I had kind of a wild day yesterday, covered quite a bit of ground. I found myself climbing metal rungs up the inside of the campanile tower, then later up in the organ loft in the chapel. I spent the afternoon doing research in the archives, trying to understand what I had just seen. There’s a lot to tell, but when I got home and sat down to write a post about it, I discovered that our cable was out. No television, no <gasp> internet! It was pretty sad, but I wound up sitting and having a fun conversation with my daughter and her friend, Zoe, so I guess it is possible to have a meaningful life without cable access. Still, I was glad to find it back on this morning.
I’ve overslept and have got to get going here, so I’ll save my fabulous post about the organ and carrilon for this evening. In the meantime, here are a couple of short items:
First off, in my earlier post about LBJ landing on campus with no warning, I wondered whether
the helicopter in this picture was taking off or landing. At least one reader was actually paying attention, took the trouble to make an inquiry, and sent me this a few days later:
“Melissa,
I forwarded your question about the helicopter photo to my helicopter friend, guru and consultant. Also holder of the speed record for flying around the world in a helicopter. Twice, once in each direction: www.bowerhelicopter.com/
As usual with Ron, you get a little more than you pay for which, of course, is nothing. Hope this resolves the age-old issue…coming or going?
Mike
MIKE – THE HELICOPTER SHOWN IS A SIKORKSY (S-3 OR H-3), ACTUALLY OF THE SAME MODEL CURRENTLY STILL IN USE, SOME 50 YEARS LATER. THESE WERE USED IN VIETNAM AS RESCUE HELICOPTERS IN THE EARLY PART OF THE WAR BY THE USAF AND USN. THESE HELICOPTERS COULD LAND ON EITHER LAND OR WATER. I UNDERSTAND THAT ONE REASON THEY STILL REMAIN IN SERVICE AS THE PRESIDENTIAL HELICOPTER IS THE NEWER, MORE POWERFUL HELICOPTERS BLOW OVER THE POTTED PLANTS IN THE ROSE GARDEN WHEN THEY COME IN TO PICK UP THE PRESIDENT.
I BELIEVE THE SECOND PICTURE IS LIKELY ON-TAKE-OFF BASED ON THE NOSE AND ROTOR SYSTEM BEING TILTED FORWARD TO INCREASE FORWARD THRUST.
NORMALLY ON LANDING THE NOSE WOULD BE HIGHER, AND THE ROTOR DISC TILTING AFT. IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT THE HELICOPTER IS JUST HOVERING TO FIND THE BEST (SMOOTHEST AND FLATTEST) LANDING SPOT.
HOPE IT HELPS – REMEMBER YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR IN CONSULTING.
RON
As always, I’m grateful for the help!

Melissa,
My wife and I were married in the Rice chapel on May 7, 2005. I looked at our wedding pictures today and saw that the chandelier was in place on that day.
Thanks for all the posts! I really enjoy them.
Gary
I can help a little more re: the chandelier. I just checked our wedding photos, and it was there in February, 1977.
Also, I sent this page to my brother-in-law, who was a helicopter pilot during Vietnam, since I knew he’d enjoy the chopper stuff. He definitely agrees with Ron that the craft is taking off. As he said, “If it was is still hovering trying to find a better spot, I doubt the nose would be so low.”
I really enjoy the blog!
I heard a crusader’s cross was embedded in that lamp. I never tracked down the source of that information.