THE ATOMIC CANNON

Note: DO NOT leave this site without watching this gun go off. It was only a test fire, and it is impressive. The link is at the very bottom of this article, the one that ends with "cannon". Turn your sound on (this is not a trick, just part of history).

I was in Alburquerque, New Mexico, a few years ago, and I saw this gun. I have been reading Pete Townshend's novella on his blog, and the story referenced the Hiroshima bomb. The idea came to me to share knowledge of an unusual device with bloggers...

THE ATOMIC CANNON

Operation: Upshot Knothole
Shot Name: Grable
Shot number: 10
Date: May 25, 1953
Detonation: Airburst
Yield: 15 kt
Height of Blast: 524 ft
Location: Frenchman Flat - Nevada Test Site
Mark 9 Gun Weapon Sponser: Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory

The Atomic Cannon, at 280 mm, was the largest nuclear capable mobile artillery piece manufactured by the United States. On May 25, 1953, a 280 mm cannon fired an atomic projectile a distance of 7 miles at the Nevada Test Site. Twenty 280 mm cannons were manufactured. None were used in battle.

ref. www.vce.com

Wanna see it work...the cannon FIRE? Click here: http://www.vce.com/AtomicGallery/movies/cannon.html

--Dan

My First (and probably last) Gig

Here I am, on a stage at our company Christmas party about two years ago. I was "singing" a doctored version of "Big John" as a big spoof. I wrote the words. I also altered much of the music with a friend of mine and his recording equipment. It's even on a CD. It was fun.

It was a talent show, I have not performed since...not that there were no inquiries, just have not unleashed my true potential yet. Um, OK.

My Dad wrote a book!

Well, my Dad, who's picture on this blog is in a few places, has written a book. It was originally written to provide an important historical record for our family and friends. I see it has moved on to bigger things. This is not an ad to sell the book, I am just a very proud son. I know nothing of any financial or advertising arrangements my Dad has made with anybody. As I said, I am just proud to place it here, on my blog.


--Dan

My family will let not let just anybody drive our van, but there are exceptions!

This is just too funny! Mr. Pete Townshend and I, undisclosed brothers of a sort, occasionally take a spin together. We do enjoy the company. I talk his ears off, he tries to change the station on the radio. What do you suppose I always try to hear on that radio?

My sincere thanks to Justin Kreutzmann for putting that great picture together. I must also thank Pete. It is a given that when you place your image "out there", it is gone to the masses. I do trust Pete can forgive us. I suspect he will.

Remember, buckle up those seat belts...we do!

--Dan

Where were you on Sunday?

This is me. I was with my wife and two of my daughters at Lytle Creek, in the San Bernardino National Forest, California. It was around 70 degrees. On Friday, it was 90 degrees! Where IS winter?

My Vacation?

This is the picture I sent via phone camera to my fellow workers while I was on vacation in December, 2005. I had to cheer them up you know...afterall, THEY were at work, I was NOT!

It's called "a tall cold one"...the drink, not me!

Thanks to Cruz, my wife, for taking the picture. We had meatball sanwhiches, salad and fries, by the way.







This is me, on a day that that I WAS at work, but later at night...at home. What? I look happier on the working day???

--Dan

Would you like to see something man-made in space with JUST YOUR EYES?

This (image) is a sample graphic to show the tracking of the ISS (International Space Station)

This is what the website has to offer:

Welcome to the new-look Heavens-Above!
If you're interested in satellites or astronomy, you've come to the right place! Our aim is to provide you with all the information you need to observe satellites such as the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle, spectacular events such as the dazzlingly bright flares from Iridium satellites as well as a wealth of other spaceflight and astronomical information.
We not only provide the times of visibility, but also detailed star charts showing the satellite's track through the heavens. All our pages, including the graphics, are generated in real-time and customized for your location and time zone. Frequent visitors will notice we have changed the appearance of the site somewhat and added the option of user registration. This has been done to open the door to a host of new, customisable features which will be appearing over the coming months. "

ref. http://www.heavens-above.com/


We, my family and a number of friends, have seen the ISS travel overhead, BRIGHT and easily seen, on a number of occasions. Try it out. If you would like help, I am here. Also, try reading the information provided. It includes star charts.

--Dan L.

This is Funny!

A friend sent this picture to me. I have no clue what is transpiring, but it is funny!

--Dan

A Study of Dogs in Packs

This is a representative picture of dogs in a pack. The interaction and social behavior may prove somewhat obscure to the uninitiated, but the behavior exhibited is well known to those that study...Dogs in Packs.

--Dan L.

The day before Christmas...and then after!

The day before Christmas, 85 degrees. What a beautiful day! You can see the contrail from a jet that flew over in the last hour "rising" just over the 8,849 ft. peak above my garage (my house, left, Allen's on the right...otherwise known as "Sunrise Studio"). That jet may well have come from the vicinity of Edward's Air Force Base, home of many Space Shuttle landings.













The day after Christmas, 61 degrees.
Well, no sun here...it was nice while it lasted!

Christmas Day! Our church looked so nice on Christmas Eve...

Merry Christmas! Hope you all retain the hope and joy this season brings...throughout all of the coming year!

--Dan L. and Family

San Diego, Point Loma, it doesn't get much better than this!

My wife, Cruz, in the 1980's, overlooking San Diego Bay. We were at the beautiful Point Loma Visitor's Center. Do go there!

Her back is to the bay, in front of her (over a short rise) is the vast Pacific Ocean.

--Dan

This Guy, Right Here..is the Breath of The Who!

Is it just enough to say that Mr. Roger Daltrey, the big, giant voice of The Who (unless Pete or the other guys are in their slot for the song...), is The Man?

Roger is "The Man".

Here he is, while on the History Channel...I missed those episodes...darn!
I think he was in California a lot. I am so proud! He seems so REAL, I think I'd like to meet someone like him!

--Dan L.

Can Somebody Explain This to Me?

Look, I know that many famous people have played the Gibson SG guitar. I even have one. But what on earth is this all about?

Yes, that is Prince Charles. Why? I don't know!

Just when you may have thought that Dad has been around...there is more!

My Dad and my Step-Mom, in Rome (several years ago), to meet with the Pope, John Paul II. He was a truly humble, holy, and peace loving man. My parents bowed down to respect him and his office in the Church.

I thought this picture would be cool to share...after WWII, Arnold, and all the "Dad" stuff on my blog. This was truly special for them, and the rest of our family. We were not there with them, but the picture is really neat to have.

--Dan

Arnold? Even he had to meet my Dad!

Arnold has a lot going on...actor, Terminator, husband of Maria Shriver, Governer of California, and now...he meets my Dad!

That's right. On the movie set for the production of "Twins", starring Arnold and Danny Devito, my Dad's daughter (my sister Ann, and her husband, Barrett) auditioned twin boys for the role in the movie of playing the "Twins". They did not get the role, but WE got a picture!

My Dad, and the Terminator.

Gotta love it!

Stay tuned, there's more on "my Dad" to come.

--Dan

The Power of the Ocean!

The WWII era U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Bennington, some period of time after meeting up with a BIG wave while at sea. That is what I call the power of the ocean! Photo is courtesy of my Dad, an officer of the U.S. Navy.

Amazing photo, don't you think?

My Mother...I will see you again, someday

My mother, the meaning of love. I lost her in 1962. I was barely four. I will see her again, someday. She gave me life. I will do my best.

My Dad is on the blog just a scroll down, if you look. He is the best. He did remarry, several years later. She too, is wonderful. I am surrounded by goodness, and it is OK.

--Dan

In Search of Halley's Comet

The month of January, 1985 (or '86?). It was sunset on the summit of the 10, 064 ft. Mt. San Antonio (Mt. Baldy to us in Southern Calif.). This great mountain peak can be seen from all over Southern California (even Catalina Island).

The journey to the top was maybe my 25th or so...I cannot count them. It was in the fading light of the winter sun that I was in search of the vision of Halley's comet. It only comes around once in more than eighty years, so I figured I'd better get a good look.

I did not know how to locate it, back then. It was not readily visible on that particular evening. Having to leave the top of the mountain without achieving my purpose, it was to turn into a long journey home for me that day. The long trod home, the late night arrival to my new wife...it would stay in my mind for years to come.

I was not alone, by the way. I did have a friend with me. It was quite an evening...but I did love the moment....It is what I enjoyed most, and I was truly alive.

Blurry photo due to high winds, by the way.


--Dan

California, and Edward's Air Force Base...what a great place to be!

We have visited Edward's AFB many, many times in recent years. My family has come to know that place as a second home. NASA has a major presence there. The NASA tours have been very, very fun as well. Air shows, history, Cuck Yeager (first man to break the sound barrier in 1947), the SR-71 Blackbird, F-22 Raptor, B-2 bomber, you name it...it has happened here!

Here is an image of me, Dan, in front of the F-22 Raptor (with two F-117 Steath fighters in the background), at Edwards with one of my daughters, Michelle, circa 1998...or '99..?

--Dan