TechnoTourist’s Engineering Expeditions

In Part 1 of TechnoTourist Vistis Maine the TechnoTourist had a chance to check out some cool hydrogen cars. Later during the vacation the TechnoTourist decided to connect with nature at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Preserve.

The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1966 in cooperation with the State of Maine to protect valuable salt marshes and estuaries for migratory birds. The refuge consists of ten divisions between Kittery and Cape Elizabeth, along 50 miles of coastline in York and Cumberland counties. When land acquisition is complete, it will contain approximately 7,600 acres.

The proximity of the refuge to the coast, and its location between the eastern deciduous forest and the boreal forest, creates a composition of plants and animals unlike any other in Maine. Major habitat types present on the refuge include forested upland, barrier beach and dune, coastal meadows, tidal salt marsh, and the distinctive rocky coast for which Maine is so well known.

The primary objective of the refuge is managing land to provide waterfowl and other migratory birds with high quality feeding, nesting, and resting habitat. A great diversity of wildlife benefits from the variety of habitats that are maintained in the refuge. The refuge and adjacent lands provide food and essential habitat for over 250 species of birds including black ducks, mallards, Canada geese, common eiders, warblers, and thrushes. In addition to the birds, the refuge supports many species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Each month provides different viewing opportunities for visitors to the refuge. The month of August features the terns leaving their nesting colonies to begin their southern migration. Blue-winged teal and seabirds migrate south along the coast. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge features a 1 mile walking trail that allows access to the unique salt marsh habitat contained in the refuge. The walking trail has 11 marked stops to point out the various features of this ecosystem including the edge of the salt marsh, the tidal flux, salt panes, and the critical edge of the upland border of the marsh.

The photos included point out some of these unique habitat features.

Tired of the view from your cubicle? Let's continue our tour of Oahu! The pristine beaches of the Hawaiian Islands are a major reason why tourists flock to this tiny island chain in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately for TechnoTourist, I had the privilege of visiting two great beaches - Waikiki Beach and the North Shore - in addition to a few others whose names are a mystery to me. But before you trade your keyboard for a surfboard, remember that even beauty has its challenges. Let's go!

Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach, located along the southern shore of the island of Oahu, is amazingly beautiful. When we flew into Honolulu, Waikiki was on our right. When we left, it was on the left. Today, it's still on our minds. In photos, the Diamond Head Crater (see Part 1 of this series) flanks Waikiki on the right, while the hotels and shopping area of downtown Honolulu flank it on the left (Pearl Harbor is even further to the left).

Waikiki Beach is across the street from many hotels, shopping centers, and restaurants. It's amazing that such beauty exists so close to such madness. The beach can get crowded as the day goes on, so if you prefer peace and quiet, it's best to come early or seek out one of the island's many other beaches. While serious surfers prefer the island's North Shore (see below), beginners can learn on Waikiki's gentler waves. If surfing isn't your thing, movies are even shown on a large outdoor screen on the beach.

Even paradise has its share of problems. For Waikiki, it's erosion issues. Fortunately, beach replenishment and groin construction have helped keep Waikiki in tip-top shape. Sand was shipped in from both Manhattan Beach and from California. So, if you're thinking about taking some authentic Hawaiian sand home as a souvenir, think again. Also, remember that you'll have to fill out a Customs form when returning to the continental U.S. from Hawaii.

North Shore

Oahu's North Shore stretches for nearly 20 miles. Known for its colossal waves, the North Shore is a haven for serious surfers. Tiny cottages on stilts dot the streets, but the beach is the main attraction. Major surfing competitions are held on Oahu's North Shore. Although TechnoTourist checked the place out, I didn't attempt to swim in the water.

For all of you Lost fans, a secluded part of the North Shore is also used to film the popular TV show! Unfortunately, however, I visited Oahu a few years before Lost was in production, or I certainly would've tried to check it out. Looks like I'll have to go back to Hawaii someday. But, first, let's have some pineapples.

Editor's Note: Click here for Part 1, where TechnoTourist visits Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor. Look for Part 3 of this multi-part series soon, right here on CR4.

Resources:

http://live.waikikitimes.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waikiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Shore_%28Oahu%29

Earlier this month the Techno Tourist had a chance to check out some really cool hydrogen cars while visiting Maine. The Maine-based Hydrogen Energy Center (HEC) and the Maine Clean Cities Program (MC2) brought several hydrogen cars to Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Models on display included vehicles made by BMW, Daimler, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen. The specific cars featured were: BMW Hydrogen Series 7, Daimler F-Cell, GM Chevy Equinox FCV, Honda FCX Clarity, Hyundai Tucson FCV, Kia Sportage FCV, Nissan X-Trail FCV, Toyota Highlander FCHV, and Volkswagen Touran, and Tiguan HyMotion.

Members of the HEC and MC2 were present to demonstrate the fundamentals of hydrogen energy and fuel cells. Hydrogen cars can be powered either by hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines or hydrogen fuel cells. An interesting fact that this Techno Tourist learned is that hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines have been around since 1807, when they were invented by Francois Isaac De Rivaz. Hydrogen fuel cells run a reverse form of electrolysis, which uses electricity to separate water into its constituent gases – hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell recombines the hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy to power the car. The zero-emission by-product is water.

Despite a lack of infrastructure and research dollars these hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are being hailed as our environmental saviors, better than hybrids. President George W. Bush dedicated $1.2 billion to hydrogen fuel technology in 2003, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has committed to building 200 hydrogen fueling stations by 2010. Most major manufacturers are pursuing hydrogen fuel cell technology; but a recent report by the US National Academies estimates that hydrogen fuel cell cars are at least 15 years away from widespread use.

To promote the hydrogen vehicles the US Department of Transportation, along with other sponsors and organizers, are taking their show on the road. The vehicles left from Portland's East End on the Hydrogen Road Tour 2008, a two-week journey across the US from Maine to California. Click here to see the tour route.

http://www.hydrogenenergycenter.org/
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/

http://www.howstuffworks.com/fuel-cell.htm

Check back later for Techno Tourists other adventures in Maine!

When you envision Hawaii, do you picture volcanoes, luaus, girls in hula skirts, and the beach? Those things are all there, of course, but there's a lot more on the islands, too! In this three-part series, TechnoTourist will explore the island of Oahu. We'll visit the city of Honolulu, as well as Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, and the North Shore (just to name a few popular places).

This week, we'll take a trip to two places near Honolulu. One is visible in most pictures of the beach, but few know its name. The other one is very well-known. Let's visit Diamond Head Crater and Pearl Harbor.

Diamond Head

Diamond Head Crater got its name from 17^th-century British sailors who thought it glittered like diamonds from their vantage point far away in the water. But it wasn't diamonds the British were looking at – it was calcite crystals in the lava rock left over from the crater's days as a volcano.

Named Laeahi ("brow of the tuna") by the ancient Hawaiians, Diamond Head Crater measures 3,520 feet across and 760 feet high. It was last active as a volcano over 150,000 years ago. In 1910, a summit observation deck was added, along with an underground complex that extended four levels to serve as a command post, and a 580-foot tunnel for easier access. Cannons were hidden in the crater to protect the end of the island from attack.

We drove in through the tunnel and then hiked partway up. In January, the land was barren, but there certainly was a nice view!

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is on the opposite end of Honolulu. After getting lost, we managed to find it - in a very pretty park. Pearl Harbor is still a naval base, too, so you'll have to go through security if you want to check out the USS Missouri (a ship that is now a museum) and the USS Arizona War Memorial (which you have to take a small boat to reach). There was also an on-land museum about World War II and Pearl Harbor, with a short film.

Recently, a team has been performing diagnostic checks on the USS Arizona. Specifically, they've been examining the thickness of the hull, structural effects of the deadly blast and fire, and the effects of internal and external corrosion. The crew wants to ensure the safety of the USS Arizona for its 1.5 million annual visitors, and to make sure that it'll be around as a memorial for a long time.

Editor's Note: Click here for Part 2, when TechnoTourist will visit Waikiki Beach and the North Shore!

Resources:

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/diamond_head.html

http://www.nps.gov/usar/

http://www.pastfoundation.org/Arizona/HullThickness.htm

Xcaret is a self-proclaimed ecological theme park in Playa del Carmen, a seaside resort just south of Cancun, Mexico. Located right on the ocean, it's a beautiful setting and a great place to relax. The hammocks scattered throughout the park are especially nice if you're tired from exploring the animals and ocean.

Water Works – Ancient Nature

Xcaret (commonly pronounced Esch-car-ay, although there are variations) is a place where you could easily spend more than one day. On my day trip there, I saw some small Mayan ruins and an underground river. You can explore the underground rivers and lagoon inside the park, and also enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving off the reef just outside the park.

Lakes and rivers on the Yucatan Peninsula are few and far between, so the ancient Mayans relied on other water sources, mainly the ceonotes (sink holes or water holes) that are surfaces to underground bodies of water. Ceonotes act like natural wells. They are formed when rock dissolves and water makes its way to the surface, creating the opening at the top. The ancient Mayans also used these water holes as places of sacrifice, believing that ceonotes were gateways to the afterlife. Today, Xcaret's ceonotes are popular with cave divers.

Animal Life - Preservation

For me, Xcaret was beautiful not just because of its coastline and scenery, but also because of its animal life. On our trip, we saw many different animals - many of which are endangered species. The animals of Xcaret include jaguars, dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, all types of birds, horses and burros, deer, fish, and many others. The habitats are large and natural, and the park is mainly a free-walking tour (unless you arrange for a guide). The birds live together in large habitats – so do many of the animals (except for the predators, of course). There is also an aquarium, dolphin pools (you can swim with them, or just walk around the edge of the pier), and manatee pools, too.

Xcaret also has a program in which sea turtles grow up in tanks of various sizes and then are released into the wild when they're big enough. It was interesting to see these turtles at the different phases of their lives – from the size of a fist up to the size of a computer monitor or bigger. The sea turtle program showed that Xcaret is not just about tourism. It's about preserving a piece of Mexico's nature, too.

Resources:

http://www.xcaret.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cenotes#Cenotes_and_the_Maya

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