Marcellus Hell

Good God, it's hot out.  I mean, really friggin' hot.  For those of you who do not know me, I do not do well in the heat.  I hate it.  I would take snow and -20 degree weather over a hot summer day ANYTIME.  I sleep better in the cold, I function better in the cold... I just feel better in the cold!  So, I sent Steve out to get a window unit AC for our bedroom.  Our house is quite warm with no central AC and the inability to open ANY windows (our current windows are ancient and crappy).  And I did I mention I have killed about 2,000 stink bugs and ants in the past 2 days???  Damn this hot weather!

Anywho, I digress with my complaining.  The whole idea of me going into the weather is to point out the simple fact that Steve and I are finally able to go flying.  We went yesterday and it was... an experience.  The weather was perfect and clear.  We wanted to fly over some areas where gas drilling is currently taking place. 

A little back story: Steve and I live in South Western, PA, specifically right over the Marcellus Shale hot spot.  For those of you who have NO IDEA what I'm talking about, get with the program and visit this link. 

Okay, so we take off and things are going well.  We fly over to Ohioville and take these shots of active drilling sites.

Active site in Ohioville



Prep site in Ohioville

 Then the nausea hits me.  Great.  I was hoping it wasn't going to happen, but it's hard to avoid when we are flying in circles in a small aircraft.  I decide to keep my head down and Steve flies south and is nice enough to land at the Washington County airport so I can pull myself together.  We land and I walk around, splash water on my face, and sit on solid land.  Ten minutes later we get back in the plane, and I'm still slightly nauseous. 

We fly over to Trax Farms and take these pictures (yes, they are drilling on Trax Farms).



See the site to the left?



It just blows my mind that I used to visit Trax all the time as a kid. And they totally sold out to the gas industry.

 Steve manages to get the plane in a nice angle so we don't have to circle, but still, the nausea comes back.  A lot of nausea.  As we fly back up north towards our home base, I'm getting sicker and sicker. 

Sh*t.  This is not good, I'm thinking to myself. 

Then I feel it.  I'm gonna barf.  I open the window in the plane (yes, tiny planes have windows that can open!) thinking I can puke outside.  Until I feel the wind hitting my face.  Um, yeah, that's not going to work.  I start gagging and heaving, and Steve throws me this random towel and tells me to puke in that.  Luckily nothing came up, except stomach acid in my esophogaus.  We finally make it back to the airport and we land safely.  I didn't actually throw up, thank God, but I came pretty close.  Needless to say, I was happy once we finally got back.

Yes, that was my big flying story from yesterday.  Aside from feeling sick, it was a good day.  We got our computer back and it is healthy and happy again!  We set up my art booth tent and it looks fabulous.  Now I am going to head upstairs and work on my art (and sweat).  I'm eagerly awaiting Steve's return so he can put our AC in our bedroom.  

Peacing out,
Nikki

Flying with Steve

A beautiful Sunday in Western Pennsylvania should never be taken for granted.  That is why Steve and I decided to go flying today!
For those of you who don't already know, my fiance Steve has his pilot's license.  As a child, he was totally fascinated with flying, and he always wanted to learn.  So, about 2 years ago, he got his pilot's license (not as easy as it sounds... it cost him a lot of money, time, and dedication).  He wishes he could fly more than he does, but busy weeks, bad weather, and rising gas prices make it a little challenging.

He belongs to a local flight club in Zelienople.  It's an affordable way to go in terms of private flying.  A bunch of members help pay for plane maintenance, shelter, etc. 



I decided to join him today so I could take some pictures (possibly inspiring some artwork, too!?!).  While he prepped the plane, I took some pics.



Steve checking fluid levels

I was a little worried when a fellow member walked by and noticed a crack in the wing thingy :) on the back of the plane.  Even though Steve assured me it wouldn't hurt us, I still worried.


Notice the two fine cracks on the right hand side of the wing?

 But not enough to stop me from getting into the plane!  A lot of people (especially women) are surprised I go flying with him.  Thank God I don't have a crippling fear of flying, and I really do trust Steve, so nothing really holds me back from getting into a little Cessna with him.



Steve waiting for me to get in the plane already!

 I really do love looking at Pennsylvania from the sky.  Here is a shot about 3 miles northeast of the airport (Butler County).  The farm lands are vast and pretty.



Butler County

 Moraine State Park is another favorite to fly over.



Moraine State Park

Here is a picture of Steve and I in flight!

My main mission today was to take some pictures of some gas drilling well pads.  Steve and I are totally against the wave of gas drilling in Pennsylvania.  I could go on and on about it, but I won't bore you with the details.  If you are interested, check out this link on Marcellus Shale gas drilling.  Bottom line is we don't know how safe the techniques for drilling are, I hate the way drilling looks, and I don't like what gas companies are doing to our environment. 

Well pad and impoundment in Butler County

I really do love Pennsylvania.  I love the woods, the nature, the hills... it's a very pretty state!  And gas drilling scares me because it threatens the existence of those very things I love about this state!!!!


Another well pad and impoundment in Butler County

This picture above disturbs me because look how close that activity is to the surrounding homes!!!  That is my worst nightmare right there.

Okay, enough of the doom and gloom.  After about an hour and a half in the air, flying all around, I started getting sick.  My inner ear doesn't do so well with changing pressure and tilting planes. :)  It sucks!  But, Steve got me down on the ground before I barfed.  Love you, Steve!

I pretty much stopped snapping pictures after that.  Aside from my nausea, this was a very fun Sunday!  I'm looking forward to the upcoming week.  I will be working my tail off getting some images ready for submissions to art shows.  Wish me luck!
Peacing out,
Nikki