Hoyt Clagwell

On Saturday, I hiked part of a trail I hadn't been on before.

It was a nice hike, and I actually ended up running a pretty good chunk of it. I was hoping to see some gorgeous fall colors, but Centennial Cone Park isn't exactly chock-a-block with Aspens.

But there was a little color, and some nice vistas. The weather was dandy, the trail mostly dry, and the pumas and sasquatches who might have been watching me were kind enough to let me pass unimpeded.

This trail is an "alternate use" trail; which means that no bikes are allowed on odd-numbered weekend days -- but you must be on wheels on the even days. I may have to take my mountain bike out there one of these days. Most of the trail was wide and not that steep.



One more photo, and then we'll move on to the educational parts. But first, my polarized sunglasses revealed some interesting patterns in the trail ice. (Yes, I did hold my shades over the camera lens...I didn't expect it to work this well. Groovy little rainbows.)



I may not be one who knows how to "wake up and smell the coffee", but I'm pretty good when it comes to noticing weird stuff I might want to avoid stepping in.

Anyway, the Miracle of America Museum made me think about interesting devices with names that may not be universally recognized. So I thought I'd ask you guys if you can identify the definitions of a few of these terms. Answers will be posted in a future blog. Question 1 is a gimme:

1. What is a flux capacitor?
A. Tim Allen's favorite power tool
B. The energy source for Tron's motorcycle
C. An idea related to slippery toilets
D. A Dr. Seuss musical instrument

2. What is Hoyt Clagwell?
A. An alias for a Fordson farm implement
B. A lesser-known droid that carries holographic messages
C. The actor who played "Jaws" in the James Bond movies
D. The beer on tap at Moe's Tavern

3. What is a Jeffries tube?
A. Philo T. Farnsworth's most famous invention
B. A vacuum pipe that banks use for drive-through deposits
C. A musical instrument for the Blue Man Group
D. A place where crawling Scotsmen say "I canna dew it!"

4. What is Twikki?
A. Mel Blanc's worst career decision
B. A really horrifying robot from outer space
C. Ambuquad 22-23-T
D. All of the above

5. What is a Walther PPK?
A. The disease that forces Dr. House to use a cane
B. The guitar that Ted Nugent plays
C. James Bond's gun
D. The model number for Maxwell Smart's shoe phone

6. What is an interocitor?
A. The badge on Picard's shirt that lets him talk to the Enterprise
B. A communication device from the planet Metaluna
C. An Ekosian Nazi who harshly questions Zeon prisoners
D. The Y-shaped light bulb thingy that makes time travel possible

7. What is a Mondoshawan?
A. Good-hearted space monster that foils Gary Oldman
B. An Asian priest, like Kwai Chang Caine
C. Microbes that give the Skywalker family an unfair advantage
D. The Muslim name for basketball player Chris Jackson

OK, that's it for today. The weather is supposed to change, so perhaps my next post will feature pictures of rain and/or snow (with or without polarized sunglasses filters.) I'm looking forward to it; hope you are, too. Have a great day!