The Pines of Bastrop State Park

With Joe in town last week for a visit, I figured it would be nice to do a little hiking (something not possible in the Finger Lakes in January). There’s not a lot in the way of hiking around College Station, so we drove west toward Austin to Bastrop State Park. The section of TX-21 that runs through Bastrop county had already caught my eye on trips to Austin thanks to a beautiful section of road turned cathedral by the tall stately pines lining both sides.

In fact, these are the Lost Pines, a remnant of an Ice Age-era pine forest that once stretched across much of the South. Other portions of it remain to the east, but the loblolly pines of Bastrop county are notable for being a tiny independent population more than a 100 miles from their genetic neighbors in the East Texas Piney Forest.

Upon our arrival, we checked in to the park headquarters, where we paid our $4/person fee to use the park. (You’re welcome, State of Texas. Please keep up the good conservation work.) Our original plan had been to take the Lost Pines trail, but we made a last minute change to a shorter route to accommodate a busy schedule. We started out on the Lost Pines trail, which is the longest in the park but used Roosevelt’s Cutoff to substantially reduce our distance. The ground in the park is very sandy, which almost seemed strange given the tall pines, until Joe found a sandstone rock outcropping near the spot where Roosevelt’s Cutoff rejoined the Lost Pines trail.

Joe explains how this sandstone outcropping formed and the marching dunes that created the crosshatching seen in the center of the picture

We took a bit of a detour back up a section of old roadway to eat lunch at the Fehr’s Overlook kiosk. Like the Scenic Overlook kiosk where we’d park, the “overlook” is a bit of a misnomer. While both are located at local geographical maxima, the proximity of the trees means that you can’t really see out to the surrounding area. Still, they are pleasant places to stop for a bite.

Once we reached the end of the Lost Pines trail, we followed the park road 1A around to a campground where the trailhead of the Scenic Overlook trail began. Nearby we found the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) rain shelter, built during the mid-1930s when FDR put jobless young men to work building state and national park facilities. Bastrop State Park does a nice job of drawing attention to the work of these young men with plenty of signage for original CCC structures. On one historical board we learned that, in the first three months of employment in the CCC, young men gained an average of 11-1/4 pounds! What a difference hard labor and regular meals can make.

Trail signage in general in the park was quite good, though we did stop a couple times to decipher exactly which direction the arrows on the sign post were indicating. The trails were not difficult to follow and bridges abounded for crossing streams. We found at least one gentleman trail jogging and saw others out hiking and bird-watching. Signs indicated that dogs are permitted on some of the trails. Our one real complaint was that the noise of civilization was rarely out of earshot, but, given the proximity to Highway 21 and the fact that the Lost Pines themselves take up only 13 miles or so, this can’t really be helped. The highway fades into background noise, broken by the occasional train or aircraft.

Looking up through the pines to a blue sky

On the Scenic Overlook trail, we saw and heard the majority of the birds that we noted in the trip, including a couple of cardinals as well as several birds we failed to identify. (I grew up being quizzed on the trees of Northwest Arkansas, not the birds. By the way, Mom, there are lots of post oaks in Bastrop, too.) It’s not quite the mating season for the Houston toad yet, but we passed many a still pool of water that they’ll use when it starts in February and March.

In addition to the sandstone outcropping, Joe enjoyed himself exploring the geology of Bastrop, particularly when he discovered harder, multicolored rocks that stopped us in our tracks while he analyzed them. I hesitantly identified them as a form of chert, which, upon further reflection, seems to have been the right answer.

My favorite part, though, was the trees themselves. I grew up in primarily deciduous forests and while a thick green blanket from ground to sky makes me very happy, I’ve never been able to adequately capture the glow of golden rays of sunlight falling through a verdant forest. The pines of Bastrop were, I found, far more photogenic.

The Lost Pines stretching upward

Our trip through Bastrop was relatively brief, but quite enjoyable. I’m keen to go back and do the full Lost Pines trail sometime, and I think it would be a nice place to hike in the spring when animals are out but the temperatures aren’t too high yet. Bastrop is also home to a lake (with canoe rentals) and numerous campgrounds, primitive and otherwise. I also have standing plans to cycle park road 1C, which stretches between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks, at some point during my time in Texas. But that, I think, will wait for warmer, sunnier days than we’re currently experiencing!

Carl Sagan Day Apple Pie, complete with spiral galaxy

This year, in honor of Carl Sagan Day, I took the plunge and decided to make some apple pie completely from scratch. Our plan here in College Station was to celebrate Carl Sagan by watching Cosmos while drinking cosmos and eating apple pie. To begin with, I had to contemplate inventing the universe:

Contemplating inventing the universe

With the arduous task of inventing the universe completed, I could move on to the comparatively easy task of making pie crust, which was still a new and exciting experience for me. Getting the filling in order wasn’t too difficult, and Simon and Matt were kind enough to assist with the peeling and slicing of apples while I took on the crust. This first pie was really for practice (and so that we’d have something to eat right away), but it still needed adornment, so we settled on pi for the pie:

The pi pie

After the pi pie went into the oven, it was time for the Carl Sagan Day pie. This pie was made with Empire apples–the pi pie used Jonagold–in order to really capture all of the upstate New York goodness that should accompany any celebration of Carl Sagan. And to honor his field of astronomy, we decorated the pie with a spiral galaxy:

The spiral galaxy Carl Sagan Day pie

Both pies turned out remarkably well for a bunch of first timers. Just look at that delicious pie:

Mmm, pie

Simon, Matt, and I dug into the first pie Saturday; we had to make sure that the Carl Sagan Day pie would be acceptable! Tonight was the night our group actually celebrated Carl Sagan Day with some Cosmos, some cosmos, some Symphony of Science, and, of course, some apple pie.

Carl Sagan Day!

Happy Carl Sagan Day, everyone!

Joe and I biking Cades Cove Loop. Note the clunker.

One hundred days later I have biked a total of 783 miles, 244 of which were spent commuting. I’ve saved myself more than 10 gallons of gas, which is more than my average fill-up amount. I’ve burned about 32,000 calories or 9.24 pounds of fat. I’ve gone from feeling like a 10-mile ride with 360 feet of ascent would kill me to regularly riding 30-mile routes on the weekend. I’ve even managed 600 feet of ascent, which is about the best I can do in this part of Texas, on a 39-mile ride at pace of 15.2 mph. With head- and crosswinds the whole way.

My bike, still looking shiny and new in July

I am still very much a beginner in the world of cycling, but 780 miles in 100 days has taught me a lot. Here are a few of the things I’ve learned along the way:

Getting places is more fun on two wheels. I didn’t realize how much of my daily commute by car was colored by frustration–with the red lights, with people not moving quickly enough, with being unable to get the parking spot I wanted–until I tried it by bike. I actually get to my office faster by bike; I get less frustrated doing so; I save money, and I burn fat. Win, win, win.

Cycling on the road with cars is not as scary as you think it is. Yes, I have had people pass me doing 60 mph way too close to me for safety, but the vast majority of drivers have shown me courtesy and respect. If the pickups of rural Texas can get along with bicycles, I’m pretty sure anybody can.

A sundog on an early morning ride along Fitch

Some drivers are idiots. So are some cyclists. I’ve had drivers (and their passengers) jeer at me, call me names, and even threaten me while on my bike. I’ve also had drivers wave enthusiastically at me while riding and a motorcyclist pull over to make sure I didn’t have a flat when I was just taking a break on the shoulder of the road. I’ve also had to deal with cyclists who don’t follow basic laws, like riding with traffic instead of against it.

Cyclists come in every shape and size. I’ve met whippet-thin racers and I’ve met overweight mountain bikers. I’ve met cyclists nearly three times my age who can leave me in the dust. Anyone can ride a bike, and I do mean anyone.

Starting back down Mt. Unpleasant, near Carlos, TX

Pride comes before a fall. The moment you feel confident may be quickly followed by flipping head over heels into a ditch full of stagnant water. And discovering that you’ve given your boyfriend road rash on his face. It’s not a fun experience, but if you get up, check your dérailleur and get back on the bike, it’s worth it. Also, that bouncy feeling on your back tire? It’s a flat.

Cycling with friends is great. I look forward to our group rides on the weekend. We can take it easy and chat and just enjoy the scenery, or we (usually Chris and I) can go out and push ourselves to ride harder and faster and climb more. Either way, it’ll feel great in the end.

Chris and I, in our spandex, after our first 40-mile ride

Spandex actually is pretty comfortable. It’s hard not to look at a cyclist decked out in skin-tight, brightly-colored shorts and a jersey and think they’re crazy. But the truth is that those shorts are way more comfortable for riding, and those jerseys have pockets on the back that are the best thing ever.

Early mornings on the weekend are glorious. In Texas, the prospect of cycling in 95 degrees with 90% humidity during the day is very real and very unpleasant. During the warmer months, starting a ride just after sunrise means more comfortable temperatures and empty roads. Those early Sunday mornings are almost magical.

Looking down on a lake from Mt. Unpleasant (nickname from local cyclists)

Aerodynamics can be a bitch. You’d think I, as a fluid mechanician, would be well aware of the un-aerodynamic state of an upright bicyclist. But I become infinitely more aware when battling a 12 mph crosswind. It’s rough. But, hey, what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger, right? What’s a few extra hundred calories burned?

I love cycling. I love the sense of freedom. I love that the pace that makes me appreciate the journey instead of the destination. I love the feeling of empowerment when I’ve conquered something new. I love the exhilarating speed of a downhill sprint (I’ve been recorded at ~35 mph), and I love the feeling when I’m cruising above 20 mph without feeling strained. I love that I can save money and and time and the environment one day at a time. I love getting home sweaty and tired and rosy from the endorphins and the knowledge that I’ve just done something really healthy for myself.

Only one hundred days of cycling, but I think I’m on to something. And, yeah, my legs are looking pretty good these days.

…and Chrome asked me where to download the .crx file.

Some posts I found suggested that dragging the downloaded .crx file into Chrome would install the extension, but, for me, that simply re-downloaded the file I already had. (Why would you ever want to re-download a file you just dropped into the browser? That makes no sense to me.)

But I’ve found a way to have my cake and eat it, too! First, close Chrome and go to the user application data folder. In Vista or Windows 7, the default location is:

C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\

Rename the Default folder; I chose to add “(backup)” to the name. Now reopen Chrome. This will create a new Default folder. Now you can install extensions from the gallery and Chrome should interpret the .crx correctly.

Next we want to restore all your personalizations–bookmarks, history, etc. To do this, return to your backup folder and copy its contents–except for the Preferences file–and paste them into the new Default folder. For whatever reason, copying the Preferencesевтини мебели file will cause Chrome to no longer display your installed extensions–or at least it did for me. In my case that really just meant redefining the Downloads location, but your mileage may vary.

Here’s hoping that helps some poor frustrated person who just wants their extensions to work! I’m still struggling with the same problem under Linux–making Chrome create a new user profile hasn’t worked for me there–but, if I find a solution, I will share it.

The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it but the way those atoms are put together. – Carl Sagan

Projects like Symphony of Science, which has turned pieces of Sagan’s show Cosmos along with interviews and clips from other famous scientists into extremely catchy tunes, ensure that Sagan’s legacy lives on and his message awe, hope, and humanism continues to reach new audiences:

“The Committee concluded that the ultimate goal of human exploration is to chart a path
for human expansion into the solar system.”

“The Committee finds that no plan compatible with the FY 2010 budget profile permits human exploration to continue in any meaningful way.”

“The Committee further finds that it is possible to conduct a viable exploration program with a budget rising to about $3 billion annually above the FY 2010 budget profile. [...] The Committee believes an exploration program that will be a source of pride for the nation requires resources at such a level.”

“Once the Shuttle is retired, there will be a gap in America’s capability to launch humans into space. That gap will extend until the next U.S. human-rated launch system becomes available. The Committee estimates that, under the current plan, this gap will be at least seven years long. There has not been this long a gap in U.S. human launch capability since the U.S. human space program began.”

Even more sobering: the Committee found no alternatives that will decrease the gap below six years unless we extend the Shuttle program, which, since the external fuel tank assembly lines have been shut down, only means delaying already scheduled launches.

“The return on investment to both the United States and our international partners would be significantly enhanced by an extension of ISS life. Not to extend its operation would significantly impair U.S. ability to develop and lead future international spaceflight partnerships.”

“The United States needs a way to launch astronauts to low-Earth orbit, but it does not
necessarily have to be provided by the government. As we move from the complex, reusable Shuttle back to a simpler, smaller capsule, it is an appropriate time to consider turning this transport service over to the commercial sector. [...] The Committee suggests establishing a new competition for this service, in which both large and small companies could participate.”

Government-encouraged LEO launch capabilities could lead to lower launch costs; it could also mean new and exciting jobs for young aerospace engineers like myself.

“The Committee strongly believes it is time for NASA to reassume its crucial role of developing new technologies for space.”

That one can be read a couple of different ways, but it kind of sounds to me like a slap in the face over the use-as-much-existing-technology-as-possible philosophy of the current Constellation program. Some of NASA’s major returns-on-investment have been in terms of new technologies that can be applied to life on earth, and it’s important to continue that tradition–and to draw more attention to it–so that the average citizen knows what they’re getting from the space program.

“If humans are ever to live for long periods on another planetary surface, it is likely to be on Mars. But Mars is not an easy place to visit with existing technology and without a substantial investment of resources. The Committee finds that Mars is the ultimate destination for human exploration; but it is not the best first destination.”

“Significant space achievements require continuity of support over many years. [...] NASA and its human spaceflight program are in need of stability in both resources and direction.”

In other words–politics need to lay off of NASA and let it do its job of exploring without the constant stress of its budget disappearing or mission changing as politicians do.

I’m sure there will be more to discuss as the Committee’s full findings are released and we hear what President Obama thinks of them. In the meantime, what are your thoughts?

My favorite moment is around 1:45.

First, get in the appropriate mood by looking at some stunning hi-res photos from all stages of the mission. The Big Picture has everything from the iconic portrait of Buzz Aldrin on the moon to less-known moments like the astronauts eating a breakfast of steak and eggs before launch. (Either these are brave men, or their stomachs have been lined with steel.) If you’re like me, the pictures will probably bring tears to your eyes and goosebumps to your arms.

If, as I am, you are too young to have experienced the wonder of this historic mission as it happened, there are a couple of ways to simulate the experience. The J.F.K. Presidential library has a dedicated We Choose the Moon website that is playing through the entire mission in real time (and will have the full mission available thereafter). They’re broadcasting mission audio alongside a Flash mission tracker that shows each stage in computer simulation as it happened. As each stage of the mission becomes active, new galleries of images and video are available as well.

Similarly, NASA is broadcasting the mission audio as part of its anniversary celebration. I’ve actually been following both as the background to my work today and it’s been pretty interesting so far. The two audio lines seem to be out-of-sync by about 10 minutes. I’ve tried reloading to sync them (Flash seems to be slowing down a lot under Ubuntu and Firefox), but no luck. Guess it just means that I get to hear all the great bits twice!

Of course, we shouldn’t forget that there is a current space shuttle mission, STS-127, aloft right now. It’s pretty quiet in my department today, in fact, because a lot of people are in FL for the Endeavor launch since it’s carrying our AggieSAT into orbit.

The space shuttle program is, sadly, on its way out, which makes this, more than ever, a time to look forward to what we want to do in space in the years to come. To that end, I’ll be eagerly awaiting word from President Obama’s commission to see what it will mean for NASA and the Constellation program. Personally, I would like to see a bolder course and one with a more ambitious timeline for manned exploration than what I’ve heard thus far. Of course, such a program requires funds to go with it, and, unfortunately, that’s about the last thing the public wants to think about right now. But space exploration is an investment in our future, short-term and long-term. I cannot say enough about how inspirational NASA’s manned space flight programs have been to me, personally, and I know many others who would not have pursued education and careers in science, math, and engineering were it not for those programs.

Fortunately, I’m not the only one calling for a more ambitious path: Buzz Aldrin has a piece in the Washington Post today:

Much has been said recently about the Vision for Space Exploration and the future of the international space station. As we all reflect upon our historic lunar journey and the future of the space program, I challenge America’s leaders to think boldly and look beyond the moon. Yes, my vision of “Mars for America” requires bold thinking. But as my friend and Gemini crewmate Jim Lovell has noted, our Apollo days were a time when we did bold things in space to achieve leadership. It is time we were bold again in space. #

Perhaps by the time the 60th Apollo 11 anniversary rolls around, we’ll have an even more impressive achievement on our records.

Now, I haven’t really used an IDE since my freshman programming class and this is my first encounter with any flavor of Fortran, so, when I tried to compile my first program, only for Geany to fail to find the compiler, there were definitely some thoughts of panic. Neither Google nor the g95/Geany documentation provided any answers, but, luckily, I found the right setting to change.

So, for anyone else who is trying to get Geany and g95 to cooperate: go to Build –> Set Includes and Arguments. In the window that pops up, change every instance of gfortran to g95. You don’t have to change the arguments–they’ll carry over just fine.

Also, if you want to get BLAS and LAPACK working, you can install liblapack3gf and liblapack-dev via Synaptic or the terminal:

$ sudo apt-get install liblapack3gf liblapack-dev

Then return to Geany’s Set Includes and Arguments submenu and add -lblas and -llapack to the argument lists.

g95 -lblas -llapack -Wall -o "%e" "%f"

I include them in the Build command but not the Compile command so that I can distinguish between issues in my code and problems with linking.

Hopefully, that’ll help another poor soul out there.

I was able to locate a working backup from March, and I’ve restored the entries since then by copying them out of Google’s cache. I couldn’t find the patience to sign in and out repeatedly to rescue the comments of the last six months, though, so I’m afraid I’ll just have to live without those.

If anything’s wonky or missing, well, now you know why. There’s a lot of stuff to update about, but, having spent most of my evening copying and pasting old entries, I’m too tired to compose new stuff.