Conservation, National Forests, National Parks, State Parks

Merced River Plan – Bad Idea. REALLY Bad Idea

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Mercury News published an article by Paul Rogers, titled “Yosemite National Park may ban horse, bike and raft rentals, and remove ice rink and pools.”  You can read it HERE.

It’s a good article, and Paul is a good writer, and he lays everything out really well.

Personally, I have issues with the plan; I don’t believe we should be destroying ice rinks or banning bicyclists.  I believe that we should, however, draw a line in the sand; take a snapshot of how Yosemite Valley is right now, and look at preserving what we have, and managing it for future generations.  Which makes it sound like I’m against the Merced River Plan as drafted by the National Park Service.  I kinda am, but I’m also kinda not.  I like the idea behind the plan, I just think that – after the years and years of lawsuits, the fake sequestration cuts, and the political posturing by both sides – the plan is too convoluted and open to interpretation to be workable.

What I DO take exception to, however, are the so-called ‘environmentalists’ who seem to think they know better than those that would seek to conserve the land.  More often than not, environmentalists are people who never visit the places they seek to ban humans from, never see the damage done to the environment by the invasive alien species of plant and animal life they seek to “protect,” and very rarely stray far from their parent’s basements – unless it’s to use the hybrid car (made with batteries that have destroyed more environment than every Hummer ever made and that will continue to degrade the planet for decades to come) to drive to the mall to pick up cosmetics or sundries tested on innocent animals so they can live a more comfortable, air-conditioned life that is far removed from the true outside world. Continue reading →

Goals

Feedly Is Number One In My Book (Thanks, Google Reader!)

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

If any of you know me, you know that I seem to always be up on the ‘latest news.’  While I’d like to say that’s a function of my big brain, eidetic memory and vast knowledge of everything … the truth is a bit more pedestrian: I read.  A lot.  I am a voracious devourer of books, media, and blogs.

So it was with some small amount of trepidation that I ventured beyond my comfort zone to find blog distiller.  For years I’ve been using Google Reader, and had been happy with it’s little quirks, and grown accustomed to it’s faithful delivery of all of my RSS feeds.  When you’re as involved in reading as many blogs, news outlets, tweets, and etc. as I am (it turns out there were 827 blogs that I subscribe to.  Who knew?), you really don’t want too much change to happen all at once. Continue reading →

Goals, National Forests, National Parks

No Mount Whitney This Year…

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Color me disappointed.  Just got the email today:

Lottery Results – Mt Whitney Lottery 2013

Dear Customer,

We are sorry to inform you that your application to Mt Whitney Lottery 2013 was not successful.

Results for Lottery Application # 6-xxxxxxx – Unsuccessful.

All remaining dates for the 2013 season will be available for web reservations beginning on April 1, 2013 through the www.recreation.gov website on a “First Come First Serve” basis. Any canceled space will return to the web calendar at random times. There is no waitlist for canceled space.

Thank you for using www.recreation.gov

Well, there’s always next year; it’s not like the mountain is going anywhere.  John Muir is famously quoted as saying “The mountains are calling and I must go.”  Apparently, for me, the mountains could not be reached for comment.

Warbirds

Planes of Fame Airshow – Chino Airport May 4-5

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

If you haven’t already, you should get your tickets for this great airshow!

Every year the Plane of Fame Air Museum at Chino Airport hosts a great airshow featuring aircraft from different eras in both static and flying presentations.  This years theme is “Lightning Strikes Chino” highlighting the Lockheed P-38 Lightning – one of my favorite World War II aircraft.

The flying portion of the show is May 4-5, from 11am to 4pm, with gates opening at 8am, and closing at 5pm.

Tickets are available online from the POF website HERE, and you save $5 if you pre-order through the website.  Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children (5-11), and there’s grand stand seating available for an additional $15.

From the Planes of Fame website:

“This year’s airshow will feature nearly 40 historic aircraft performing for your enjoyment as well as a salute to the Lockheed P-38 Lightning.  Planes of Fame Air Museum is proud to present Air Show 2013: “Lightning Strikes Chino”.  We invite you to Airshow 2013 to celebrate the history and contributions of this great aircraft. In addition to many other fantastic airplanes performing, there will be panel discussions with our honored veterans.  Check back often for updates on the veterans who will participate. Also, be sure to catch the Airshow Preview Event and check out the Air Show 2013 Promotional Video!”

The shadows of the men who flew these planes grows longer every day.  We should strive whenever and wherever possible to maintain America’s great aviation heritage, and remind future generations of the accomplishments of the great aviators, aviatrix, inventors, engineers, and designers who pushed – and continue to push – the boundaries of the heavens.

The Planes of Fame website is HERE.

The Airshow 2013 Promotional Video is HERE.

You an buy tickets online HERE.

General Aviation

What Flying Is All About

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Just the look on Lainey Woodson’s face makes the whole trip worth taking.

This was originally posted over at Flying Magazine.

From the post:

Six-year-old Lainey Woodson never had an interest in flying, until her first flight on Oct. 5, 2012. The youngest of four, she was always scared of flying, unlike her older siblings.

On a clear October day, her family traveled out to York, South Carolina (01SC), to the grass strip for a picnic and an afternoon of fun. That’s when her father, Bobby Woodson, decided to duct-tape his GoPro video camera to his 1946 Aeronca Champ 7AC, in which he soloed on his 16th birthday at the same grass strip, and capture the wonderful moment of Lainey’s first flight. And her reaction, well, it speaks for itself. But it’s sure to remind you of that unforgettable feeling of what it’s like to fly.

You can read the whole article HERE.