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Showing posts from October 6, 2019

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...
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Angie and did some more exploring in CA this weekend. We ventured up into LA county with the S2K. I had some fun with the car turning around in a traffic jam. The car has a great power to weight ratio and delightful oversteer. It can do a 180 turn from a dead stop quite dramatically when you are inclined to merge with traffic. Smoke was involved.
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I was up in San Francisco earlier this week. I participated in SDL Connect again. I have been a few times both in the US and in Europe. I usually speak, I was on a panel this time. I had a few nice experiences on the airplane up and back including flying on a brand new A220. It was the flight attendants first time as well. Also leaving SF, the "fleet week" airshow going on -- look closely and you can see the smoke from the performing planes.
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We are back from a quick trip in Duluth (Georgia). We were busy and didn't take many photos. We accomplished much in three days and most of it had to do with fellow humans, not stuff. My flying club is doing great. My partners are great guys. I enjoy spending time with them. We have 4 planes now. "My" plane (N733NXE) now has more avionics and an autopilot. I did my bi-annual flight review, I am good! It was great to be in the air. I am looking for a flying club in Cali; I am saving the challenges of John Wayne airport for later. Otherwise, I got to see friends and my Brother. It felt great. I even enjoyed catching up with my Barber. Jaws dropped when I walked in there. My Brother is off with my truck and sawmill to Maine. The group photo represents Russia, France, US and Denmark. Great to see folks.