Interplanetary Superhighway (Math, Geometry, and Mars Missions)

Let's say you've got nothing else going on, and you decide to launch a mission to Mars, as you do. Technically, assuming you had the rocket and the launch pad and the range clearance, the time and money, etc, you could do that tomorrow some time. BUT, this is a little like Steven Wright's assertion…Read more Interplanetary Superhighway (Math, Geometry, and Mars Missions)

To Clean, or Not To Clean – Water in the Backcountry

A few months ago, an article published by Slate started to get a lot of attention, for suggesting that the practice of treating backcountry water sources against possible pathogens was built on myth.  No doubt it got the buzz Slate was looking for, but I pretty much ignored it at the time.  Recently though, I was pointed…Read more To Clean, or Not To Clean – Water in the Backcountry

One Year in the Blogosphere – Lessons, Trials, and Tribulations of a Social Media Noob

A year ago, I stumbled eagerly (and ignorantly) into this whole existence I call "Flying Squirrel Outdoors". My mission had nothing to do with blogging, or a social media presence - it was (and is) really about the observation that we are increasingly turning inwards toward things of our own creation.  These things are, themselves,…Read more One Year in the Blogosphere – Lessons, Trials, and Tribulations of a Social Media Noob

How Should the United States Fund its National Parks?

UPDATE:  The public comment period mentioned below has been extended to Dec 22, 2017.  If you thought you missed the opportunity to weigh in, you haven't.  Make your voice heard. The United States National Park Service has a cash-flow problem, and there don't seem to be any easy ways to solve it. Let me start…Read more How Should the United States Fund its National Parks?