#108 - Adventures in Commuting

I recently stumbled across a blog post about the world’s worst roads at

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2006/11/most-dangerous-roads-in-world.html

The primary feature of this article was a mountain road in Belize. Before reading this blog, I coincidentally received an e-mail from a friend of a friend who was on this exciting road. I use term ‘exciting’ loosely because it would only apply if you find near-death experiences to be exhilarating.

The Nova offices in New York, USA and in Hamilton, Canada also have some geographical features that affect local traffic. But thankfully nothing that would qualify us for the blog post mentioned above.

Hamilton “Mountain”

Some of the staff at our Canadian office have to descend and ascend the Hamilton “Mountain” on their journey to and from work every day. Hamiltonians call it the “Mountain” but its height (100m / 330ft) and bearing would make drivers in Belize laugh scornfully. The Hamilton Mountain is actually part of a 725km / 450mile long escarpment or cliff formed by erosion. This escarpment essentially represents the shoreline of an ancient tropical sea that existed there about 450million years ago. This was before Nova established its Hamilton office.

The Hamilton Mountain can be conquered using one of several broad roadways traversing the slope. The more energetic among us can take the stairs for some good exercise.

USA Office

Our US office is located in the town of Niagara Falls, New York. The escarpment mentioned above has conspired with the Niagara River to produce a natural wonder called Niagara Falls. The Niagara Falls are the most powerful waterfalls in North America. On average, about 150,000 U.S. Gallons / 567,811 Liters per second of water flows in the Niagara River toward the Falls. (Portions of this flow are diverted for hydroelectric power generation).

The sheer immensity and power of the Falls have prompted numerous endeavors of artistic admiration over the years. One curious group of artists has found meaningful expression in conquering the Falls without such things as bridges, boats, or observation decks. This tradition was started in 1829 when a daredevil jumped from a high tower into the gorge below the falls and survived. Numerous others have attempted to go over the falls in barrels and other purpose-built craft. Some have crossed the river gorge leading up to the falls or even the falls itself via tightrope, including recently by Nik Wallenda on June 15, 2012. Most Nova employees generally avoid these methods of crossing Niagara Falls and simply take the bridge.

Nik Wallenda's impressive crossing of the falls
on June 15, 2012. 

Speaking of hydroelectric power generation, Nova makes hydrogen analyzers for power generators. I suspect some of our equipment is likely in use at the Niagara Falls power stations. Check it out:

http://www.nova-gas.com/hydrogen_purity_analyzer_models.html

We make gas analyzers for oxygen, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and many other atmospheric gases. We provide gas analysers for syngas, landfill gas, purity gas, biogas, and others.

For information on these and other gas analyzer systems, give Mike or Dave at Nova a call, or send us an e-mail.

1-800-295-3771

sales at nova-gas dot com

websales at nova-gas dot com

http://www.nova-gas.com/

https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS

http://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-analytical-systems-inc-

http://www.tenovagroup.com/

Belize roads:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SoS-l90VqnI/AAAAAAABEPM/Qo2PqF1h1cU/s640/r9.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SoS-rDmlWZI/AAAAAAABEQE/AP4WK-C-xuU/s640/r2.jpg

Niagara escarpment:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi

Hamilton:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/DundurnStreetStairway.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/HamiltonOntarioSkylineC.JPG

Niagara Falls: 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Horseshoe_Falls_from_Fallsview_hotel.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Niagara_falls_panorama.jpg

Niagara Falls Daredevils:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/BobbyLeachNiagaraFalls.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Charles.Blondin.jpg

Niagara Falls Tightrope – Nik Wallenda

REUTERS/Mark Blinch

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