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Finding Your Way: San Jose
January 5th, 2010 by James Pynn, under Vacations. No Comments
San Jose doesn’t figure prominently with most people’s idea of a tourist destination. That’s easy to understand given the fact that the Golden State has its fair share of world-renown attractions. Between Hollywood Boulevard (which is under-whelming in its lack of glitz and glamor) and the Golden Gate Bridge (again, somewhat of a let-down), most people come to California expecting to rub shoulders with the stars.
There is a mystic allure to California. The truth of the matter is that it’s kind of like most other states — expect there’s more going on. There’s movie magic in the south and quaint Bohemia in the north. The stage is set for a city like San Jose. It’s big enough to qualify as a big city, but still quaint enough to convey a small-town feel. Most people, even native Californians, fail to realize San Jose is the third largest city in the state.
So, you’re in town — where do you go? What to do? First off, let’s make sure you’ve got your lodging squared away. Most hotels in San Jose managed to blend the best aspects of the city: cozy, but with scope. The perfect spot all depends on what your fun targets are. If you’re looking forward to an NHL game, for example, you’ll want a hotel in the vicinity of the Shark Tank, nestled in the wake of the Norman Mineta International Airport.
If you want that quintessential California experience of cruising down palm-tree lined boulevards while digging on breathtaking views of the harbor are more you delight, you can’t go wrong saddling up to the Lakewood and Renaissance neighborhoods. You’ll be surprised to find a host of landmarks that can go toe-to-toe with the Hollywood sign or Russian Hill. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum comes to mind. Ever wonder what it would be like to walk the Temple at Thebes? The museum is probably the closest you’re going to get.
Are you a history buff? Love architecture? For a gorgeous glimpse of Spanish colonial architecture, you should swing by the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph. This Californian marvel was built in 1803, making it the first church built in the state not affiliated with a mission. And yes, San Jose is Spanish for Saint Joseph. If you happen to be visiting in the summer or spring, you should have a refreshing splash at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Just be sure you bring a towel.
If you’re searching for hotels in San Jose, you can book and tour the best and most affordable online.
Benefitting All: GPS
November 8th, 2009 by James Pynn, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
The Soviets had threatened to dominate space well before the Eagle had landed. When the Soviet Space Program successfully sent Sputnik into orbit in 1957, the so-called free world was in a panic. Congress reacted with swiftness reserved for a national crisis. Indeed, for many Americans, the perceived superiority of the Soviet program was tantamount to a crisis. President Eisenhower moved quickly to establish both NASA and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) in 1958.
The motto declared “For the Benefit of All,” but NASA moved quickly for the American public when it launched the Explorer 1 satellite on January 31, 1958. Led by the former head of the German rocket program, Wernher von Braun, NASA immediately began to explore the possibility of sending human beings into space. Dubbed Project Mercury, this program involved seven original astronauts, of whom, Alan Shepard became the first American into space, while John Glenn would become the first American to orbit the earth.
In 1983, a Soviet interceptor aircraft shot down the civilian Korean Air airliner KAL 007, killing all 269 people on board. The plane had strayed into Soviet airspace and although the Soviet had probable cause to destroy the perceived threat, it was determined had the airliner had accurate navigational systems, the tragedy could have been avoided. President Ronald Reagan subsequently announced that civilians and civilian agencies should have access to the GPS tracking systems.
The system involved the use of satellites to track the position and location of both spacecraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Initially developed by the Navy, the first successful GPS tracking system was dubbed Transit, and used five satellites to triangulate positions around the globe. It was soon capable of tracking intercontinental ballistic missles moving at incredibly high rates of speed.
GPS racking devices have become an integral part of modern 21st Century life. Not only has it become the preeminent navigational system for cars, but the scientific community has used it to track wild and domestic animals and migration patterns. Law enforcement uses GPS tracking to find stolen cars and keep tabs on criminals on bail or probation. Now, not only can someone find where they are on a city grid, but also he or she can find nearby businesses and restaurants.
Locating a GPS tracking device these days is as easy as turning your cell phone one.