Rapid fizzle

Well we made it to Freeport to meet up with the Acadiana. All was good except for the mounting plate for our multibeam system, there was no power, debris everywhere, missing cables for the multitude of screens we had for viewing all the instrumentation we had and the mosquitoes were larger than herons. We fixed everything before departing the next morning to Galveston through the intracoastal waterway. The mounting plate issue was the real problem. We are lucky that Freeport is an industrial town. Found a welding mecca that is open 24/7/365 for the lovely chemical processor Dupont. They did a quick welding job for us and we were glad to front them some beer money for their efforts. After departing Freeport early with no navigation within the channels, which meant cruising after dark was a big no no. We saw quite a bit of damage from afar on the west side of Galveston but pictures were no help. When we got to the I-45 bridge at 0930 the railroad bridge was down and had a tow boat waiting on the other side. We radioed the bridge and found out they were not going to open the bridge until noon. Well that sucks. So we were in the process of tieing up next to the bridge when they decided to open it. Guess the workers needed a break. We got through but about 10 minutes later we felt a strange vibration and then the steering went out. Turns out we lost a wheel. That is a propeller to you landlubbers. Broke the shaft and struck the rudder which took out the steering. The captain had to take a swim to verify all this. We were able to fix the steering as a hose came loose on the hydraulics, but it made an awful racket for the rest of the trip. We limped around on one engine the rest of the trip which was cut very short of the original 8 days we were suppose to be out. Only 2 days of data and we stayed inside the inlet (Bolivar). Our goal was to get out on the Gulf side but it was way to rough to risk it on one engine. We did get some nice data for the time we were there, but it was that strange feeling of Katrina all over again. As we departed Galveston seeing all the workers lining up to clean. It really wasn't too bad but there were some historical losses. Not sure of the casualty count but I don't think the authorities really want that number to come out. Eiree feelings all around as we were trying to do science and not helping with more pressing issues. I hope they can recover as soon as they can, but they should know now that the seawall there isn't as safe as they think it is. Just like the levees back home.

Rapid response

No ride today as we are preparing for a possible rapid response to the big storm brewing in the Gulf. We will go if we can get the funding to support us and be able to function most likely in Galveston. Big G may get washed away or a real good flushing. Anyway we will probably spend a week down there looking at breached shore faces and collecting siesmic data and cores from the bottom from our small research vessel. Just hope the storm isn't too damaging for the people there, but I think they are in for some trouble. LA coast is also getting hammered and wish we could help out there but now a state employee for TX and that doesn't fly here. Sucks!

Ike

LA coast will get battered again. Why can't this one just hit Houston... Here is a message from the NWS for Vermilion parish...

ACROSS VERMILION LIFE THREATENING INUNDATION LIKELY!

ALL NEIGHBORHOODS... AND POSSIBLY ENTIRE COASTAL COMMUNITIES... WILL BE INUNDATED DURING HIGH TIDE. MANY RESIDENCES OF AVERAGE CONSTRUCTION DIRECTLY ON THE COAST WILL BE DESTROYED. WIDESPREAD AND DEVASTATING PERSONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE IS LIKELY ELSEWHERE. VEHICLES LEFT BEHIND WILL LIKELY BE SWEPT AWAY. NUMEROUS ROADS WILL BE SWAMPED... SOME MAY BE WASHED AWAY BY THE WATER. ENTIRE FLOOD PRONE COASTAL COMMUNITIES WILL BE CUTOFF... PERHAPS FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. WATER LEVELS MAY EXCEED 9 FEET FOR MORE THAN A MILE INLAND. CONDITIONS WILL BE WORSENED BY BATTERING WAVES. SUCH WAVES WILL EXACERBATE PROPERTY DAMAGE... WITH MASSIVE DESTRUCTION OF HOMES... INCLUDING THOSE OF BLOCK CONSTRUCTION. DAMAGE FROM BEACH EROSION COULD TAKE YEARS TO REPAIR.

Looks like my parents will be on a true island once again. Makes you want to leave but then where does all that good seafood come from?

Texass riders

What is it with you guys? Never a warning when passing or even a "Hello". Just like this morning commuting to work with my messenger bag slung over my back. I slowed to allow a motorist to make their unexpected right turn across my path and lo and behold a TX cyclist, non commuter, blows by me on the left. Just irritated me. So I caught him and drafted until the red light a mile up the road when I cruised up and sarcastically said "Hello". Caught him off guard and he just waved. Maybe there is hope for them. I always preach safety and courtesy to fellow riders. Just don't want to ride with jerks.

Gustav

This doesn't look promising for NOLA. Man o man they don't need any storms like this. Or will the same roll of the dice as usual take place and the storm will change course at the last minute and swamp some unfortunate small town in lower LA or MS. In any case this one will pack a punch. Just go away Gustav! There are many more spinning off Africa and this isn't going to be a nice season. Batten down the hatches it's going to be a bumpy ride! Speaking of ride, well I didn't get one today. I was fixing a flat on my commuter and blew the tube up in my face. Idiot, didn't check the other side of the tire before pumping it up. When I picked up the wheel after pumping it up it was too late to let the air out. Felt the bulge get bigger and bigger then braced for the BANG! No spare tube so off to the shop during lunch for another as I am heading out to our boat for some maintenance. We are suppose to be in LA the week after next for some work. Stay away Gustav! Here we are doing some work in the Mississippi River just below the French Quarter. Fun fun!

Weight lifting

Got to work on our new floor in the guest room this weekend. Ripped out the carpeting our new dog had used his artistic talents on and got started on the new engineered flooring to match our flex space. Well after two long days of deep knee bends and scrubbing up glue I am sore. Not the I just feel achy stuff, I mean the soreness you get from lifting heavy weights for the first time after a long layoff. My thigh haven't hurt this much in decades. I remember the return to school and getting back into shape from the summer layoff for swimming. Ouch! I am feeling it now and I didn't touch a barbell or any kind of weight apparatus. Just those deep knee bends and squatting for hours on end will do it. I did ride into work although it was quite slow. I hope it gets some of this lactic acid moving. right now my thighs are burning. It's kind of nice but I would rather be back in school with this feeling instead of having to be responsible and put in a full work day. Come to think of it, work really does suck. I guess it wouldn't be called work if it was always fun.

Pete

Got a call from my good friend Pete yesterday. He just returned to the states after a few months stay in Norway for his wifes sabbatical. turns out they had a great time in the arctic. You can have it, I prefer the warmth of the south. Sometimes I think he is coldblooded. After his research in Antarctica I think he would wear shorts in a blizzard. Well it was great to hear from him and I hope he can finish up his PhD work this year. I know his wife would be happy to see that. Good luck Pete!
The ride in today was fairly nice. A little cooler than normal. Found an easy route with only a few stop lights and very few cars. I don't think a car passed me for the middle 10 miles and this is in the city. Pretty amazing. I did go 6 for 12 even with the new route. Most of the reds coming in the first 3 miles. Hope the ride home is as nice.