Exploring Up State NY

File photo of a Lake LA-4-200 aircraft utilized for the 14 August, 2007 expedition
Gadabout went on a major expedition yesterday in his continuous quest for understanding, exploration and adventure. It was decided that a survey of Lake Ontario would be made from the air to study the effects of Global warming in areas of decreasing population. To this end, I decided on Rochester NY as a starting point.

Since Gadabout is interested in aviation, I chose to fly a seaplane to observe the southern coast of Ontario. The use of a seaplane accomplished two objectives. The first was to regain currency in flying seaplanes. The second was the ability to land in the water to study water temperatures and aquatic life forms first hand. Both were a success.

My guide, Ken Lindsay, is the owner of Molly Air, Inc which operates a Lake LA-4-200 aircraft. After a briefing on aircraft systems, operating area and mission objectives we lifted our aircraft from Rochester’s (KROC) runway 22, headed north and flew along the Ontario shoreline until finding a suitable landing site. Long Pond was chosen for its favorable length and prevailing winds.

After 2 water landings, high speed taxi runs and noting the environs of Up State NY, Gadabout has determined that Global Warming has not, as of yet, disrupted Ontario or Rochester. Also noted was that very few power boats were underway, from which I infer that the local economy is under extreme economic pressures resulting from high toll road fees and excessive property taxes.

The Dog Days of Summer

Sirius, the Dog Star
Gadabout has found interest in the Dog Days of summer and how we tend to throw that phrase about without knowing the historical context. Dog Days refer to the star “Sirius” and it’s conjunction with the sun during a 40 day period from 3 July to 11 August. (Now it is making sense to you why Sirius Satellite Radio has a little doggy for a logo, isn't it?) The ancients believed that the added radiation from Sirius increased the temperature on earth that resulted in famine, disease and general irritability. They were wrong, of course, because it was the beginning of Global Warming. Their theories just didn’t stack up over time. They were stupid. Since they didn’t have television to keep them informed, they stared at the stars at night and studied their patterns, shapes and intensities. What a waste of time!

Today is 8 August, so we only have three more days of suffering the Dog’s bite, then all will be fine and dandy again. Fine and dandy for those living in the northern hemisphere because they don’t have a Sirius star in the southern latitudes to gauge summer. The North rules in this sense; much like in the outcome of the Civil War.