Fearless Felix

On August 16, 1960, Air Force Captain Joe Kittinger, completed a world record 102,800 foot skydive. According to centennialofflight.gov he was protected against the subzero temperatures by layers of clothes and a pressure suit and during his descent, he reached speeds up to 614 miles per hour.

Yesterday, Sunday, 10/14/12, on the Discovery Channel, I watched Australian daredevil Felix Baumgartner break Kittinger’s 52 year old record. Interestingly, Joe Kittinger was a member of Baumgartner’s support team.

Courtesy Google Images

Baumgartner’s capsule was lifted on high by a hot air balloon to a height greater than 128,000 feet. He wore a high tech pressure suit and helmet that protected him from the freezing temperatures present at that altitude.

Just before the jump, he stood on platform outside his capsule and hesitated and I wondered if he was thinking, “Wow, that’s a long way down.” He leaned forward and toppled. As he dropped he pin wheeled. I wondered if he was ok but I could hear him breathing. His descent steadied and eventually he opened his chute and floated safely to the ground.

According to abcnews.com his skydive was record breaking on three counts.

1. The only man to achieve a supersonic skydive (833 miles per hour or Mach 1.24)

2. The highest exit from a platform

3. The free fall without a drogue parachute

I was amazed and awed that someone would be willing to perform a stunt like this. I don’t even like to ride the roller coasters at Six Flags.

Are there any daredevils out there that want to attempt a jump of 128,000 feet?

A Weekend in Millinocket



This rock signals the entrance to the park is imminent.

This past weekend, my family and I trekked to Millinocket, Maine or as I like to refer to it, the southern gateway (Togue Pond Gate) to Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin. This was planned as a quick trip for a family reunion on Saturday.

Millinocket is also home to the Pelletier family— lumberjacks who are featured in the Discovery Channel’s American Loggers.

Ribs at Ruthie's

We stayed at Ruthie’s Hotel Terrace in Millinocket. It was inexpensive and very homey. Ruthie made certain her guests had what they needed to be comfortable. At her restaurant, attached to the hotel, she offered a variety of well made, affordable meals and homemade baked goods (the doughnuts made to order – crispy on the outside, cake-like on the inside).

We should have taken all our meals at Ruthie’s. Comparatively speaking, our dinners on Friday and Saturday night were a disappointment. One establishment boasted they had the best burger in Millinocket and you could have it prepared anyway you liked—so long as you liked it charred, dry and crumbly.

Sunday we spent the day at Baxter State Park. Mount Katahdin is a haven for hikers, campers and photographers. There are trails for the novice and the experienced walker.

We had hoped to spy a moose. Unfortunately, a whole day was spent in the park but we did not see any signs of moose. But it didn’t matter; we still had a terrific day.

Our first stop was Sandy Stream Pond, an eight mile ride north of the Togue Pond Gate entrance and then an easy hike.



Sandy Pond Vista



Sandy Pond



Little Niagara

Next, we backtracked and went northwest from the Togue Pond Gate to Little Niagara Falls. The path to the falls was a bit more challenging but we weren’t deterred. It was worth the walk.

I’ve been to Mount Katahdin a number of times, and I’m always awed by the scenery and the clarity of the water. Every pond, every stream, is crystal clear. If you haven’t been, I suggest making the trip.

Does anyone care to take a hike?

Homemade Hovercraft

About.com, Inventors, describes a hovercraft as a vehicle supported on a cushion of air supplied by a powered fan mounted on the craft. According to Dover Lock and Key of the Kingdom, it was invented by a British engineer, Christopher Cockerell, in 1956. In July, 1959, the Saunders Roe Nautical One (SRN1) became the first hovercraft to navigate the English Channel.

How cool would it be to own a hovercraft? For $200K you could buy an awesome one from Universal Hovercraft. I think that’s a little out of my price range.

Adam Savage of the Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters has provided plans for building a homemade hovercraft for a lot less. To build it, all you need are materials found in the garage:

• 1 sheet of ¾-inch plywood (get the cheapest you can find; quality is not an issue)
• 1 leaf blower (gas or electric)
• 1 heavy-duty shower curtain
• 2 rolls of duct tape
• 1 lid from a gallon paint can
• Foam pipe insulation
• Assorted screws

It doesn’t look all that hard. What do you think: are you ready to whoosh around your driveway on a cushion of air?