"Come on in...
the earth, like the sun, belongs to everyone--
and to no one."
Edward Abbey
The following is
a journal of my experiences at the Black Rock Desert. I've been visiting
the Black Rock Desert since 1994. Its a very beautiful place to
visit. The geologic and human
history, the beauty and the solitude are just a few of the features that
attract me to this area.
One of the things that really left an impression on me the
first time I visited the playa was a stunning sunset. There is a varnish
that forms on the surface of the undisturbed playa that reflects the sunsets
and sunrises (similar to the reflection you'd see on water).
Add to that a spectacular array of clouds in colors ranging from silver to
blood red. I was awe-struck. I was inconsolable that I didn't
have a camera!
You can also see strange optical phenomena like "islands in
the sky" mirages; distortion of distances caused by parabolic magnification
(between two air masses with differing densities/temperatures). You
can see strange looming and inverted mirage images occasionally as well.
The Black Rock Desert has the optimum conditions for observing "superior
mirages".
There are hot springs, tufa formations and plenty of historical sites
to check out also. But, my favorite activity out on the playa is high
power rocketry. It was while discovering the sport of high power rocketry
that I discovered what a hostile, fragile and beautiful place the Black
Rock Desert is.
This year (2003) I want to get my Class II Certification. I'm
starting to put my PML Aurora hybrid
rocket kit
together. This rocket flight will be a lot of firsts
for me. I haven't flown a high power rocket since 1997. This
will be my first hybrid motor flight. I've got an Aerotech 54/1280
motor with a 440 cc flight cylinder. The recovery for this rocket
will be electronic. I'm considering using a timer for main recovery
with a barometric back-up recovery card. I'm also considering using
a non-pyro ejection gas system. Pretty risky for a certification flight,
I like it.
RANT ALERT - RANT
ALERT - RANT ALERT
Thanks to the deeds of some hate-crazed mass murdering idiots,
those who enjoy the sport of high power rocketry, aerospace modeling
and other similar hobbies are under close scrutiny due to the nature of the
craft we enjoy. Amateur rocket ships and model aircraft are being viewed
as a potential threat to public and National security.
Rockets (hobby rockets have no guidance systems) and radio
controlled model aircraft have been portrayed as potential dispersal devices
for biological and chemical agent attacks.
The thought of a mass formation of model airplanes, guided
by a bunch of maniacally cackling jihadi terrorists brandishing radio controls,
droning toward a packed sports stadium in one direction while their hate-delirious
brethren launch a barrage of model rockets (purchased at the local hobby
shop) from the other direction, all carrying a payload of death to the infidels....
....I just think there are more realistic, sinister and devastating
tactics to watch out for. I don't take the subject lightly, I just
think a scenario anything like the one above isn't plausible. One amateur
rocket or one remote-controlled model aircraft certainly wouldn't have much
impact, if any.
The concern is that certain well meaning agencies might vindicate
their fears upon law abiding American citizens who merely wish to pursue
a safe and fascinating pastime. 'We the People' loose another simple
freedom, because of the acts of foreign terrorists.
- RANT
OVER -
Here are some interesting pictures and
places at the Black Rock Desert...
Trego Hot Springs (Looking South)
Trego Hot Springs Caldera
Dooby Road
The Playa Looking Northeast from 'Ground
Zero'
Crossroads
Aphrodite
A Spiritual Connection
The Gateway to Heaven
Here are some interesting sites on the internet...
www.abbeyweb.net
www.nv.gov
www.nv.blm.gov/Winnemucca/recreation/Black_Rock_Desert.htm
www.kluft.com/~ikluft/blackrock/
www.space-rockets.com/arsa.htm
l
www.arliss.org/
www.space-rockets.com
www.xprize.org
www.nasa.gov
www.jpaerospace.com
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