The flag goes east: As some of you may know, when it comes to the Mars Flag, the Red-Green-and-Blue, I'm something of a fan. Perched on the ridge above the hab and waving lazily in the breeze, it often stops me in my tracks as I pass through 'The Blob' (the magical tunnel that allows us to reach the greenhouse without spacesuits or work in an invisible garage surrounding the ATVs). Were it not an abuse of said Blob (already a much maligned entity), I would likely spend hours sitting in the sand below the flag, cross-legged and staring with eyes not quite focused. Perhaps before our term here is up I shall succumb to the temptation. Charmed by the flag's undulations, I can imagine my overwrought meditation transcending its worries about the how, the when, and transforming into a much more visceral sort of euphoria, a happy glow tinted with the colors with which Mr. Robinson chose to paint the future.

Yeah, so in other words, I like the flag. Sue me.

When we had a chance today to repeat Saturday's pressurized rover EVA to Upheaval Dome (a possible impact crater), and had to think of a way to spice up the mission and differentiate the pics a bit, of course-besides visiting several new sites-taking the flag along came to mind. So early this morning we set off for Canyonlands National Park and the big hole in the ground, flag in tow. Now, Charles and the gang had said that they had received a few curious looks the day before, but nothing too extreme-people were easy to convince that they were the serious-minded scientists they purported to be. We eventually convinced them today, as well, but I think having the flag along made it a bit harder. Their initial glances were a bit too shocked, and their eventual smiles of understanding were a bit too sly. I think they could tell, and their gut reactions told them, that with our flag we were not just a bunch of button-pushing, tricorder-waving scientists-perhaps we were also the lead scouts of an invading army of Martians, or the prematurely prepared color guard of a future Martian Republic. And while I may try to downplay that somewhat crazier, somewhat less logical part of our Martian crusade when moving in academic circles, I don't think it's a bad thing. After all, armies tend to get things done, color guards tend to inspire, and both accomplishments are good things when it comes to getting us to Mars. So even if I felt a little silly (not to mention chest pains-climbing in those spacesuits at that altitude was rough!), I lofted the flag proudly-very proudly-that day.