Posted By RichC on January 8, 2007
At the CinciTDI group we had a discussion about “Tire Pressure Monitoring” and I continue to come across a few extra tidbits worth sharing. Back in December I made a comment that the information Motorweek produced wasn’t as complete as it could have been, and so low and behold Pat Goss had another guest to fill us in a few gaps.
Posted By RichC on January 7, 2007
In a post a couple of days ago I mentioned solo sailor, singer and songwriter Donna Lange and commented that I would see if I could get permission to share some of her music. I’ll include a couple cuts to the right sidebar under the heading “What I’m listening to,” with the caveat that if you like her music you’ll consider writing Donna’s mother and sending a check for $20 + $2.50 postage and handling for her music CD:
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Donna Lange CD
Wilton Mobile Home Park
314 Louden Road, Lot 131
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-6514
As she navigates ever so close to South America’s ‘graveyard of the sea’ — Cape Horn — where fellow single-handed sailor Ken Barnes was just rescued, the better weather looks to be holding. In an email I received this morning from aboard SB Inspired Insanity, Donna wrote “I should be around the horn monday morn. i am just under 300miles, a solid 2 1/2 days. Then i will head up to the channel and to Puerto Williams. This is a challenging passage, but this sailor is now far more experienced and the equipment and repairs to her 28 foot boat have made it far safer than when she started. For me personally, it is good to see that there are still people dreaming and doing, sadly … 99% of us will forever be “just dreaming.”
🙁
EDIT-6PM update: Click here for an actual morning plot and an 18:00 EST estimated update as she approaches Cape Horn.
EDIT: I am following Donna’s voyage daily; here are a few other posts.
EDIT: Use the link on this post to connect with Google Earth daily plots of Donna’s progress along with log entries.
EDIT: Adding an ‘Equator Crossing’ updated post. Bristol, Rhode Island homecoming estimated in mid-April. Stay tuned to welcome Donna home.
I’ll finalize this post with the latest email that was sent to the handful communicating regularly with her … adventure types enjoy!
1625UTC 1125local/NY 0525NZ
LAND HO!!!!!!!
I had just got off the phone with Jonathan, confirming plans. The winds have gradually settled down over the last hour and it was time to take a reef out of the main. It is imperitive that i make good time today to make Puerto Williams by tomorrow night. As I open the companion way, a waft of warm air washes across my face, the sun filtering through a haze, soft white. There had been a ship that was going by earlier. As i strained my eyes to see it, I realized that in the liftng clouds, i was looking at Land, not horizon. The jagged edged mountain tops ridged and steep to the sea, were not clouds, but shadows of Chile’s Island of Tierra Del Fuego. I was suddenly full of excitement. just minutes ago I was daunted by the task of getting up to and along the channel,driving and sailing headwinds. But now the magic of the adventure has grabbed a hold of my imagination. The whales, seals. The sea captains. Those who live at Cape Horn, not just ‘go around’ it. The glaciers and penguins. The people here. And I will have an introduction. The music of Argentina…so romantic and passionate. I am still 54 miles from the Cape, but I should have some sight on it by this afternoon, and if I am not already around it at dark, surely its light will be shining close ahead. I have to find my camera. Shoot. in just 2 days i will have to be personable. If I know me, at some point, especially if the sun really comes out, i will take a bath and wash my hair. try to scrub 2 months worth of dead skin off my shins. it seems to be worst there. It only gets like this because it has been cold. even the first weeks when it was still relatively warm, i was ‘air fluffing my skin’, but once it gets cold, i become a hermit hiding in my polar fleece layers. Next sighting… the CAPE. loves to all. xoxoxo d
Posted By RichC on January 7, 2007
Volkswagen has started strong in the Dakar Rally this year as after the first stage they have capture the top 5 spots of 187 cars in the race. Portuguese car racer Carlos Sousa was first in this grueling off-road event which travels some 5,000 miles through Europe and Africa. Sousa time for the first stage was 1 hour, 20 minutes, 38 seconds, which was followed by four more VeeDubs. So far they have made good on they goal of taking spots away from Mitsubishi cars capturing first through fifth finishes. Stage one covered 288 miles, with 73 miles timed.
The NASCAR driver Robby Gordon finished 13th in stage one; he was the first American to win a Dakar Rally stage back in 2005 and looks to keep the pressure on. The race includes cars, trucks, motorcycles and all-terrain vehcles which consists of 525 teams from 42 countries. There are 250 motorcycles, 187 cars and 88 trucks competing this year.
Sunday’s stage two will be from Portimao to Malaga in Spain and cover 339 miles then the race continues into Africa, entering Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and the Senegal capital of Dakar, where the competitors are to finish Jan. 20.
Posted By RichC on January 6, 2007
I’m following up yesterday’s (1/5/2007) post about the California sailor Ken Barnes partially because the news media has picked up the story and and partially because of my sailing passion. In my opinion, this notoriety due to the family going public has been helpful in his rescue and the attention being paid to getting him safety back to the US. I’m not suggesting that those doing the actual rescuing are doing anything different, but the bureaucrats behind the scene might be giving the effort higher priority since all networks are covering the story? Nevertheless, the news is good and Ken Barnes is heading home to a waiting and grateful family. (see clip below)
Many watching or reading the news have now heard about Ken Barnes and his 44 foot boat “Privateer,” but don’t know about another single handed sailor in the same blow only 150 miles away sailing a 28 foot boat. I mentioned Donna Lange yesterday in my post, as her story also deserves note. I’m in email communication with her on her boat ‘Insanity Island’ and have enjoyed her perspective on sailing around Cape Horn. She should be rounding the tip of South America this weekend if all goes as planned; the weather looks about as positive as it could be for now. Check out her interesting story as she finishes her voyage at www.donnalange.com … and also consider purchasing her music CD. (I’ll see if I can get permission to include an short mp3 tickler song)
Here’s a 10 minute segment from “On the Record” with Greta VanSusteren on 1/5/2007 as she interviews Ken Barnes family after talking to Ken. I found it appropriate that they were very grateful for those who put in significant effort and risk to get to the stranded sailor.
Posted By RichC on January 5, 2007
UPDATE: Just before 6AM EST the fishing trawler Polar Pesca 1 rescued Ken Barnes. (FoxNews Alert Quicktime link)
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Ken Barnes is a 47 years old from Southern California single handed sailor who was heading for Round Cape Horn in his 44 foot ketch
Privateer. A wicked storm has battered his yacht, de-masting both masts, damaging his hatch and leaving him without power. Most concerning is that, according to reports from his satellite phone, he has been injured. (a deep cut on his leg) Another low is heading his way from the west and his boat will most likely not make it. Currently a rescue attempt is underway, hopefully to have him picked up by today. Yesterday’s photo from a Chilean P3 airplane has confirmed the damage. Fellow solo sailor Donna Lange is within 150 miles, but her ability to rescue him in time seems unlikely. According to her website, she was in VHF contact with a Navy vessel this morning on their way to Ken’s last position below. (talked with LATimes as well) Also in case she,or her internet friends are reading this, I did a virtual buoy forecast check for the weather around Cape Horn (from my current calculations she is about 350 miles away?) and the predicted low will be impacting north of her position, but should be better this weekend the farther south she is. Best of luck around the Horn.
This story has been picked up by most of the network news as well as the Greta VanSusteran “On the Record” last night; she interviews the family in the attached video clip.
Posted By RichC on January 4, 2007
The formalities of electing a new Speaker of the House took place in Washington DC today as Nancy Pelosi from California took the gavel
from Ohio Congressman John Boehner. The ceremony was the place to be today in our nation’s capital, as for the first time in our nation’s history a women was elected to the position of Speaker of the House. There were no tickets to be had, even if you were the mayor California’s largest city, Nancy Pelosi’s home state.
The speeches today from both Boehner and Pelosi were balanced with humility and hope. Both reflected on the public service of the late President Gerald Ford who served 25 years in the house, 8 of them as Speaker. Speaker Pelosi reflected on her strong Democratic background, but commented that she will operate in a “partnership” with Republicans, not “partisanship.”
She did close with rather prideful moment, suggesting that “today we [women] have broken the marble ceiling.” Her remarks also pointed to a new direction in Iraq, which clearly outlines her intention is to push the President for an end to the war and to pressure Iraqis in securing their own country. She stressed that she wanted to see a new America and listed items on her agenda: health care, job security, social security, energy and “pay as you go; no new deficit spending.”
Posted By RichC on January 4, 2007
A new image will be showing up in Ohio on the CASA/GAL Association’s “Celebrate Kids” license plate. The new printing is colorful and attractive and will no doubt be an appropriate addition to minivans and the new crossover vehicles … or anyone wanting to support the social services offered by the Ohio Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association.
The original “Celebrate Kids” plates were introduced almost ten years ago in 1998. The funds from the sales of a total of 120,000 “Celebrate Kids” specialty plates have enable the Association assist over 7500 children in 38 Ohio counties — $15 dollars of each purchase directly benefits the Ohio CASA/GAL Association. If you are interested in having a new “Celebrate Kids” license plate, visit the ‘special plates link’ at www.oplates.com, or call 1-888-PLATES3. The plates can also be purchased at your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Posted By RichC on January 3, 2007
Wow … what a beautiful sunset. (click for full size) A friend mine is in the Canadian Rockies for a week and sent this photo just to be cruel.
😉
Actually, he is staying in Canmore, Alberta with his family, enjoying skiing and taking a photography course. I assume he’ll come back with a few more beautiful scenery photos as well as some Photoshop skills; maybe a few technical pointers will rub off on me?
Posted By RichC on January 2, 2007
While visiting a new home last week I took a photo of wiring running through a front door hinge. Unfortunately my concern was dismissed with a smile: “Oh I been doing this for 15 years” and “its only a small strings of lights.” Sadly, I don’t think pointing out the potential risk will be heeded, but perhaps posting this here might help someone else? As you put away your Christmas lights this season, consider the many safety issues that might have been overlooked. By the way, what do you think about running wires through door hinges?
Posted By RichC on January 1, 2007
It’s been almost a week since I’ve posted, so perhaps I’m not addicted to a daily blog after all?
😉
Can I really wish someone a Happy New Year 2007?
As we put 2006 behind us, I have a sickening feeling when reflecting on this past year of war (US casualties top 3000), of local violence (Cincinnati homicides highest since WWII) and the of dangers around the world (Iran vying for nuclear power, North Korea testing missiles and continued killings in Israel and Lebanon). The civilized world, including the United States, is continuing to see a depressing slide in values and what traditionalists perceive as right and wrong, or good and bad. Surely people of faith recognize the Godlessness already apparent in much of Europe and that same erosion becoming obvious in the US as well? As a ‘once Christian nation,’ we have discounted biblical standards and the teaching of Jesus … America has moved from our “One Nation Under God” founding principles towards the philosophies of secular humanists. (Or Secular Progressives … as the New York Times bestseller “Culture Warrior” call them.) Sadly as a nation, these new secular values in the United States are adding to the destructive immorality that plagues the world human condition … absent from God.
I’m thankful that ultimately for believers in Christ that the future is certain. That future that holds the promise of an eternal life with our Heavenly Father … one without the wickedness that is so apparent in our world. Thankfully for those who know Christ, the death, destruction and immorality we see today, it will not be our ultimate future. I continue to pray for peace and for renewed direction, but recognized that without God none of this is possible.
Anyway, I also live in the secular world and enjoy the traditions of the moment. Last night (from bed) my wife and I watch Dick Clark and the ball drop in NYC … and after wishing each a ‘Happy New Year’ were thankful for all we have. Our health, our children, our friends and family, our country and our Saviour. May your 2007 be one of blessings … Happy New Year.
