2013 Project 365 - Day 155

Double Double from In-N-Out across street from Legacy 14. RT @megaplextheatre What is your favorite restaurant near a Megaplex location...
10:33 PM June 16th via TweetDeck
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RT @InsideTheMagic: According to the Red Car Trolley conductor, yesterday was the first time California Adventure topped @Disneyland Par ...
10:29 PM June 16th via TweetDeck

VIDEO: Glenn Beck Offers to Host Debate Between Dan Liljenquist and Orrin Hatch | Rod Arquette http://t.co/xtYnWfT2 via @1057KNRS
1:22 PM May 23rd via Tweet Button
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RT @RodArquette: Glenn Beck offers to Host Debate between Dan Liljenquist and Orrin Hatch. See and hear the offer now at http://t.co/ahc ...
1:19 PM May 23rd via web
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RT @Disneyland: This Day in #DisneyHistory: Sleeping Beauty Castle drawbridge is lowered to debut the new Fantasyland @ Disneyland–1983  ...
1:18 PM May 23rd via web
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I don't know what American Honey is selling, but tell me if this doesn't seem like one of those sleazy escort ads. http://t.co/ALVmhXja
1:10 PM May 23rd via Twitpic
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RT @InsideTheMagic: Something new called "Maestro Goofy Conducts the Fountains" is debuting on June 15 at Paradise Bay. Daytime fountain ...
9:21 AM May 23rd via TweetDeck
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RT @verge: iPhone thief's Disney cruise adventure goes on public display in owner's Facebook album http://t.co/KDjlsjLv
7:56 AM May 23rd via TweetDeck
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RT @michellemalkin: Why I support @DanForUtah: Orrin Hatch sez he "despises" grass-roots fiscal conservative activists & wants to pu ...
7:44 AM May 23rd via TweetDeck

I could really go for a treat myself: RT @911BUFF ...TERRORIST TREAT STILL VERY HIGH...
9:02 PM May 2nd via TweetDeck
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RT @Disneyland: This Day In #DisneyHistory: Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln debuts at the World's Fair in New York – 1964 http://t.co/Bux ...
4:26 PM May 2nd via TweetDeck
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RT @GoGeocaching: Happy #Birthday #Geocaching! 1st cache hid on May 3, 2000 -Now 1.7 mil caches Show your #pride http://t.co/zP8lM3HZ #G ...
4:24 PM May 2nd via TweetDeck

The new trains look great! RT @Disneyland VIDEO: Here's a peek at the renovation on the Matterhorn Bobsleds. park http://t.co/mg6JA0Qu
11:49 AM February 28th via TweetDeck
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RT @GoGeocaching: #Geocaching com back up. #LeapDay has started in parts of the world. Already 20 accounts have logged caches. #70000mor ...
11:43 AM February 28th via TweetDeck
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Anyone planning to party all night @Disneyland Resort? I'd love to hear from you. U going @michaelkregan? #Disney24 http://t.co/w7KtFXZ2
8:24 AM February 28th via TweetDeck
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Showoff ;-) RT @jkrums Brad Keslowski Makes NASCAR History With First In-Vehicle Tweet & Pic During A Race http://t.co/OBD6c9IS @keselowski
8:20 AM February 28th via TweetDeck

Jeepcruzer

RT @DLtoday: Safety is Disneyland's #1 priority. However, at what lengths must the park sacrifice show for guests who lack basic common ...
7:03 PM September 10th via TweetDeck
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Only 4 more hours till my Cougars go up against @lauralollipop 's Longhorns! Exciting! (Not to mention U of U v USC, what a night!)
12:23 PM September 10th via TweetDeck

I Don't See Any Bears In There

Summer vacation 2009 was a blessed three day retreat at Bear Lake. My brother, wanting to share his good fortune, invited the family to spend a few days enjoying his new boat. Another brother provided a connection for some pleasant accomodations just up the hill from the Utah marina. We turned off our phones for a bit and relaxed in the placid, turquoise water stopping only to enjoy a game of pool, an evening around the fire or tossing a ball around on the expansive grounds. We enjoyed having an entire floor of the home to ourselves and Emma even had her own "room" (a closet/unsued playroom built beneath the stairs which Emma immediately claimed for her use.) With the exception of the extreme sunburn that Hannah came home with (the discount sunscreen was sub-par for sure) everything ended up quite well.

Over The River, Over The Woods

The perrenial holiday visit to Grandma and Grandpa's took a twist this year. Emma didn't drive to the folks house, instead she was invited to spend a few days with Grammie & Gramps on their Disneyland vacation.

So dad took Emma down to SoCal on her first flight in a year. We met up with the grandparents in Santa Anna and Emma was whisked away to the land of Buzz Lightyear and Dumbo rides. Emma came home with many amazing stories (and a few souveniers) and dad got to spend a day flying, reading and Geocaching (three of his favorite things.)

Endangered Species

I couldn't believe it. I thought these were extinct to all who can not afford the double wides at the front of the plane. Yet there it was - hot no less! Hawaiian Airlines had won my heart.

I was already impressed. The old 767 was refurbished nicely (remarkably attractive in purple,) the LCD screens against the bulkhead were new, the seats were comfortable and innovative in design (with slots to augment the pockets) and size, the staff was friendly, heck - I even liked the commercials they were showing.

Our flight was delayed more than two hours (due to a late arrival and crew rest requirements) but I just could not bring myself to be angry. I was enjoying my frequent beverage service and plentiful pillows and blankets so much I couldn't be bothered to do little more than furrow my brow at our troubles (especially when it comes to crew rest - give me maintenance problems over a dazed crew any day.)

So I was pretty impressed with Hawaiian Airlines - until we tried to get our checked luggage. But that's another story. It's still more than I can say for airport law enforcement at Kahului. Yet another story I'll see if I can get around to.

Alohuh?

Never Heard Of It

Black sand beach, located just outside Hana on Maui, is a bit of a treasure. Partly because it is so unique and partly because - like all good treasure - it takes some work to find it.

The black granules are slightly more tiny gravel than sand, but only slightly. Eroded from tons of volcanic rock, the aggregate on this beach is absolutely isolated from other beaches on the island and makes for a most unique swim experience.

Palm Tree Inspector

How can I make a living on Maui? Or any of the other Hawaiian islands for that matter. The economy seems so fragile here. I am amazed so many people can live on the islands, but you can see why everyone wants to.

This is the scene I woke up to every morning while on Maui. I would very much like to wake up to this every day. It may be possible someday, in some variation. Helicopter pilots are sorely needed almost everywhere and tour operators in Hawaii are no exception. Until the day I am called upon to work in Hawaii, I will continue to ponder this tranquil scene.

Oceans Are Big

I felt vastly insignificant. I was more than 30,000 feet in the air and still could see neither the fringe of a continent nor an island speck. Boy Scout instincts inside me started planning survival scenarios in case I was forced to ford this blue desert.

Fortunately my survival training (consisting of a few overnighters in the foothills) was not needed. I enjoyed my flight to Hawaii very much. Had the pacific voyage been taken at night as my last trip to the islands was the empty curve of the earth might not have captivated me so. But the stunning starkness of the blue sky against the dark blue water was amazing to behold even for a pilot who thought he'd seen a lot from the air.

Grab a Heiny

Saw this guy on his way out of Lahaina, Maui and I had to capture the moment. I suppose I should admire his determination, but I can't help but think that it would be really hard to hide an open container on this thing.

And It Shows

Emma loves to fly. In a broader sense, Emma loves to travel and our recent trip to Montrose, CO. (gateway to Telluride) was a prime example. Flying was fun as always. Emma was calling 1, 2, 3 BLASTOFF after pushback from the gate. But the flight is only the means to an end. The fun of Geocaching with dad, eating out and swimming in the hotel pool were the meat of the trip for her. She always has fun and that makes her a great traveling partner.

I Shall Return

Like MacArthur trodding upon a Philippine beach I have returned to the grand city of Chicago as I vowed to do only seven months ago. This time I got to take my munchkin - the first time we've tackled a metropolis together. We took the train into town, rode the "El" around the loop and took our first subway ride on the red line back up to the Water Tower district. Each experience was met with wide eyed excitement. It was somewhat harrowing for mom and dad to keep the little one from falling off a subway platform or walking into the street as she strained to see the tops of buildings but the experience was worth every effort.

Dad got to have his fun too. I took the family to the top of Hancock tower (as I've wanted to do since my first trip) and though some questioned why I wasn't going to the top of the Sears Tower, for me the experience at the top of the John Hancock tower was sublime. For me, the photographer and engineering enthusiast, the Hancock Tower had the greatest payoff for the money. If you really want to see Chicago, you need to do it from the outside looking in. The view from 100 stories above Michigan Avenue was very much like flying around the downtown skyline. We had good timing too as the photos at twilight gave an awesome aura of blue hue to the cloud covered sky while emphasizing the lights of bustling city.

We finished off the night with dinner downstairs at the Cheesecake Factory. Sadly, mom had to do work the next day so we hopped back on the train with mommies coworkers (AKA, Emma's Friends) and took the trip back to the hotel. Emma invited everyone to her hotel room (pronounced Ho-Tale) for a party. She was devastated to learn she was going to bed without said party. In fact the next day, she didn't even want to got the airport and fly on an airplane. She wanted to stay in "da-costco to see buildings." So we all have a bit of a bug for the Windy City and the Miracle Mile. Must be contagious.

While You Were Out

While I was attending class in Torrance my family capitalized on the opportunity to come to sunny Southern California and spend the week visiting Disneyland. It was a rough road getting there though. Or plans to fly in were squashed when a fire (now known as the Salt Creek Fire) closed I-15 for about 100 miles through central Utah and subsequently drove air travel through the roof.

Delta had oversold every flight into any city in Southern California. It was mandatory I be there on time for class so we scrapped plans to fly, packed up the car and drove to SoCal - something I hadn't done in ten years. I think driving to Disneyland is something every family should do at least every 10 years - just to remember why you fly all the other times. The drive was daunting, but the trip was fun. I think I'm gonna drive the desert at 4am on every trip from now on.

This was a first visit to Disneyland for Emma's Grandma, so that made this trip extra special. Aunt LuLu soon joined us as well so the girls enjoyed themselves at the park and Dad joined them in the afternoon, funny how even a few hours at Disneyland is enough to make you feel good.

Robinson

A few weeks ago I attended Robinson Helicopters Factory Safety Course. Although it's required if I'm going to work for Silver State, I was looking forward to it as I would a vacation. I even plopped down as much money as a vacation, come to think of it, I would still call it a vacation. The family came along and visited Disneyland while I was in class all week, and I got to tour the Robinson Factory, watch fascinating crash videos, and even fly around SoCal in a brand new R44 Raven I.

I was impressed that Frank Robinson would welcome us and kick off the course, I think this speaks highly of him and his company. The window into the Robinson psyche opened a little wider as we toured the factory. Work there is a great example of high efficiency and economy. For example: The lights are seldomly ever on in the factory, replaced instead with numerous skylights to capitalize on the sunny SoCal weather.

We even got a little bit of inside info on the R66 due to debut soon. Our tour was led by Pat, who is head of Tech Support at Robinson and would be familiar to almost anyone who has taken the factory course. He said that the R66 might be flight tested by end of July (due to a bet that some department heads didn't want to have to pay.)

Flying around SoCal was quite an experience. It was fascinating to see LAX, LGB and all the small airports that I fly over and into but never get a good look at. Passing under the approach path for LAX was a bit of thrill in it's self. We flew all the way to El Monte and practiced auto rotations from zero airspeed, min rate decent autos and other emergency procedures.

I had a good enough time to consider returning to take the factory course again (and pay another $500) to renew my CFI certificate. It made me darn proud to fly Robinsons too.

Chicago: Architecture

I may not have the background of some professionals I know, but I think I'm qualified enough to appreciate outstanding structures and Chicago has some of the most outstanding in North America. The two most notable (The Hancock and Sears Towers) are engineering marvels as well as superb design showcases. My favorite structure in Chicago is the Hancock Tower. But the dazzling glass and steel giants that put Chicago on the map are only the crown jewels of an architecture treasure trove. Buildings that date back before the great fire still stand and are fascinating to say the least. Chicago seems to have gone to great lengths to preserve legacy structures that seem to date back to the 19th century. These buildings bring character to downtown and seem to ground Chicago, or legitimize it in sea of large cities, building new structures like mad, trying to get a bite of the big apples. Chicago is not languishing in the glow of the past however. Construction was widespread and these new structures were not simple or commonplace. Each seemed to have a panache and class that transcended their structural steel cores.

Chicago: Theater District

Although in this picture I don't quite look it, I'm very excited to be in Chicago to see the musical "Wicked." Wicked is probably the only true powerhouse original musical to hit broadway since Miss Saigon. I've wanted to see it for some time now and have pondered visiting Manhattan on a couple occasions. I'm glad I waited to see it in Chicago, not only becasue Chicago was a great town, but because the theater it's self was stunning. It had so much charm and character and lacked none of the amenities. The seats were plush, oversized by most theaters, like an armchair you'd settle into and read Dickens by the fire. The show was outstanding. Great leading ladies an outstanding company and great stage craft made the experience everything I had hoped for.

I hope to return to Chicago to catch another show sometime. There are at least three large theaters like the Oriental (A.K.A. Ford Center for The Performing Ats) including Cadilliac's Palace Theater (currently showing Oprah's musical rendition of "The Color Purple") and the Chicago Theater (which recently hosted auditions for the popular Fox reality show "So You Think You Can Dance.") There are also several smaller theaters (such as the Goodman theater) featuring some popular off broadway and comedy selections. Some of the nicest restraunts in Chicago can be found in the theater district as well.