NISSAN LEAF

cars

I test drove the future, a zero emissions car, my first experience. Startup hints at uniqueness. There is a keyless button labeled Start which energizes the instrument display screens and radio and environmental systems come to life. I wanted to focus on the drive so I turned all that other stuff off. A diminutive little knob (switch) selects PNDR. Relaxing foot pressure on the brake and the vehicle starts to creep just as a car with an automatic transmission would. Of course this is a software function (concession) in the EV which makes you feel more at home. Acceleration can be brisk if you like and it is erie that there is no vibration, no noise or commotion, just a soft whir as motor torque pushes you back in your seat. Quite satisfying. As speed reached 35+ mph tire noise masks sounds from the electrics. The only ECO skill to learn is early deceleration and planning using regenerative braking which will recover energy that would ordinarily waste as heat.

The Leaf Is not a soul inspiring machine. It is very appliance like and the body, while ergonomic, has the look of a grocery getter. Perhaps a Tesla Model S would add sex appeal to the equation.

for the dedicated small audience

computers
Discovered YouTube Channels and have subscribed to some niche programming like: DRIVE, a worthwhile video source if you happen to lust for cars like the GT3 cup car. These are all short works because there is only so much time in the day that one can spend consuming media. Here’s a representative piece on Lowriders from Motortrend .  They are cinematic and skillfully done in the artistic vein of Top Gear — which has its own channel as well.  There are numerous categories from which to choose should automobilia not be your thing. You can immerse in Kinetic Art or Surfing or… whatever your interest.
Unfortunately you can not replicate the YouTube channel subscription experience in your living room on your HDTV.  Not yet.  A few 3rd parties using YouTube APIs are trying and some have tried but Google has locked down this functionality. It is probable that Google is seeking a monetization model.
TiVo has “Web Videos“, some of them in HD, that showcase the Internet connected TV. Example:  The excellent production of CNET video podcasts  offerings can be viewed via YouTube Channel but on your high definition TV via TiVo Season Pass the experience is complete. One can see what Google needs to achieve.

1861: The Civil War Awakening

social
1861: The Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart offers good perspective of public thinking and attitudes during this era. Lacking are the nut and bolt front line battle tactics of the war years but still a good historical refresher. The book has a focus on political and sociological influences during the wars crucial early stages. Many of the thoughts and notions presented are missing from any official textbook teachings to which one may have been exposed, so there is some excellent awareness here.

The Black Power Mixtape

social
Either I wasn’t paying attention or it didn’t seem relevant (to me) at the time but it sure is interesting stuff now. The Black Power Mixtape 1967 – 1975 is a documentary that gives introduction to a cause and a taste for learning history. Having switched off certain current events back in the day; it’s not too late to catch up. [ Netflix ]

Teterboro

jogging
It’s a gateway for New York City. It’s where the business jets go. La Guardia airport you may know about, but happens to be saturated with commercial flights. Teterboro caters exclusively to small airplanes. Located on the other side of the Hudson, New Jersey is not as glamorous as Manhattan but this area is traffic safe enough for getting out and good for a lap. Beginning from Hasbrouck Heights the route runs through light industrial zoning and older office parks. On the far side is Moonachie and a quiet clean residential area in Little Ferry. South Hackensack is last on loop. The runways intersect making for a small perimeter. This can be completed in less than an hour. [ GPX ]

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Chicago Midway

jogging
Having sat on my hands all day due to flight schedule reductions in anticipation of Irene, I was open to suggestion. Leaving the airport in the shuttle and seeing a jogger with the driver remarking that it was a popular route and pronouncing it safe, was all I needed. Turned out to be a fine lap. The navigation is easy with left turns (orbiting against opposing traffic) on sidewalk. At 4 miles the perimeter is compact, as far as airports go, and a nearly square footprint. Unfortunately there is nothing to see. The property boundary fence is a 20 foot wall. However, this barrier could be a plus in the winter months as the wind does tend to blow here. There are narrow stretches of packed mulch in unused garden beds between fence and concrete to save the knees.

earth mover

jogging
Something besides the broken glass brought this twin 8V-71 Detroit Diesel engined beast down. I nearly missed this one on a Charlottesville jog pass by. Identified as a WABCO 252FT elevated scraper, these mammoth machines today are rather obscure (no pun intended). WABCO, short for Westinghouse Air Brake Company whch ran a heavy equipment division at one time, but the design has roots with R.G. LeTourneau. The value in this relic may be as a donor keeping others operational. I wonder if some bank lending asset ledger records serial GR-47106-CPA17-L and its whereabouts– or is it be reclaimed by the same earth that it toiled to transform. [ GPX ]

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Charlottetown

jogging

The Boardwalk is disjointed because of intervening waterfront homes and historic properties. Still, these structures are easy on the eyes. Actual sections of wood planking lend a bit of cush to the stride as they spring and bounce. The view from Victoria Park is quite good and the Cornwall farmland across the river is inviting. The place has political history as a summit between Britain and the other Maritime Colonies met here and agreed to form a union to share resources and protect against a feared Yankee land grab during the US Civil War. FUD. [ GPX ]

Nantucket

jogging
The island probably needs the tourist trade but I’m sure that the wealthy home owners don’t. Public beach access is invisible. 82 miles of sand — less than 5 of it shared. Looking at a google map what appears to be a grid-work of roads toward beach are actually driveways to pricey private real estate. Some named streets are overgrown paths used by residents. Spotting a local on a bike with a beach towel bungeed to the back fender proved an excellent scout and I gave chase in running shoes. [ GPX ]

Bent Creek

hiking
With only a recommendation I ventured in expecting a walking hike but found that I was able to jog at least a third of it. There is a level crushed rock road from the Hardluck Trail Head all the way to the NC Arboretum with numerous branch trails best explored with map. This section of the Pisgah National Forrest is popular with the mountain bikers due to its close proximity to Asheville, NC. but there is plenty of width. Arrive early before automobile parking becomes saturated.