It's alive... alive!

Way back on June 3, a lightning strike knocked out a bunch of vital electronics at the University of Hawaii's 2.2-meter telescope on Mauna Kea.  After lots of work, the engineers and technicians finally got it back to normal operations this past Wednesday, and now word's gotten out to the media.

So, congrats to telescope manager Colin Aspin, engineer Bob Calder, technicians Mike and Scott, support scientist Mark Willman and operators John, Dave, Greg, Richard and Callie, on getting back on-sky!  I hope to do some observing in the near future. :)

Sunday driver

We decided to go for a leisurely Sunday drive after church, on a road we hadn't already both seen, so we went up the road to the Mauna Loa Observatory, off Saddle Road. 

We didn't see anyone around at the top to pester for a tour, so we headed back down, taking this picture along the way. On the way down, we did pass a couple operators heading up to AMiBA for the night - hi, Sarah and Tony! 

Then for lack of anything better to do, we cruised west, photographed some Blackhawks landing in Afghani...er, Pohakuloa, and wild turkeys flocking right next to the road, stopped in Waimea for food and ($4.39/gal) fuel, and came back to a dark and rainy Hilo. 

A good 151-mile road trip and a good workout for the Escape, which handled it all with aplomb.

Where my daughter and I biked today

My daughter's been visiting, and we've meant to go for a bike ride, but have been busy. This morning, we finally found the time, and went for a 12.5-mile ride around town, stopping first at Hilo Bike Hub to buy her a new helmet (the one she was wearing barely fit any more!), then out to Lehia Park at the end of Kalanianaole Avenue and back, taking shelter from a convenient passing shower at Hilo Homemade Ice Cream on the way home.