The Overview Effect

"An Incredible Aesthetic Impact"

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 ~ Reflections of astronauts on how space travel changed their perspective:



Why do we explore? Push boundaries? Innovate?

To learn about ourselves.

What I Want For Christmas

Peace, Hope, A Better Future and ...

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 ~ ...to stretch out with my back to the sand.

Solar Around the World

Another Electric Vehicle

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 ~ If hybrid and all-electric cars and airplanes can be built, then why not a boat? Billed as the world's first solar circumnavigation by boat, the voyage of the MS Turanor PlanetSolar took almost 585 days:

The catamaran has a solar PV surface area that covers more than 530 square meters with a capacity of 93.5 kilowatts. That onboard power has been enough to lead the crew from Monaco through the Straight of Gibraltar, past Cuba, to Miami and Mexico, through the Panama Canal, across the span of the Pacific, to the eastern coast of Australia, up through Southeast Asia to Hong Kong, westward to the southern tip of India, into the Gulf of Iman, back down and into the Red Sea, where it crossed through the Suez Canal and back into the home waters of the Mediterranean.

It's a piece of nerdy coolness to power a boat from solar energy (and to give it a name from J.R.R. Tolkien) but rather impractical when another renewable energy source—wind—can be mechanically harnessed. Wind also can be converted to electricity with higher efficiency than solar. Still, it is another demonstration that our remaining enslaved to fossil fuels is no more than a choice, and a poor one at that. We could make other choices.

Boat details here.

(h/t Renewable Energy World)

Want To Get Away?

The World's Your Oyster

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 ~ Very cool web site that shows at a glance the cost of flying anywhere in the world:

The Caribbean is looking mighty nice about now...

Move

Another Cool Travelogue

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 ~ I love these things; here's another, only 1 minute long, and best yet:

Time Travel

Stop-Motion Video on the Long Trail

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 ~ I prefer the walking version, but this is exhilarating as well:



I especially like the crossing towards Seattle on the Bainbridge Ferry.

(h/t the Telegraph)

Update: Yeah, the "BRAINbridge" Ferry? I've lived here 30+ years and I flub the name? I need a brain bridge.

National Train Day

Nostalgia for the Past, or Hope for the Future?

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~ May 7 is National Train Day. Here in Portland the day was marked by festivities at Union Station, including the display of a famous steam locomotive.

The use of a vintage engine of yesteryear is appropriate, and instructive. How much better it would be to feature new technology that represented the future of rail travel, such as modern, energy-efficient trains, or even high-speed rail cars. Alas, high-speed rail in the United States, while envisioned and nominally funded, remains a distant prospect. While China and others continue to invest heavily in new rail, many in our Congressional leadership remain hostile to infrastructure, especially trains.

Our passenger rail network has shrunk over the past 40+ years:

Traveling

Planes, Boats and Automobiles

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~ On the road the next two weeks. Posting may be less regular than usual.

No, not that far. This time.

Green Tunnel

Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 5 Minutes

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A stop-motion video over 2,200 miles of trail from Georgia to Maine. Sublime and gorgeous, especially on a day of rain:



Why hike the long trail? In part:

because hiking defines freedom, adventure, peace and beauty;
because no two days are ever alike.
because the toughest executive decision out here is how much water to carry, how many miles to hike, and where to camp -
best of all, none need board approval to be put into action.
because, mercifully, there are no phones or pagers on the trail;
because some of the most awesome people I know walk trails.

Rachel & Jacob

We had a very enjoyable trip to Napa for the elegant and convivial wedding of the eldest daughter of our dear friends Amy and Paul. The ceremony and reception were held August 21 at the Culinary Institute of America at the north end of Napa Valley's scenic St. Helena.

At the Culinary Institute of America

Fortunately, the weather wasn't broiling as it can be in August, so sitting outside was both beautiful and pleasant. The reception was joyous, festive, and (as one might expect from the venue) had some of the most scrumptious and delectable food. Those Napa wines aren't too shabby either!

The couple's first dance

Congratulations to two wonderful people--Rachel and Jacob Saperstein--and to their families, especially their parents, Amy & Paul and Joan & Harry. Thanks for inviting us. Mazel tov!

Napa Valley

My wife and I are here in northern California for the wedding of the eldest daughter of close friends. The "rehearsal dinner" was this evening and it was a grand time, even though we were two of only a tiny contingent from the Pacific Northwest. The dinner was at Hurley's, in the heart of Yountville, up state highway 29 from Napa.

Proprietor Bob Hurley himself was carving the roast beast at the end of the buffet line. A very pleasant fellow with a delightful establishment serving outstanding food. We hope to be back to experience it afresh...

Shi Shi Beach

Point of the Arches as seen from Shi Shi Beach,
Olympic National Park

Despite having perhaps our wettest camping trip in 10 years or more this past week, we still had a good time. My kids and I have gone to the same place almost every year since 1996.

Shi Shi Beach is located in the Olympic National Park on Washington State's beautiful Olympic peninsula ocean coast. By some accounts it is the last true wilderness beach in the lower 48 states. It's a bit more than 3 miles of sand fronting coastal forest, and looking out at the iconic Point of the Arches, a string of sea stacks cut into natural stone arches by the ocean's erosive power. Wildlife includes the usual deer, chipmunks, gulls, hawks, and tidepool residents, but I've also seen orcas just 50 yards off shore and peregrine falcons hunting the resident gulls, and bear scat (but no bears.) Like most national parks, there are enforced restrictions at Shi Shi that prohibit pack animals, dogs, weapons, and wheeled conveyances of any kind. If you stay more than a day or two, especially in summer, expect to be visited by park rangers who will check that you have both a permit and a hard-sided bear canister to keep your food away from the wildlife. They can and do issue citations if you're caught without.

Gone Camping

I'll be at Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches with 2 of my kids through Sunday, and will return to posting on Monday.

Road Trip

I got back home this afternoon from a 3-day trip to Washington State's wine country--the Yakima Valley. My wife and I were celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary with some sun, food and wine. Of course, this required some field research!

At the Bonair Winery near Zillah, WA

There are dozens of wineries and tasting rooms between Yakima and the Tri-Cities, so there was time to visit only a few. Some of our favorites are the Barnard-Griffin near Richland (check out the Syrah Port), the Hyatt in Zillah (try the amusingly named Zillah Gorilla Zinfandel) and the Bonair, also in Zillah (maker of a scrumptiously buttery Chardonnay.)

On the drive home we saw several trucks carrying wind turbine parts to a new installation west of Ellensburg. It was visible from I-90 along the first ridge north of the highway. Only one crane was visible:

Wind farm under construction west of Ellensburg, WA

Mount Stewart dominates the range in the distance. One of the most beautiful hiking areas in the Northwest, the Enchantment Lakes, lies just beyond. We need to go back since it's been ten years since we were last there, and the beauty of the larches turning gold in September is worth the length and steepness of the trail.

In the meantime, however, I'm catching up on my reading, and enjoying meeting with friends and colleagues in Seattle and on the Eastside. Soon enough I'll be hard at work again, but for now let's grab coffee...