Author Archives: Dan

Katahdin Reflection

Posted on by

Dave, Shannon, Courtney and Dan at the Roaring Brook parking lot.

Back at the beginning of October we took our yearly hiking trip to Mt. Katahdin with Shannon and Dave. This year we backpacked to Chimney Pond and stayed in a lean to rather than camping at Roaring Brook. This allowed us to do a longer day hike which included Hamlin Peak. We backpacked in on the first day, hiked the second day, and backpacked out on the third day. The first night we had a ton of rain and strong winds, but things cleared up and we had perfect weather for our hike. The last day we hiked out in the rain unfortunately, but the clear weather for the loop was worth it.

We got a great view of the Knife Edge from Pamola Peak:

The Knife Edge viewed from Pamola Peak.

We really enjoyed adding Hamlin Peak to the loop. That area is much less crowded than Baxter Peak, and the alpine meadow is really nice (and covered with blueberries). You also get a great view on the way down with ravines on both sides. The descent from Hamlin Peak might be my new favorite Baxter Park trail.

Courtney approaching the top of Hamlin Peak.

On the last day we awoke to a perfectly still Chimney Pond. However a couple hours later for our hike out it started to rain. I got two great panoramas of the lake, including one of the reflection of the Knife Edge in the water. The water was calm enough that the different peaks are identifiable.

The Knife Edge reflecting in Chimney Pond on a calm morning.

Chimney Pond and Baxter Peak panorama.

Panasonic Vierra TH-42PZ85U Overscan

Posted on by

I’m positing this with the hope that helps someone else avoid frustration.  For several months I had overscan issues displaying HDMI from my computer on my Panasonic Vierrra TH-42PZ85U.  The TV always cut off the borders of the screen.  I searched forever for overscan options for the TV, and even tried to write custom modelines without any success.  Many posts in forums were reporting similar frustration.  However I finally found a simple solution.  On the TV, go to  Menu->Picture->Advanced Picture->HD Size.  Changing HD Size to 2 fixed the problem!

Hummingbird

Posted on by
Ruby throated hummingbird

I found a dazed ruby throated hummingbird on the ground in front of the door to the ChemE department, and nursed it back to health.

Today on the way in the front door at work, I looked down and there was a hummingbird on the ground! I almost stepped on it. It was lying on its side and seemed dazed, so I picked it up and moved it out of the way of traffic. It was a cold morning, so I brought it into the sun to warm up. Another postdoc got some sugar water, and we fed it and had plenty of time to take some great pictures while it recuperated. We suspect that it probably flew into the window. After sitting in the sun for a few hours, it flew away. What a neat experience to hold a hummingbird!