Fly Your Motorcycle To Work
With my miserable 49 mile commute to work every day, I’ve been constantly wishing I had a way to turn my drive into a flight. The Moller Skycar has, of course had me dreaming since I first saw it, but its been vaporware so long that I have all but given up. Furthermore, there is now evidence that the company might be scamming investors, and with a price tag of$500,000 to $1,000,000, I can’t imagine buying one even if they hit showrooms tomorrow.
The Super Sky Cycle made by Butterfly Gyroplane, might just be the ticket though. It can take off and land in just a few feet, making it handy for flying to places that don’t have an airport. It can fly at a top speed of 100 MPH, meaning I could get to work much much faster than the 1 + hour it takes me now. An for the best part, you can fold up the rotors once you land and drive it in motorcycle mode to your final destination! I have to wonder if it will fit into a standard parking space.
My days of driving to work aren’t quite over though… I will still have to save my pennies if I’m going to pony up the $37,195.00 to buy one. Still, the Super Sky Cycle is the most promising alternative to driving I’ve been able to find so far.
Hat Tip: Roderick for the pointer!
The Last Monarch?
When I was a kid living in Reno, Monarch butterflies were almost as common as grasshoppers. I used to take them for granted, but now they have become so rare that seeing one is a real treat.
Last weekend, I noticed one flying around some clover flowers and quickly grabbed my camera to shoot some photos. I must have taken over 100 shots, but only a few came out looking good. For a long time I was under the impression that the Monarch’s decline was attributable to Monsanto’s genetically engineered Round Up Ready corn, which is whipping out hundreds of ancient species of Maize throughout Mexico and South America. It turns out, however, that this is only part of the story, and that illegal deforestation of the Monarch’s overwintering grounds has also had a devastating impact on this amazing species.
Efforts to classify the Monarch as a protected species and to restore its habitat are under way, and interestingly, Mexican authorities have predicted a drastic improvement its population for the 2005-2006 season. I can’t speak for the butterfly’s population as a whole, but I, personally have seen many more Monarchs this year than I have for a very long time.
Let’s hope they really are coming back!
