The Azores seem like they would be a nice place to visit, really. See I wouldn't know since we spent our few hours there stuck on the Air Force base.
They definitely made my list of top vacation spots though.
I've made it back home and I'm almost over the jetlag too.
Pictures should be coming soon. Stay tuned
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Friday, September 15, 2006
Philip Parker, World Traveler
Well we're coming home. Not straight home though because that would be too easy. Instead we're stopping off in the Azores before going all the way back to Grand Forks. Given the choice of a night in Grand Forks or one in the Azores guess which one I'd pick.
I should be back in the great metropolis of Huntsville on the afternoon of the 18th if all goes well.
-philip
I should be back in the great metropolis of Huntsville on the afternoon of the 18th if all goes well.
-philip
Monday, September 11, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Brown + Blue = Green
One of the peculiar things about the Riu Funana is the way in which they maintain their little oasis on this desert isle. In the mornings, since we have to be up near the crack of dawn to go do Science!, we are often having breakfast when they are watering the plants. The process is entirely automated as one might expect, with nice ground level drip hoses and a few sprinklers here and there. Nothing out of the ordinary really except for the water they use. You see, it is very apparent when the watering begins because a peculiarly familiar and unpleasant odor begins to creep into the nostrils, snaking it's way slowly into the barely functioning conscious mind. It takes a few minutes some mornings and on others it simply leaps from the palms, aloe, and creeping succulents like an angry Cottonmouth, striking without warning and poisoning the victim with all its might.
You see at the Riu Funana they are very resourceful. Water is a precious commodity on this rock. All of it that is intended for consumption is produced via desalinization, an expensive process. So, to get the most out of what they purchase the Riu Funana uses waste water to feed the plants. While unpleasant for us reluctant creatures of the morning, the plants are luscious, full, and vibrant. The Vinca are very large and flower constantly. I've literally seen the palm trees grow an inch in the space of one breakfast. Not only are they getting double duty from the water but all the money put into the various buffets is paying dividends in the end as well.
So while it may be unpleasant for the few of us who are up early enough to experience it, their brilliant water management strategy rewards the average tourist with dobs of green to go with the blue of the sky and the brown of the sand, even allowing for the occasional dollup of pink or purple from a flower to paint a rather nice picture.
-philip
You see at the Riu Funana they are very resourceful. Water is a precious commodity on this rock. All of it that is intended for consumption is produced via desalinization, an expensive process. So, to get the most out of what they purchase the Riu Funana uses waste water to feed the plants. While unpleasant for us reluctant creatures of the morning, the plants are luscious, full, and vibrant. The Vinca are very large and flower constantly. I've literally seen the palm trees grow an inch in the space of one breakfast. Not only are they getting double duty from the water but all the money put into the various buffets is paying dividends in the end as well.
So while it may be unpleasant for the few of us who are up early enough to experience it, their brilliant water management strategy rewards the average tourist with dobs of green to go with the blue of the sky and the brown of the sand, even allowing for the occasional dollup of pink or purple from a flower to paint a rather nice picture.
-philip
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Saharan Dust
Take while flying over Africa. Only minutes before you could see all the way to the ground. This stuff gets sucked into the tropical waves that come off the coast to the south and does wacky things. That's why we're here with a plane full of scientists, so... 
Mi hablo bonito uno dia
Another day off and so another two dives!
This time we went down to around 30 meters, sorry for those metrically challenged back in the homeland but I've had to convert to stay sane. Unfortunately the visibility was not that great and there weren't a lot of fish at the first spot. The second dive was much better. We descended upon Tres Grutas (Three Caves) and found many more fish and much better visibility. The eels were out in force as well; we saw all three species in about the first 10 minutes of the dive. The Tres Grutas weren't so much caves as larger rock shelves. They were big enough to fit two or three divers in without a problem. There were also a large number of trumpet fish hanging out at the top of the overhang. The effect was like waving grass, only upside down. Very cool.
Then we continued on to two other sites that were really close and managed a close encounter with a lobster. I have some good pictures of it.
In the evening Thomas (my German dive buddy) and I went into Santa Maria to May O'Leary's for drinks and music. The band was fanstastic! Some of the local songs were nice but when they tore into a few Santana covers the lead guitarist really opened up and brought down the house. So, it was a pretty early morning especially since we have an eight hour mission today but at least I have had my obligatory party-hangover out of the way now. It was definitely worth it.
I'm really starting to get homesick now. I'm still enjoying myself but I can't wait to get back.
-philip
P.S. The title for the post was inspired by my broken Spangluguese and Thomas making fun of me by quoting David Sedaris. Pompass Eurotrash!
This time we went down to around 30 meters, sorry for those metrically challenged back in the homeland but I've had to convert to stay sane. Unfortunately the visibility was not that great and there weren't a lot of fish at the first spot. The second dive was much better. We descended upon Tres Grutas (Three Caves) and found many more fish and much better visibility. The eels were out in force as well; we saw all three species in about the first 10 minutes of the dive. The Tres Grutas weren't so much caves as larger rock shelves. They were big enough to fit two or three divers in without a problem. There were also a large number of trumpet fish hanging out at the top of the overhang. The effect was like waving grass, only upside down. Very cool.
Then we continued on to two other sites that were really close and managed a close encounter with a lobster. I have some good pictures of it.
In the evening Thomas (my German dive buddy) and I went into Santa Maria to May O'Leary's for drinks and music. The band was fanstastic! Some of the local songs were nice but when they tore into a few Santana covers the lead guitarist really opened up and brought down the house. So, it was a pretty early morning especially since we have an eight hour mission today but at least I have had my obligatory party-hangover out of the way now. It was definitely worth it.
I'm really starting to get homesick now. I'm still enjoying myself but I can't wait to get back.
-philip
P.S. The title for the post was inspired by my broken Spangluguese and Thomas making fun of me by quoting David Sedaris. Pompass Eurotrash!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Soggy Bottom Boy
Greetings again mein freunds. Thanks to all who sent e-missives from the homeland to keep me company here on Sal.
Naturally just after I post about working non-stop we promptly received a Hard-down followed by a No-Fly, which meant two days off in a row. This of course meant that I was heading to the Scuba shop. In total I was able to get 3 dives in on Monday and 2 yesterday.
Since I'm not feeling particularly eloquent this morning and since I don't have much time since we are flying in a few hours I'll sum up what I saw.
Flying Fish, HUGE Puffer fish, HUGE (4-5 long) Trumpet Fish, Several varieties of Moray Eels, a Stingray, several Parrot Fish, a Lobster, many other random Fishes.
I dove with a very pleasant German fellow named Thomas both days. I finally got some nice conversation that wasn't about work at any point and that wasn't with an American! w00t.
Alas that is as much as my brain can process at the moment. Perhaps the flight will be relatively uneventful and I will have time to compose more about the dives then.
Ate Logo!
Naturally just after I post about working non-stop we promptly received a Hard-down followed by a No-Fly, which meant two days off in a row. This of course meant that I was heading to the Scuba shop. In total I was able to get 3 dives in on Monday and 2 yesterday.
Since I'm not feeling particularly eloquent this morning and since I don't have much time since we are flying in a few hours I'll sum up what I saw.
Flying Fish, HUGE Puffer fish, HUGE (4-5 long) Trumpet Fish, Several varieties of Moray Eels, a Stingray, several Parrot Fish, a Lobster, many other random Fishes.
I dove with a very pleasant German fellow named Thomas both days. I finally got some nice conversation that wasn't about work at any point and that wasn't with an American! w00t.
Alas that is as much as my brain can process at the moment. Perhaps the flight will be relatively uneventful and I will have time to compose more about the dives then.
Ate Logo!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Friends, Romans, Cabo Verdeans...
Lend me your fingers!
Send me electronic missives with tales from the homeland! Home-sickness is creeping up as we fly day after day. I'd love to post more impressions and stories of Cape Verde but the sad truth is that for the past few days the only things that I've seen are the Hotel Compound and the airport. No non-work fun has really been had this week. We might get this afternoon off in which case I plan to go snorkeling or diving and so I might have a report in another day or two.
One interesting note from Friday's flight. We flew in close formation with a British jet for about 30 minutes. I have some great pictures of them right off our wing. If and when we get better internet access I'll post some of them for your viewing pleasure.
So seriously folks, send me stories about hockey, football, gaming, or just what you had for breakfast. I feel like a soldier in the trenches waiting for the mail bag to bring me stories about my dog.
-philip
Send me electronic missives with tales from the homeland! Home-sickness is creeping up as we fly day after day. I'd love to post more impressions and stories of Cape Verde but the sad truth is that for the past few days the only things that I've seen are the Hotel Compound and the airport. No non-work fun has really been had this week. We might get this afternoon off in which case I plan to go snorkeling or diving and so I might have a report in another day or two.
One interesting note from Friday's flight. We flew in close formation with a British jet for about 30 minutes. I have some great pictures of them right off our wing. If and when we get better internet access I'll post some of them for your viewing pleasure.
So seriously folks, send me stories about hockey, football, gaming, or just what you had for breakfast. I feel like a soldier in the trenches waiting for the mail bag to bring me stories about my dog.
-philip
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Fly, fly, burn, burn...
Field campaigns are odd beasts. You get sent to a very nice place with plenty of things to see and do and then are expected to put in 12+ hour days full of meetings and long flights on a cold plane THROUGH tropical clouds. Things get bumpy very often and the odd part of it all is that it's on purpose.
And then you get two consecutive days off...
It's an orgy of activity with everyone asking everyone else what their plans are and making suggestions. Snorkling, hiking, surfing, sleeping; everyone is doing something or going somewhere.
As a brief aside, SPF 30 can barely contain the tropical sun. Now back to the main narrative.
I tried to surf for the first time yesterday. The waves weren't really big enough and so the most I could manage was a brief belly ride. I'll definitely try again before I leave. Even that briefest hint of a belly ride was enough to provide an idea of what a real ride would be like, which is to say a huge rush.
The internet connection at our offices is still slow and expensive so I'm not able to get pictures out yet. I will if that changes but I'm not holding my breath waiting.
We fly again today at 11:00 GMT-1, which would be 7:00 CST so those of you who see this should check out the link in the last post to see where we are in the world.
-philip
And then you get two consecutive days off...
It's an orgy of activity with everyone asking everyone else what their plans are and making suggestions. Snorkling, hiking, surfing, sleeping; everyone is doing something or going somewhere.
As a brief aside, SPF 30 can barely contain the tropical sun. Now back to the main narrative.
I tried to surf for the first time yesterday. The waves weren't really big enough and so the most I could manage was a brief belly ride. I'll definitely try again before I leave. Even that briefest hint of a belly ride was enough to provide an idea of what a real ride would be like, which is to say a huge rush.
The internet connection at our offices is still slow and expensive so I'm not able to get pictures out yet. I will if that changes but I'm not holding my breath waiting.
We fly again today at 11:00 GMT-1, which would be 7:00 CST so those of you who see this should check out the link in the last post to see where we are in the world.
-philip
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Oi d' Cabo Verde
Howdy from Caape Verde! I'd love to get some pictures up but I haven't really had a chance to take any since I've been working almost non-stop. We just got the internet working at our airport offices and the upload speed is very slow so even once I take some pictures I might not be able to post many until I return.
I have to keep this brief as we are about to go flying but I just wanted to let everyone know that I am safe and having a pretty good time. I'll report more when I get a day or two off. Hopefully I will have something to talk about then other than work.
For those so inclined you can follow each flight in Google Earth by loading the following link:
http://branch.nsstc.nasa.gov/NAMMA/namma.kml
You'll want to look for the DC-8 flight track and then the 15 minute version.
Enjoy!
I have to keep this brief as we are about to go flying but I just wanted to let everyone know that I am safe and having a pretty good time. I'll report more when I get a day or two off. Hopefully I will have something to talk about then other than work.
For those so inclined you can follow each flight in Google Earth by loading the following link:
http://branch.nsstc.nasa.gov/NAMMA/namma.kml
You'll want to look for the DC-8 flight track and then the 15 minute version.
Enjoy!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Observe this!
I'm pretty sure that watching the stars from this observatory is an exercise in futility. The underwater version of tilting at windmills perhaps.
Recon!
Apparently the F-4 was a reconnaissance jet. The 106th is an Air National Guard unit based out of Birmingham. Their nickname is the "Recce Rebels".
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Sunday, May 28, 2006
See previous post
Here's where the trail actually goes. Kevy was circumventing this pool in the previous picture. Crafty bugger...
Make your own trail!
As it had rained quite a bit prior to our arrival, we often had to search for the best path across some of the streams.
What counts as a person?
Here we see Adventure Outfit Nolin as he prepares to cross a raging torrent on a hastily constructed bridge. The natives were kind enough to install a warning sign. Does a pack count as a person?
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Flox this!
This lovely batch of flox is a nice surprise as I was just admiring such plants at Bennett's recently.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Boxed OUT!
No more boxwoods! The Dusty Miller is being used as a place holder until more suitable plants are found. The little green gem on the end is a variety of bee balm that should get 3 to 4 feet high with bright red blooms.
Full Frontal Gardening
Here's the front after just an hour or so of labor. The boxwoods were moved to the rear near the deck. The stones are to be more permanently set to create a bed in front of the porch. Two new hanging baskets are also present, thanks to my lovely gardener in crime, Becky
The Plan.
Here's a good context shot of the new herbs. To the left of the herbs, in the open space between the deck and the fence might go a butterfly bush. To the right where the irises are currently is the direction in which the herbage will expand.
Herbs Galore.
Welcome to the new herb garden at Casa de Double P. It contains Italian Parsley, sage, rosemary, sweet basil, onion chives, cilantro, and lavendar. Over time this bed will be expanded, stage right, and will have more herbs and some florals.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
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