Stories from 'From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond' - Chester L. Richards

Chester L. Richards

Thank You, Dear Readers - We're a Bestseller!

6/12/2024

Thank you, Dear Readers - We're a Bestseller!

I don't like to brag, but it sure feels good to know you like my book, Dear Readers! I do hope that you are having fun with the stories. And that perhaps here and there one of my adventures inspires you to try a new opportunity, to take a chance, explore the unknown, and have an exhilarating experience yourself! Or turn what seems an ordinary moment into an extraordinary one by simply shifting your perspective.

And I'd love to hear from you. Other people's stories intrigue me. It's fascinating to hear different points of view, and learn of things I haven't heard of myself.

So please send me a note here, or visit me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter/X. I post new photos of places I've visited near and far, new happenings in our astonishing world of science, space and rockets often. And I love sharing with followers oddments in music, language and all the arts as an article, piece of art or language bit calls out to me.

One last thought. We authors thrive on reviews. Please visit the website of the place from which you purchased my book, and jot what it was that you felt about it.

Thank you so much.

From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond ranks #13 on Amazon!

11/2/2023

'From the Potato to Star Trek and Beyond' Hits #13 on Amazon

Thanks to all who have been buying my book From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond. I am so grateful and hope you enjoy reading about my adventures as much as I enjoyed having, and writing about them.

New review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly recommend The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist with its shining 5-star rating. It is a captivating read that will leave a lasting impression on any reader fortunate enough to embark on this heartfelt journey."
---Julia K. Goodman

Buy your copy now!

New Video -- Sam Street's Mystical Rescue

8/6/2023

Sam Street's Mystical Rescue

Join us for an unforgettable journey as Chester recounts a mystical rescue adventure led by the legendary Sam Street during the Grand Canyon expedition. The trip took an unexpected turn when part of the group found themselves stranded in a hanging canyon with no way down.

As the adventure unfolds, we learn just how mystical Sam really is, and another reason why he became such a legend.

The full story is in Chester's book, From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond.

Watch Sam Street's Mystical Rescue Now

New Video -- White Water Guide Sam Street

7/24/2023

In this video, Chester shares a riveting story from his first trip down the Grand Canyon in 1974, another time when he almost got killed. A bit of background, from "The Cliff," in his book:

"Sam was average in height and deeply bronzed. His long, well groomed, sandy hair hung down almost to his waist and his face was swathed in a similarly long sun bleached beard. He wasn't wearing much — a ragged pair of gym shorts with patches of skin showing through, and a colorful bandana tied over his head. There was little to distinguish this Trip Captain from the rest of his piratical appearing crew. Except for his crown. Snugged down over his bandana was a large, battered, broad brimmed hat of dubious origin and considerable character.

"Legend has it Sam was moseying down the road one day when he came to an intersection with a sign reading Sam Street. This, he thought, was a most excellent name. So he went to the Court House and became Sam Street...

"This trip we were on was all about The River — the Colorado River. We were gathered, nearly five decades ago, under Sam's leadership for a voyage through the depths of the Grand Canyon. Sam's command was a small fleet of inflated rafts powered by long oars. O.A.R.S. — Outdoor Adventure River Specialists — was the name of the renowned whitewater river rafting company.

Excerpt © 2023 Chester L. Richards. From "The Cliff," story in From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist. All rights reserved.
#adventures #whitewater #ColoradoRiver #GrandCanyon #video

Stay Dry as you watch Chester tell the hair raising Tale

New Video -- Addis Ababa Bus Confrontation

7/17/2023

New video with Chester L. Richards and Ina Hillebrandt-- Addis Ababa -- on a bus at gunpoint

Join me as I relive a heart-stopping adventure during an expedition in Ethiopia in 1976, a time of revolution in the country. During a bus ride to the Awash area, we encountered a tense situation I have never forgotten.
"Military checkpoints along the highway caused us some trepidation. We were stopped at one and some of us got off the bus to relieve ourselves. Along the roadway to our right was a high embankment covered with bushes and trees. A militia man with a rifle, well polished with use, followed us back onto the bus and started walking down the aisle checking our passports. Someone in the bus called out to be careful with that gun of his. “Gun” was one of the few words of English that he understood. So, he immediately started a search to see if we had any weapons which could be confiscated. When he came to me he saw the camera in my lap. He swung his rifle around and pointed it towards my belly, his finger nervous on the trigger. I froze..."
From the story "Land of Troubles," published in my book "From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond." © 2022 Chester L. Richards. All rights reserved.
#AddisAbaba #Adventures #Ethiopia

Hold your breath as you watch Addis Ababa Video!

Reagan Presidential Library July 4, 2023

7/10/2023

Reagan Presidential Library - Treasure Trove of U.S. History, plus Historically Significant Traveling Exhibits

July 4, 2023, Simi Valley, CA: The occasion for my visit was to attend the unveiling of the beautiful Sally Ride statue at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. More about that in a minute. First, a bit of background on the scene.

From the time you drive up Presidential Drive to the main entrance, the setting for the Library is impressive, and beautiful. Vistas abound as you walk up to the buildings houssing the permanent and traveling exhibits. On this day, the 247th birthday of our nation, there was a special festive atmosphere. Children and grownups alike sported red white and blue outfits, and spangly silver as well as red white and blue stars on their faces.

A band did a lively rendition of a Johnny Cash song, and various characters from our country's past were on hand to greet visitors and talk history.

There were also games for both kids and grownups, and the exhibits. Before the unveiling, we had time to visit one of the permanent exhibits, the Air Force One Pavilion, what friends have called "The Wow Room." That's the one where you can see and board Air Force One, tail number 27000, the plane used as "The Flying Office" by seven U.S. Presidents in all from 1973 to 2001: Presidents Nixon, Carter, Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush. Astonishing how small it seems inside, compared to what one would expect. But what a sight, standing under its appropriately huge wings. Inside a building!

Also in the Wow Room: one of President Reagan's presidential limousines and Secret Service suburbans (later referred to as "The Beast(s),") part of the permanent exhibit on presidential motorcades. Plaques you can zoom in to read tell us that the Secret Service began driving presidents in 1945, previously following presidents' limousines in separate vehicles. Also that to insure presidents' safety, beginning in the 1960s the Beasts were flown to countries the presidents were visiting for official business.

At the time we visited, there was a major traveling exhibit about the Holocaust: Auschwitz, not long ago and not far away, to which large numbers of schools have been sending students for educational purposes. The exhibit contains 700 horrifying artifacts, objects from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum as well as more than 20 institutions and museums all over the world, and tells the story of "perpetrators as well as victims who lived inside." The exhibit is to close August 13. If you wish to see it, you can buy tickets at the link above in this paragraph.

Dr. Sally Ride Inspiration for Women -- of all ages

And finally, we were able to watch the full ceremony unveiling the beautiful statue of Dr. Sally Ride, the first woman astronaut, and the person President Reagan selected to solve the mystery of what led to the Challenger disaster. In the film you'll see the lively sister of Sally Ride, Bear Ride, alongside the painting of that most inspiring woman who told young girls they should "Reach for the stars!" Dr. Bear Ride is continuing this invaluable message for girls and women around the globe through her foundation ridefoundation.org. Her speech at the event told the story of how the matriarch of the family inspired both Sally and herself to be whatever they wanted to be.

Thanks to filmmaker Steven C. Barber for inviting me to attend. He was the "Energizer Bunny" as Dr. Bear Ride put it, who organized the project of creating and producing both the lovely statue and its home at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Thanks also to David Trulio, president and chief executive officer of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute for hosting this event, and providing important exhibits to the public.

New Video - Sirens on the Omo

6/16/2023

New Video - Sirens on the Omo

Embark on a mesmerizing journey with Chester and Ina as Chester recounts a unique musical experience during an expedition in Ethiopia. Chester shares a captivating story from his expedition down the Awash River in Eastern Ethiopia, a region known for its rich paleontological history.

Premiering June 16 noon PT!

New Video - Professor Pellam's Fabulous Fish Tale

6/2/2023

New Video - Professor Pellam's Fabulous Fish Tale

Welcome back to Adventures with Chester L. Richards. Dive into the captivating story of Professor Pellam and his unexpected adventure during World War II.

In this episode, Chester recounts a tale from his time as a graduate student in the 1960s, working in the laboratory of the eminent physicist, Professor John R. Pelham. And a mysterious episode "Johnny Pellam" told Chester about.

Find out what that submarine's doing here!

New Video - Lava Falls Reversal

4/3/2023

New Video - Lava Falls Reversal

Welcome to Adventures with Chester L. Richards. Join us again as we go on a whitewater rafting adventure at Lava Falls on the Colorado River, in the Grand Canyon. Just one of the many brushes with death I’ve had in my life. You can find the full “Lava Falls” story, the story of the Battle of The Bands video - “In The Mood”- and many more adventures on my YouTube channel. See you there!
#videos #adventures #whitewater #rafting #LavaFalls #GrandCanyon #ColoradoRiver

Hit the Falls with Me!

I'm Like a Pinball in a Pinball Machine

3/21/2023

My Life is a Great Pinball Adventure

Image © 2023 Mensa®. Reprinted with permission.

A rocket scientist adventurer ponders what will kill you

Out of darkness comes hope, and out of hope comes an unexpected passion and renewed sense of life ... if he can keep himself alive long enough to enjoy it. Rocket scientist/Star Trek writer/safari warrior/author Chester L. Richards asks: Is nature out to kill us? Maybe not. But someone is.
-Ed., The Mensa Bulletin, March 2023

I’m like a pinball in a pinball machine. I get knocked about a lot. I have been highly entertained and challenged by this, engaging in near-impossible tasks as an engineer on the aerospace frontier. Even better, bouncing around my somewhat eccentric career, I have met some of the most extraordinary people.

But sometimes being a pinball hurts — a lot!

Read more in the March 2023 Mensa Bulletin. A huge thanks from Chester for the delightful graphics they created to illustrate perfectly how his life has ricocheted through adventures personal, professional, and both mind- and soul-expanding.

From Chester L. Richards

Hello, and happy to see you here! A little about what's behind these stories: Having retired from the world of aerospace engineering, I now spend time reading, inventing, listening to music, taking photographs and sharing them with friends. And writing stories. Often about people I've met as I've traveled to exotic places, learned about music, surfing, white water rafting, optics, photography. Every story is true. I hope you enjoy them.

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