ASSIGNMENT-VOLCANO

THE RING OF FIRE
We are currently exploring the wonders
of Lassen Volcanic National Park and environs
in Northern California at the lower
end of the Cascade Range.
I'll post more in a few days.
In the meantime-memories of
an earlier assignment-
MT. REDOUBT ALASKA

Photo R. Clucas USGS April 21 1990

    The image above is from one of five eruptions of Mt Redoubt since 1900.

I flew to the volcano while producing a documentary and it was an extraordinary and memorable trip.

    I shot this from the helicopter as we began a series of fly around landings on the explosive mountain.  If you look carefully you can see ash on the slope and particularly on the canyon wall in the lower right half of the shot.

     Redoubt is one of the active "ring of fire" volcanoes in the Chigmit Range, a 

       sub range in the Aleutian Range.  Redoubt is across the Cook Inlet from Anchorage

     so part of the adventure is flying across the inlet-one of the most changeable and storm ridden bodies of water on the planet.

       A survival suit is required as you fly.  Helicopters have gone down in the Cook Inlet and the suit can provide a few minutes of survival in the icy waters. Getting over the inlet offers a superb view of the chain of volcanoes in the Chigmit Range as well as the large bay. It was a 45 minute flight into headwinds.

      We were flying with a USGS geologist who would be setting and reading GPS and other measurement gear, designed to study the relationship between magma flow-the stuff of volcano explosions and plate tectonics, the movement and shifting of the earth.

  Our mission was to make several landings on the volcano, cross hatching our way to higher elevations.  The summit of Redoubt is a little over 10,190 feet.  On the way up we watched for sudden storms and wind. Some of the landing sites were a bit tricky.

       Cliff, our pilot was a combat vet and was said to be one of the best for flying
in the tricky conditions of our assignment.  He was able to take us through canyons, over valleys and rocky peaks and onto ledges and shelves.

      In the back of my mind was the 1989 incident when a KLM 747 was suddenly engulfed in cloud of volcanic ash.  It snuffed the engines and only extraordinary skills by the pilot prevented a disaster.  That ash eruption blanketed a 7,700 square mile area.  Some ash eruptions shut down the Anchorage airport, miles away across the Cook Inlet.  Redoubt is not the only volcano in the area known for blowing.  As we flew we could see the neighboring Ilimana smoking away.

      Icy peaks served as mountain footmen to the peak of Redoubt, shining in the sun.

       As we continued to fly we gained on the summit of Redoubt.  A couple of times we landed on snow fields.

Here you see photographer Jung Park work with the USGS Volcanologist Jeff Freymueller who could scramble across rocky ledges like a mountain goat.

One of the landings gave Jung a chance to capture a shot me.

I was the "second camera" on the shoot and I like this scene of "a good day in the office."

Despite being at high altitude in a mass of ice, snow and granite,

it was surprisingly warm. There was blue sky and sunshine.

And the inner core was probably heated by the thrill of it.

See you down the trail.

GOOD BYE TO A SWEET GAL

ZIGGY

Ziggy departed this world Saturday, surrounded

by those of us who loved her.

Apparently her kidneys began to fail her and 

that is what prompted the decline.

As a friend commented earlier,

black cats are very special. Ziggy was that indeed.

Shy around new people, she loved to get under or behind

things. She was extraordinarily affectionate and

just seemed to define mellow.

She loved to roll on her back and to have

her stomach rubbed.

After more than 15 years, a move across 

country with us, she was a family member.

Her final rest is a spot where she loved to 

lay in the sun and watch deer, turkeys and gophers but

mostly just to be mellow and watch the world go round.

Ziggy-one sweet gal.

See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) AMAZING OPTICS

JUST A WEE BIT MIND BLOWING

Thanks to friends and this wonderful

cyber community ethos of sharing

here are a couple of fun links to 

enjoy this weekend.

First-Science Fiction becomes fact

3D Printing!

And then a visual scan that is, well, a little intimidating. Link here and spend some time zooming around this photograph.

This may give you a different sense about privacy eh?

See you down the trail.

TO BOLDLY GO....

THE BRIDGE TO WHERE?

I'm sad to see the last shuttle mission. Though it is not a universally popular idea, 

I'm an advocate for space exploration, manned as well as by our efficient

computers and robots.  While the high technology platforms can take us deeper into the 

far reaches of space and thus our own cosmic history, there is something valiant given to 

the human spirit, when we think and operate in terms of putting men and women

into space. I appreciate we can not simply massage the human ego by the

romantic endeavor of "boldly going where....." etc, especially with budgets being 

what they are.  But we all gain when as humans we look toward the stars and

design ideas, concepts, practicalities and journeys into the great mystery.

I hope future administrations and political leadership will understand it is 

better to spend on science and discovery than on war and carnage.

How does human life advance with out

understanding or seeking and questing in ways that challenge

the finite boundaries of our human rationality?

I believe in the bridge building of research and exploration.

Other wise it is a long decline into night.

CONTENTMENT AT THE SHORE

A HAPPY MEMORY

As our black Ziggy cat continues to fail,

it is therapeutic to see her well. 

See you down the trail.

SAFE FROM THE DEER

LUCKY BLOOMS

      Frequent readers know of our travail with the over populated and savage deer in the
area.  In the post, linked above, you will recall I was worried about maintaining the Lily of the Nile and Orchid Cactus blooms.  Well, so far they've made it and here they are.

       Last time, the blooms were rapidly consumed as a deer appetizer. So far, so good!

       I hope you enjoy seeing these shots of exquisite nature.  I am grateful for the opportunity to the spend the time capturing the images and being so close to such stunning and intricate beauty.

       See you down the trail.

THE CUBA FILE-STREET SCENES

MAKING DUE

       There is a great shot everywhere you look in Havana. The setting and action of 

this frame captures the rich Latin blend of life in Cuba.  An old car, set against a decaying old colonial era edifice is the object of what is true determination, creativity and genius.

Think of the challenge of maintaining a relic, without benefit of parts, imports, or service centers. Improvising and making due is what they do.

        The street entreprenuer above is taking apart and refilling old lighters with bug spray. His business was brisk.

        Make shift rehearsal areas abound, as does the great Cuban jazz.  I was surprised
by the number of musicians spotted around neighborhoods jamming away.

       Look at the age of this car, that serves in this moment as a music stand.  These 
guys were incredible.  

       When much of the world has gone wireless, the majority of Cubans rely on clearly
antiquated phone systems.

       Cubans play great baseball.  Not unlike the stick ball of New York city, these guys
find a way to convert a block of Havana into a playing arena.

       For almost a half a century the Island nation has lived with the ravages of deterioration.  A revolutionary political and socialist economic meltdown, Soviet heavy handedness and then abandonment and the stringent US economic embargo.  Despite
the adversity, Cubans find a way to carry on and with a joy in those things that bring them pleasure, despite having to improvise or make due.
       Stay tuned for more from our Cuban file.  (See the Post of June 15 2011.)
       See you down the trail.

NOT YOUR BASIC PICNIC

A FOODIE REPORT

       Hello Lightbreezes readers.  I hope you will permit a bit of indulgence, in more ways than one.  Today's post is about food, good food and a lot of it.  For a year now, a group of friends have gathered about every month for a "moveable feast." The offerings at our 

"American Independence Feast" push Fourth of July picnics to a new level.  I assure you the pictures can't do justice to the meal.  

Beginnings

Provolone and Pesto 

Stuffed Mushrooms

Fennel Salad with

Chickpea/Fava/Spinach Cakes

Quiona and bean salad

THE ENTREE

Kosher hot dogs with

New York Style Cole Slaw

pulled chicken barbecue

bourbon baked beans

smoked tri-tip with

chimichurii sauce

SWEET ENDINGS

Strawberry Muerbeteig

Aunt Bertha's Cherry Pudding

Peruvian Chocolate

the wines 

Pipestone Grenache Rose

Sofia Rose

Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

D'Abnbino Sauvignon Blanc

Kukkula Lothario

Justin Petitt Verdot

Pipestone Zinfandel

Venteux Farmhouse Cuvee

It was an extraordinary evening,

See you down the trail.