Led a group of amazing people down the Yampa River last week, including two of my daughters, one of whom was on their first multi day trip. Perfect conditions. It was incredible, from great scenery and wildlife to big rapids and camp fun (hikes, cards, and glow in the dark bocce ball). Sweet memories I'll cherish forever.
Testing my pack raft in my 17-year-old backpack to see if I need to get a new one. Seems to have done okay. It doesn't fit as elegantly as I had hoped, but it does fit, and there's still plenty of room for clothes and food. Camp gear stored around it no worries.
L1 certification flight of my first high powered rocket, "Commodore." I made all the parts with the laser cutter or 3D printers in the AHS Creativity Lab except for the tubes, shock cord and parachute. Fins and nose are based on the classic Apogee Rockets "Zephyr" design. Flew on a H123W-8 motor out at Frank Hunt Field at the first UROC flight of 2025. Altitude target of 1477 ft; probably didn't reach it because the ejection charge was a little shy of apogee. But it came down nicely, maybe a little on the fast side. I may need a larger parachute for launches with heavier payloads. Pretty low-g ascent, so it looks like I can fly J motors no problem with this thing. I have a goal of building my own motor and flying it in this rocket. I need L2 certification for that though.
#ahsrocketclub #rocketry #uroc #ahs #ahscreativitylab #nar #tripoli
She lives! My students got lights, sound, network, and controls all going. Still needs a little polish, but you could fly in it right now. We did our first test flight in it today and it was beautiful. First real flights are on Monday! #ahs #ahsdiscoveryspacecenter
Testing out the composite fuel motors. Our thrust stand registers it as a G55 motor. We tested it out in the desert and got a perfect flight to about 750 m we think ( we didn't want to risk the altimeter!). And of course, the only way to responsibly dispose of the waste fuel is to burn it up! AHS rocket club boys loved that part. #ahs #ahsrocketclub
Trying to help with the school play set in AHS Creativity Lab this weekend. Daddy Warbucks desk was looking too Hannigan Orphanage, so we devised a plan to cover it with paneling that looked like wood. We found some Home Depot shaker cabinet fronts and then when trying to find the right paint, the Home Depot worker happened to be a faux painter and told us exactly what colors, brushes, gel stains, techniques, etc. to use. Always helps to ask!
#ahs #ahscreativitylab
