Wednesday, March 28, 2007

A Healthy Cup of...Coffee?



It has many names, Joe, Java, Mud, Sludge, Rocket Fuel, Leaded, Unleaded (Decaf), Brew, Motor Oil, Tar and Murk, to name a few.

It comes in many varieties such as Colombian, French Roast, Sumatra, Italian Roast and Breakfast Blend.

It constitutes the base ingredient in many drinks: mochas, cappuccinos, lattes, machiattos, frappaccinos and Americanos.

It, is none other than that drink we love to hate and hate to love: COFFEE! It has been much maligned by health nuts and medical studies, at least, until lately. When was the last time you considered coffee to be a health drink? Take a look at these findings:

• Coffee is good for the liver
• It helps prevent Type 2 diabetes
• It can reduce the likelihood of asthma attacks
• It is a good source of antioxidants
• Coffee is NOT a source of dehydration
• It lowers the risk of heart disease
• It may lower the risk of breast cancer in women

These are just of the few findings that have come to light about that cup of sable elixer that we so often enjoy in the mornings. So, no more guilty conscience! Fire up the ole coffee pot and let's have a cup!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Presidents' Day Weekend - Part 15


Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Presidents' Day Weekend - Part 14


Monday, March 19, 2007

Presidents' Day Weekend - Part 13

After flying, we headed downtown to see the southernmost point in the continental U.S. Along the way we saw some interesting sights.

This little beauty was sittin' pretty on the walk to the point

Birds of a feather...or not!

Interesting picture...at least I thought so

At the point

Scenery

Another "Derek" shot

Friday, March 16, 2007

Fire in a March Sky

After flying this afternoon, I got back to the house and parked the car. I looked back over to the west and saw this sunset!

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Broadcast...

While I will return to posting more pics from the trip to Key West, I wanted to put up a post that is hot off the press. I got a call today from my Air Force buddy Eric to see if I wanted to go flying tomorrow. I told him that I couldn't because I was scheduled to work. At that, he said he would look at the airplane schedule and see what was available today. To make a long story short, I agreed to meet him at the Logan airport around 5:30pm.

Here is Eric arriving in Cessna N65755 after crossing into Cache Valley from Brigham City.
Descending to the runway...
Nice attitude!
My pilot buddy!

Scanning the instruments while at the runup area.

Taking the active, Runway 35.

Watch the ground fall away...well, "fall away" is a relative term considering it is a 172 with two heavyweights in it and a relatively high density altitude...

A view to the east

We did some turns and practice out near Preston, ID. Eric walked me through some basic coordinated turns both left and right. My practice with the flight simulator on my computer has paid off in reading the instruments and more quickly ascertaining what the airplane is doing. What an afternoon! Thanks Eric!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Presidents' Day Weekend - Part 12

After breakfast, we drove over to the airport, as I stated in the previous post. We had heard there might be a couple of neat airplanes there that we could photograph. We dinked around a little, looking over the fence, and then went into the Key West Seaplanes' office to see if they knew anything about the airplanes. They didn't, but recommended that we check with the folks that flew the Waco biplane. They might know more. They sure did! The gal took us out on the ramp to take pictures of this airplane (and their Waco).

This is the rare Stearman that drew us to the airport (as if we needed any draw!)

The Waco looked really good for an aircraft that was built in the 1940's...but then again, most any airplane with a round engine is beautiful, no?

After a brief bit of "discussing" the price, we got a good deal and I found myself following Eric into the forward cockpit of the Waco. It was extremely cozy, but we didn't really notice that much.

The pilot climbed in and soon the old radial was singing its throaty song. Eric and I glanced at each other with huge grins when several puffs of exhaust drifted past us. Now this was living!

We taxied lazily down the taxiway in gentle S-turns, letting the radial warm up. Rows of general aviation "spam-cans" were haughtily gloated at as we taxied by in a "real" airplane.

When we got clearance, we turned onto the runway and as the pilot eased the throttle forward, the loping sound of the engine turned to a rumbling growl and then a clattering roar as we lifted off and climbed out to the east.

The pilot banked the aircraft into a right-hand turn to the south. Past the nose stretched the pale blue-green waters of the Atlantic.

Our turn completed, the pilot leveled the aircraft and we headed back to the west, past the airport and towards Mallory Square and the docks.

The biggest problem with taking pictures out of a biplane soon became quite apparent. There are struts and bracing wire everywhere. I think I have more pictures of fittings and unions than I do of scenery ;-)

Looking towards the east/northeast we could see a couple of cruise ships that had come in earlier that morning. There the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet those of the Atlantic...at least so it seemed to us.

After making another right-hand turn, we headed up parallel to the cruise ships. What a beautiful day! What beautiful sights! What a beautiful ride!

Carefully holding my camera out in the slipstream and propwash, I took a shot straight down. It turned out better than I had hoped.

After a little more sightseeing, our nickles began to run out, so the pilot headed back towards the airport.

Soon we were on final to the runway. There was a bit of a crosswind. Notice how the pilot has angled the airplane towards the wind and how the nose of the aircraft doesn't line up with the runway.

After a great landing, the pilot taxied back to the parking spot. Soon the wooden propeller slowed to a standstill and the loping engine cut off into silence. What a ride!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Presidents' Day Weekend - Part 11

Monday morning, Presidents' Day, dawned bright and clear. We started out by visiting a little breakfast buffet that was tucked away, off of one of the main drags into town. It was quite a quaint little place and warranted a couple of visits and some photos. Here are three pics of the eating area and a little path that took off towards the adjoining hotel. After breakfast we headed off to the airport to see what adventures awaited us...little did we realize we would soon be flying!

Monday, March 12, 2007

Presidents' Day Weekend - Part 10

After eating at Kelly's, we walked a few blocks and found a Blond Giraffe that was just about to close. We quickly went in and got some keylime pie to finish off the evening. Here Eric and Steve are modeling the "keylime pie on a stick" for us.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Number of Posts and Clocks

If any of you are interested, here is where the number of posts are displayed in your post manager. I've circled them in red to show you the number of posts on my different blogs.


Also, I hope nobody forgot to set their clocks ahead. If I hadn't been reminded, I would probably have missed Sunday school like I did last year! I did kind of question myself when I climbed into the car and it read 8:55 rather than the 9:55 that it should have been...