Day 3972

There was a heavy fog when we started walking this morning. As the fog started to lift, the sun appeared as a pale white disk behind the thick clouds. A little later, patches of blue sky began to appear overhead. There was a light breeze and falling leaves rustled along the ground. With each passing day, I see more Fall color as the trees continue to turn. The temperature was a little warmer than yesterday and a light jacket kept me warm. Basically, it was a perfect Fall day.

With weather like this, it's hard to imagine that there's a hurricane developing just south of Miami. No one seems certain where tropical storm ETA will go next, but there's a growing chance that it might impact next weeks Crew-1 launch. The launch is still on schedule, but Kennedy Space Center is definitely going to get some rain in the next few days. I hope the storm weakens or changes direction. I'd really hate to arrive in Florida in the middle of a hurricane.

NASA doesn't appear to be worried at this point. I watched the astronauts arrive at the Space Center on NASA TV this morning. I paid a little more attention than usual to this broadcast because some of these virtual events will wind up in my story about the launch. Covid restrictions have reduced the number of in-person events prior to the launch, but I'm going to try to see as much as I can. I got an e-mail with badging instructions and a list of events today. There are still a number of events I can participate in as long as tropical storm ETA doesn't decide to spoil the party.

I wasn't very industrious today, but I did try to fix the shower drain so it couldn't get clogged by hair anymore. I failed. When I took a shower later in the day, the hidden mesh filter I installed under the drain cover immediately clogged and the shower floor filled with water. It's back to the drawing board with this idea. Unfortunately, far too many of my projects end this way. 

Since it was a nice day, the park was crowded this afternoon. I've noticed lots of people taking family and engagement pictures. Every afternoon there are dozens of photographers taking pictures. Why now? It's as if everyone decided to do these portraits at the same time. There are lots of things I don't understand at the park. I certainly don't understand the hammock people. On a nice day there will be dozens of hammocks strung between trees. For the most part, people just sit in these hammocks and look at their phones. Often they bring dogs with them The dogs don't get walked, they just sit under the hammocks or are tied to a tree.

I prefer to stay active. After several long walks, I methodically begin charging batteries. I'm still not sure which cameras I'll take, so I just charged everything. I'm wondering if I should go buy a light weight raincoat. I thought I had one, but I can't find it. I don't like the idea of shooting pictures in the rain, but I have no control over the weather. Realistically, if the weather is bad, they'll just cancel the launch. Rockets have launched in the rain before though. I need to be ready for anything. I will bring a tripod this time. You definitely need a tripod for a night launch.

I have few complaints today. The weather was beautiful, Janet fixed a delicious dinner, and Dawn was in a good mood. Hopefully, tomorrow will be more of the same.

Spot is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day