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Fox and Friends September 22, 2008Leave a comment ;)
People ask me how often I take a break from riding the bike and truth of the matter is that I stop to work. Today was filled by two things; Fox Meadow Middle School and good friends! My folks departed the pattern today for points south. Most of my route from here on out will place me in locations where I will be able to find lodging. I'm still carrying all of my camping gear (minus my stove and white gas), and I will use it as necessary. I really appreciate all they have done to support me across MT, WY and CO. It was always a pleasure to see their RV parked alongside the road and food waiting for my consumption and a place to lay my head at night (and do my blog). Thanks Mom and Dad! Love you both very much! I met up with Jay and Rolf this morning and took them to one of my favorite breakfast hangouts. I ran a few errands before heading over to Fox Meadow Middle School. My most important stop was to pick up the flute that my friend Jim Gilliland made and shipped to me courtesy of general delivery. An absolutely beautiful flute with an awesome sound. The protective case is more than sufficient to prevent me from bringing harm to the flute. Jim made two of the flutes that I flew on my flight. One flute is on display in the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC and the other is on display at Epcot in Orlando, FL. Jim is Cherokee and a retired engineer from the Kennedy Space Center. He uses MATH to make each flute and the results are phenomenal. Thanks so much Jim! My talk at Fox Middle School was great. Very attentive students with some excellent questions. Matt Allner, one of the NASA Explorer School teachers at Fox, did a great job of organizing the event. I appreciate everyone's attention and helping to make it a successful presentation. Tomorrow I will head south toward Pueblo and meet up again with Denny, the Chinese lawyer. We will head across CO along the Transamerica trail along Hwy 50. It was great to spend quality time with such good friends like Jim Reilly, Rolf Fredrick and Jay Roman, but it's time to head on to OK and arrive in time for the Chickasaw Festival. Hopefully with the wind at my back... For today's math teaser, I thought I would include a link to a website that discusses the math involved in flute making. If you are interested, this is a good place to see what is required to produce a flute. http://web.archive.org/web/20070815183000/http://www.rogo.com/folkstuff/fluteinstruct.html More Images: ;)
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8 Comments
Sep 23, 2008 10:22 pm - Bob wrote : Hello John You're doing great. I know you have busy plans but While you're in Oklahoma for the celebration , you may want to come to our 2nd annual flute fest Oct 3 -5 in Tahlequah . We had some wonderful flute makers coming from all over . See www.flutefest.com Have a Great day . . . Bob
Sep 23, 2008 9:19 pm - Diedre wrote : John- I'm a student from Fox Meadows {FMMS} You got me thinking when you said you started to fly at 12 or maybe was it 13... anyway, I thought that was the coolest. I've enjoy being in planes but never really thought about flying one. Mr. Allner talked about how hard it is to land one because of all the gages and how you have to keep them at a certain point. So, got any tips on how to do it? Becuase that seems to be like a great thing to try or be a full time job. I've always enjoyed being in the air. Much Thanks, Diedre Mck.
Sep 23, 2008 9:04 pm - J&J wrote : Hi John B., We really enjoyed being with you during your trek through the mountains of Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. It was a joy to tour with you in 70 and 80 mile segments and anxiously wait for you to appear in the distance. We admire your stamina and determination but sometimes a little more anxious than when you were sitting on the pad in Endeavour back in 2002. Well, not quite that anxious, but there are lots of crazies out there. All our love, Mom & Dad
Sep 23, 2008 2:35 pm - Matt Allner wrote : John, Hey this is Matt Allner from Fox Meadow Middle. I just wanted to thank you again for coming to our school. Our students really enjoyed your presentation. So many of them commented today on how inspired they were from hearing you talk about your hobbies and your space experience. I think you helped me sell my Rock Climbing Club before I have even had the chance to start it up this year. . . and I even have students curious about learning to fly airplanes now as well. Thanks for motivating our students. Again, it was great meeting you and I look forward to seeing you in space again in the future.
Sep 23, 2008 12:35 pm - Jerry wrote : John- I just got back to your site after being on vacation in Indiana and then back home to clean up after Ike. We are doing well and I am now down at KSC for TCDT. I am really enjoying your adventure from afar. You are doing great and really bringing your message to the young people and old alike that you are visiting along the way. I'll give you a call soon. PS- I wouldn't use the flute after you let Reilly use it!
Sep 23, 2008 11:21 am - shawnie wrote : Hi John, Man are you ever covering ground. Hey let me know when and where you are to arrive in OK so I can meet up w/ you. hopefully our schedules jive. Howz the healing of your scrapes? Sad to see your parents and the RV drift away. They probably cherished every moment... Besides guitar you also play a flute. Multitalented no less.. Be safe and keep your chin to the sky!
Sep 23, 2008 10:36 am - Jim Gilliland wrote : John it was a pleasure to make the flute for you and I hope it will give you joy while you are on your trip. There is nothing more relaxing that sitting around at night and playing a flute. Anyone that would like to see John on the International Space Station in 2002 floating in space with the flute he placed in the Smithsonian Museum of the American you can go to my web site at www.jimgillilandflutes.com and click on Astronaut Flute. Thanks my friend and have a safe and pleasurable trip and I am looking forward to the day we can sit down for a few days and make flutes together again. John was one of the first people I taught to make flutes and was the best. Be Blessed & may God watch over you. Jim Gilliland Add a comment: |
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Hi John...I just wanted to add a comment. When I first heard about you and what you were doing as well as being native american I was so excited. I told my friends that "He must be native , the way he shares himself with others". We believe that is our way. I took pictures of my son James and you and we will always remember that day. My son is inspired more so and his dreams renewed. By the way, we are from the Assiniboine nation and the Fort Peck reservation in Montana and moved here 12 years ago. I am thankful for the opportunities that this area provides for my kids and I. Stay safe John ..be well and thanks again.....Pynamiya