U.S. Space & Rocket Center

I recently got a chance to visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. It was an amazing experience. The initial inside exhibits were fun (starting with a look at sci-fi in pop culture, from magazines to Star Trek to Star Wars)—my personal favorite was "Mannequin Skywalker"—but it got even better when you went outside. Two Saturn rockets (a I and a V) were impressive, and the various space station, missile, and aircraft displays were also cool. The highlight, though, was Saturn V Hall, which had a second rocket, on its side, with the separate stages on full display. That hall also had SkyLab models, Apollo 16's capsule, and an Apollo 12 lunar rock sample. 

We had only 90 minutes to enjoy the museum before it closed, and we used every minute. We could have spent longer—there were films to watch and more interactive exhibits—but were pleased with what we got to see and would heartily recommend a stop, even if you can spare only an hour.

The Last Unicorn (Peter Beagle)

There is one unicorn left. Pondering what has become of her kind, the immortal creature leaves the sanctuary of her forest home to find the answer. Along the way, she gains unexpected companions and a fearsome task: to confront a formidable creature devoted to her kinds' extinction. Regardless of outcome, the unicorn enchants all in various ways, but perhaps one said it best: "I never looked at you without seeing the sweetness of the way the world goes together, or without sorrow for its spoiling."

Enchanting, haunting, thought-provoking, powerful. Considered one of the top fantasy books of all-time, I see why. A poignant portrait of both beauty and brokenness. There are echoes of the gospel here: the vanity of Ecclesiastes, the well that doesn't satisfy, the beauty of Christ. Highly recommended.

Rating: A

Salt Lake City

I recently got a chance to visit Salt Lake City, Utah. It was my first time in the state. Though the visit was short, and I didn't get to see a lot, I enjoyed what I did see.

Driving south of the city, we attempted to take Rt. 92 east to Sundance. Alas, the road was blocked (the snow had not yet melted off the mountain passes), but we enjoyed the scenery anyway.

After that, we headed north. Salt Lake City lies in a valley between two mountain ranges. Ensign Peak is the best place to see the city (and, I'm told, where the original Mormons first beheld the valley and decided to call it home). Streetside parking was available, and we liked the short hike to the viewpoint (beware the thin air, though). We also enjoyed walking around the downtown area. 

Utah is an interesting mix of mountain and desert regions. I enjoyed the experience and hope to return some day to explore the rest of the state.

The Maltese Falcon (Dashiell Hammett)

When a damsel in distress explains the trouble she is in, Detective Sam Spade knows something is wrong with the story, but he and his partner take the case anyway. The plot thickens quickly as murder, betrayal, and shady characters mix their way into the adventure. Does Spade have what it takes to figure out the truth?

An American classic, I am wondering if this is the first detective noir story. It certainly has all the elements if the genre. It was an interesting read, full of twists, and the protagonist is certainly unique. Well done overall,  though hard to read in places.

Rating: A-

Erebus (Michael Palin)

Built in 1826, the HMS Erebus didn't do much of note until its 1839-43 Antarctic expeditions, where she ventured further south than anyone had ever been. That success made her an obvious choice to go the other direction in 1845, looking for the Northwest Passage. She was never seen again. Many search attempts yielded little until years later, when graves, cairns, tins, and other evidence eventually revealed that the crew had survived until 1848, when they abandoned ship. They were all dead by 1850. The Erebus was found just 36 ft under water in 2014.

This is a great book. Any journeys into the polar regions are filled with both dreadful suspense and epic boredom, and author Palin did a good job knowing when to dwell on, and when to accelerate, the story. The harrowing but successful journeys in the Antarctic then shift to the optimism, then panic, then searches in the Arctic. It is a fascinating look at the age of discovery, science at the time, polar adventures, and the goals of an age.

Rating: A

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (Eugene Peterson)

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction studies the fifteen Psalms (120-134), known as the Songs of Ascents, which were likely sung as Hebrew Pilgrims would make their way to Jerusalem for holy festivals. Eugene Peterson devotes a chapter to each Psalm and uses them as a way to cover some (not all) components of Christian discipleship. For, as he says, the Christian is both a disciple (a learner apprenticed to Jesus) and a pilgrim (a "people who spend our lives going someplace, going to God"), and studying these Psalms looks at elements of each. "It [these Psalms] is our best background for understanding life as a faith-journey . . . they provide a way to remember who we are and where we are going." They cover topics like repentance, providence, worship, service, help, security, joy, work, happiness, perseverance, hope, humility, obedience, community, and blessing.

A classic Christian work (written 40+ years ago), I thought this was okay. Some chapters, insights, or quotes were profound and helpful. Others seemed only okay or off the mark (I suspect Peterson and I differ on some elements of theology). Ultimately, I did appreciate the 'authenticity' of the writing: Peterson does a good job highlighting the harsh realities of walking in faith that some Christians avoid or gloss over. So while I think other works may cover this topic better, it's not a bad place to start, especially for new Christians.

Rating: B

Mistborn (Brandon Sanderson)

In a world of ash and mist, Vin ekes out a difficult existence in a thieving band, but what choice does she have? She is a skaa, a people long downtrodden and under the thumb of the Lord Ruler, his Inquisitors, and the nobles that control the economy of the Final Empire. Abandoned by those she held dear, she has learned to trust only in betrayal and focus only on survival. But no empire lasts forever . . . 

Kelsier is Mistborn: an allomancer able to control all eight metals. He uses his powers to take down nobles, steal supplies, and foment discontent in Luthadel and beyond. With a small band, he contemplates how to encourage the skaa to rise up against their evil rulers. But what hope do they have against such might? 

As Vin falls in with Kelsier's band, she is about to discover a power within herself. And though the band's odds are slim and goals impossible, she's learning to trust . . . and hope.

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I really enjoyed this fantasy book, the first of a trilogy. Sanderson builds an interesting world, characters with realistic emotions and exchanges, and produces a story with surprising twists. And I love how he does so without gratuitous violence, profanity, or sex. A few places moved a touch fast, but this is solid and recommended.

Rating: A