scintillation detector with me and yes, the apparatus is "Hot". The screenshot of the readings from my three walk-arounds the artifact. I swear you could smell the radiation. There was a very un-natural burnt smell something reminiscent of burned bakelite. Although, I am quite certain the emitted radition was not the source...
I went to my first County planning board meeting last night. I think I will enjoy working with these folks. My Brother's mother in law) passed away this week, Sally. Rest in Peace.
It is 10 below zero this evening. it is beautiful outside as you look at the stars and the far off view of the city and its vapor. I have fashioned a muffin fan on the intake of the coal stove to boost heat output. We have to be careful not to overheat the stove and cause warping of the critical pieces. I will be making a more permanent system with feedback (of course) at some point. I heard an inspirational speech at toastmasters today. That is what has kept me going with the organization. I like that. Growth. We don't know where growth takes us. Picture yourself on the end of a sapling. We are warm and the diesel is plugged in.