Read any message board and someone always chimes in with “I don’t fly – it’s better just to drive everywhere.” I surmise these people have unlimited free time, don’t live out west where cities are 600 miles apart, have no interest in foreign travel, and have no worries about falling asleep midpoint into their 16 hour drive and smashing themselves into a bridge abutment.

I love a good road trip. But I also enjoy hanging out at airports, especially my home in Denver, a well designed facility where open space abound, power outlets and internet are free and and easy to find. With technology today I can accomplish the same tasks as I’d be doing at home. I can VNC into work, edit my photos, read, watch a movie, post inane updates on Facebook – all while sitting at the airport. It’s the same thing I’d do Saturday morning at a coffee shop – while watching jumbo jets rumble around the ramps.

And I get to fly. On almost every flight there’s a least one moment where I’ve been thrilled and amazed at the view, at the fact I’m floating through the air, and at the technology that makes it all happen. I can still recall a flight in the late 90s on a Northwest DC-10 into LAX doing some holding patterns through the most incredible cloud canyons I’ve ever seen. It was like an Imax movie. Or recently witnessing an amazing left seat view of the New York City skyline during a nighttime glide into LaGuardia.

This recent flight wasn’t a special flight to somewhere exotic, rather just another Southern California weekend I’ve made dozens of times to see friends and family. In addition to finally making an upgrade (thanks due to my 2010 mileage total) this was an exceptionally beautiful trip. Certain westbound departures out of Denver climb straight up along I-70 over the Rockies, and the morning flights are spectacular. In 25 minutes you go from the eastern plains, over the downtown skyline on the left, then see the rolling foothills morph in the an endless sea of jagged snow covered peaks. For an infrequent flyer out west it’s an amazing sight. For myself who calls Colorado home it’s simply neat to spot regular landmarks like I-70, the switchbacks of US-40 to Winter Park, a completely out of place casino highrise in a canyon that looks like a train set model, and the ski resorts of Copper Mountain and Vail. Someone watching me peer out the window and taking pictures might have thought it was my first time in an airplane.

I wonder why it’s lost on so many people how amazing it is one can wake up in in the Rockies and be laying on the beach by noon, taking in the Pacific ocean. Or cross an ocean in one night. I suppose I’m easy to impress. Or equally I’m appreciate of the marvel of mankind that makes it happen – even while crammed in coach.

If you set out expecting a negative experience, you’ll more than likely find one. But if take a moment to actually breath in what you’re doing and you might find yourself feeling like you did the first time you flew.

If the below photos don’t make you want to pick a window seat on your next trip then take a read from Captain Dave’s blog - who puts the beauty of air travel into eloquent words. It’s a favorite of mine..

I dismissed her by saying it was just the tops of the clouds and haze, and it’s near impossible to see anything while over the Atlantic. Sure enough I was wrong, and for about 15 minutes we passed over some amazing ice floes and glaciers far below…

I grabbed my camera and managed to get a few good shots. It rivals this photo departing Mexico as one of the most beautiful I’ve seen from above.

(circa fall ’09)

Related:

A Part of Buenos Aires
Apartments in Buenos Aires
Canal 7 . Argentina

Not all U.S. airlines use Terminal 4. Terminals 1-3 are quite functional and remain heavily used, just lack the beauty and elegance of the new structure. Except for American Airlines and Iberia, which are part of OneWorld and use T4, other airlines to and from the U.S. use the A Gates at the far end of Terminal 1, necessitating a very long walk to immigration and customs, then another very long walk to the Metro Station.

I was very early for a flight to Morocco, so I took the subway an extra stop to T4 to take some photos at dawn of the airport starting to come to life. Check out the ultra shiny floor in front of the arrivals door – you could practically eat off it. The Madrid Metro’s line 8 has a separate and very modern station for Terminal 4, and I was surprised to find transit time between the airport and most points in the city center only took about 25-30 minutes even with a couple transfers.

A photo note: I started using Simpleviewer for my blog instead if Nexgen gallery. I find it’s easier to navigate through photos, and it has a cool little feature which pulls selected photos directly from my Flickr site, saving precious storage space. The “fullscreen” button at the upper right expands the photos for a nice slideshow and uncluttered viewing.

A coworker of mine has a long time friend who’s lived in Marrakesh for 20 years. We exchanged emails leading up to my trip, and she informed me about the festival and to “not be surprised at live sheep being driven around town on motorbikes or cars.” She was kind enough to meet for dinner my first night in town for wonderful meal and informative introduction to the city.

While Tuesday was bustling at the Souk, (the mazes of markets stalls in the center of the city), with families buying food and supplies for the holiday, I was told Wednesday would be a slow day in the city with many shops and restaurants closed while families spent time together.

The owner of the Riad I stayed at (report to come) arranged a guide who didn’t mind working the holiday and took myself and two girls from Australia, also staying at the Riad, on a day trip to the Lower Atlas Mountains.

He drove us outside the city, up some canyon and mountain roads (very similar to Colorado) and after a few photo stops we arrived at the town of Achayn, where the elegant Kasbah du Toubkal Hotel is situated on a hill with views of the Atlas Mountains and Berber villages on the hillsides.

Our guide Mohamed and his family lived in one of the villages a short walk from the hotel. After time spent relaxing amid the peaceful rooftops staring at the jaw dropping views Mohamed returned and took us for a walk through the villages where we saw families preparing their sheep, and to a waterfall a short hike up the canyon.

We didn’t ask for or expect what happened next: He took the three of us to his home for a meal. We removed our shoes and sat on the comfortable rugs atop his roof, with the same incredible views of the mountains and valley. His father made mint tea, taking 10 minutes to add and filter then mint and sugar. After tea the family prepared a table on the rooftop, and we were served a dish of lamb, with dates and walnuts. We ate it with the bread, but of course reluctantly used the forks on hand. We had an onion and olive salad with pomegranate for dessert.

Mohamed is one of seven children, with most of his sisters married. We met his Father, Mother and cousins He spoke English very well, and was able to tell us about his family’s history and their home. Of course he and his mother wondered why on earth the two girls, a few years younger than myself, were not married yet.

I’m grateful to this family for having me over to see a real Berber home in the mountains, and to share one of the best meals and visits that I’ve ever experienced.

Everything I’ve done in between and since: commercial flying and travel, Spanish lessons, skiing, biking and photography, totals less per year combined than renting small planes and flying around the west every few weeks. For that reason I only fly sporadically with friends and instructors, but am still happy I learned..

Turns out there’s another super expensive fun hobby: Collecting old railroad cars. I was in Alamosa, Colorado for a weekend, at which time a group of private railcars owners were overnighting in town during their 2010 tour.

I initially thought the cars on a siding downtown were part of the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, a tourist train which operates day trips through the San Luis Valley from Monte Vista to La Veta. On closer look I saw each car was a restored car from a past era – each with gleaming exteriors and beautiful interior appointments.

I was wanding around the tracks later that evening, admiring the cars, and chatted with several owners and their friends who were explained their group and trip while minding their cars.

This group was from the American Association of Private Railcar Owners. Their 2010 trip brought them to Albuquerque, touring to Raton (New Mexico), then Alamosa before heading over La Veta Pass to Pueblo then southeast to Amarillo. They have their cars delivered by attachment (renting space) on Amtrak or a freight company before link them together for the tour. At night they hang out on the

The stay on board their cars overnight, which are complete with bedrooms and galleys – a kind of luxury RV on rails. The only thing they didn’t have was an engine, so they relied on various companies to move them around, like Amtrak or in Alamosa they hired one of the Rio Grande Scenic engines to bring them down to Pueblo.

While I didn’t get invited on board any cars (they had family or friends with them) at night I could see the beautiful lamps inside, brass trim and curtains – amazingly restored to the early 20th century look they once displayed.

For myself as a railfan it was a real treat to see. Fortunately Alamosa is a small friendly town where no one’s concerned with tourists wandering around the small railyards.

The group was happy to engage my questions – the only thing I forgot to ask was where exactly one parks their railcar in the city. I certainly wouldn’t leave mine in urban railyard. Perhaps they roll it into a museum or something.

If you’d like to book a trip yourself they’re happy to share space: Here’s a list of future trips.

More photos below:

Wind carries tiny sand deposits from the Rio Grande River west across the unimpeded expanse of the valley, and stalls when reach the western face of the Sangre de Christos, forming and constantly shifting the the dunes below.

My first impression is that is was far larger than I expected. I’d seen photos but imagined a giant version of Lake Michigan’s dunes – scattered along the base more or less. Rather this is one large mountain (of sand) which shifts shape and morphs through the years.

In the spring and early summer the snow melts from the mountains, flowing down Medano Creek and creating a large lake at the base- complete with small waves from the uneven sandy bed. In the fall the lake dries, allowing for a 10 minute walk straight across to the base rather than wading.

After slathering on the sunscreen I found a group gathering with a ranger who was giving a talk about the geology and history. She was one for the best park guides I’ve listened to – and had a backpack full of various rocks and minerals found in the park, and even some entomology samples native to the area. Her husband was water commissioner of a nearby county and she explained in detail how scarce the water is, almost each drop of the Rio Grande and its surrounding creeks accounted for.

Our guide also pointed out the womens’ group responsible for petitioning Congress to establish the Sand Dunes as a National Park in 1932, preventing further exploitation of its resources from mining.

The distances are very deceiving. It reminded me of parts of Death Valley where something close is in reality four or five miles from sight. I hiked around for about an hour, exploring small valleys and canyons inside the lower half. To reach the very top is a 2.5 hour expedition. Along the roads are several trails providing great views of the dunes and valley.

Doing it: From Denver drive south on I-25 to Walsenburg, then 70 miles west on highway 160. Highway 285 south is far more scenic, but two lanes and busier on summer weekends.

The park is dog friendly. If you’re visiting for the day there are showers at the base to rinse off. (Just like the real beach!) Bring old but good hiking shoes if you plan to climb the dunes. Some areas are hard packed and easy to walk on but others are just like walking across the beach where you slip back and use lots of energy.

The Great Sand Dunes lodge is just outside the park, and there’s large campground in the park with facilities and even a small convenience store. The lodge has a restaurant on site, but any other services are 20 miles from the closest towns of Mosca to the west and Blanca to the south, and 30 miles to Alamosa. The upside of staying onsite is you’ll wake up to some amazing sunrise and can stay for spectacular sunsets.

There’s no marked route up or down the dunes. You just wander around atop the peaks or in the crannies til you reach a point you want. Then take it in, sandboard, roll, stumble or flop down. If you have a nice camera be sure to tape up the body with plastic. If the wind starts blowing it’s a sure way to ruin it.

Nearby Zapata Falls is three miles south of the park. It’s a mile hike to a waterfall, however it was closed for some reason during my visit. I ended up doing the Dunes View hike, one of many hikes around the area.

Returning I took the desolate highway 17 north to 285, through Poncha Springs and over Kenosha Pass back into Denver. The San Luis Valley is also a UFO hotspot. Halfway between Alamosa and Poncha Springs on Highway 17 is the UFO Watchtower. That’s on my list for next time.

Great Sand Dunes NP Site

In addition to visiting the home we’ll spend a day doing something fun – like seeing the Kennedy Space Center or exploring Tampa and Clearwater. While the area isn’t a cultural hotbed I enjoy seeing new places and have found some unique spots one may not find on the tourist maps.

Sadly though our final visit was in January. Driving to the airport I said to my Mom, “Well I guess this is the last time we’ll be in Orlando.”

Surprise on me, I was invited to Florida again, this time by my other side of the family who was using their RCI time share for a week at Disney World and surrounding parks. I questioned the sanity of wanting to visit theme parks in July (for seven days no less) and informed them that here in Denver I had access to many searing hot asphalt parking lots that I could stand on for hours if I chose to. But since I love going places and know the city of course I joined in and arranged everybody’s flights as well.

I stayed for four days and they made all the plans – a nice change from my standard travel templates. They chose Epcot as a place we’d go together for two days, relaxing the other two and taking in some shows at night.

I don’t know what to say about Epcot that hasn’t been summed up by The Simpsons: “Epcot is what the people in 1965 thought the world would be like in 1987.”

Epcot was designed by Disney to be a community and residence for employees of Disney World. Life would be self contained and simple thanks to a well designed organized space and the benefit of public transportation. That never happened, and instead it became a theme park based on the idea of a “City of the future.” That future, and style of living that Epcot predicted however is more seen in science fiction movies than real life.

I got a real kick out of the swooping concrete structures, monorails and heavy looking white round and boxy buildings. In a world where all modern design is now glass and aluminum it’s, well, it’s a gas to see such retro stuff. Make no mistake I do like glass and the ability to see through it, but many of these fortress style structures (like Denver’s Convention Center or Detroit’s Renaissance Center) have been demolished or remodeled in the past 15 years, so it’s a trip to see such architecture celebrated and loved – even if it’s the faux architecture housed inside of an amusement park.

Coincidentally we met a lady from Brasilia, Brazil at dinner a few nights later. Anyone who’s researched urban design and planning knows Brasilia wasn’t much different than Epcot’s original ideas and design. Brasilia is a fascinating city to read about.

The first day we toured Future World, which encompasses the front half of the park. Now I initially thought I’d be burning up on the hot pavement, but a pleasant feature is that Epcot has existed for over 20 years now and the trees have matured nicely since my last visit during a school trip in 1992. Another plus, most of the exhibits are indoors and air conditioned. Of course I was hot and sticky, but it’s no different than biking in the rain: Once you’re wet you’re wet. And once you’re drenched in a syrupy mess of sweat and sunscreen it doesn’t become wetter or sticker. Everybody else is in the same sauna with you, so best to forget it and have fun.

During our first stop at the “Journey into Imagination” with Figment I was taught to use my imagination, so in my mind I conjured up a new exhibit at Future World based on the human and machine hybrid technology I witnessed at Epcot. It’s called the “Future of Human Mobility.” Now I don’t mean the monorail or those little pods that will whiz around cities in an alternative 1997 universe, rather the idea stems from the hundreds upon hundreds of scooters that people (with both legs) were using to escape the arduous obligation of walking. Much like the showcase automobiles in the GM sponsored “Test Track” these scooters were extreme! Some had umbrellas attached, others battery powered fans and cell phone holders. Even the rentals were top notch with head and tail lights as I discovered the night we stayed for fireworks. Late in the first day I commented “I definitely don’t remember this many scooters when I was here in high school” and the always wise Caleb informed me that the lasting battery power had not been invented in the early 90s. In this case Epcot was the future and The Future IS Now.

Some of the exhibits have movie tie ins. For example “The Living Seas,” threw in a bunch of Finding Nemo photos and merchandise to piggyback itself on the popular movie. By the way you can actually scuba dive with dolphins here, which I would have done had I researched it in advance.

The one movie I didn’t see, but would fit in perfectly with the mobility assisted world of Epcot was Wall-E. This is one of my favorite Disney/Pixar movie and nowhere in the park is it represented. Like the guests, many of the employees weren’t required to walk either. Segways were used to transport their physical bodies, allowing them to someday graduate to the ubiquitous scooters. I’ll bet those poor schmucks who have to stand and direct traffic at Copper Mountain are jealous of these guys.

In addition to the land where nobody walks (all of Epcot) we visited “Mission Space,” where CSI’s Gary Sinise trains you on a Deep Space Mission. They offer a “green” and a more intense “orange” ride. I love roller coasters however the g-forces of the orange ride didn’t leave my stomach too settled after.

To cool off mid day we visited the “Universe of Energy” where Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Nye and Alex Trebek teach you energy history at a kindergarten science level. Favorite quote:

Ellen: “But what about global warming?”
Bill: “That’s a hot topic and there are MANY opinions on it!”

Yup that was it. I suppose if I catered to thousands of people a day from all walks of life I wouldn’t risk mad statements or the spouting of any fancy sciency opinions either. Cue then our mobile auditorium entering the “underseas oil” section, where videos and scenes of rugged men on oil platforms and helicopters were shown. The BP leak having yet to have been plugged I could tell everyone was thinking the exact same thing.

We got a fast pass for the GM Test Track, a ride that sounds like a roller coaster from the outside but is simulation of an automobile test right down to the whiplash, cone swerves and speed braking. Expecting thrills, I handed my manpurse to the operator and asked if he should watch it. When he replied “No you’re fine with it” I adjusted my expectations and was not the least bit disappointed.

The second day we slept in and headed back to Epcot to see the World Showcase. I made sure to print out all the State Department warnings for the countries we’d be visiting.

Aware of the recent drug related violence we cautiously started in Mexico, wandering into an enchanted Mayan village and market with lots of trinkets and jewelry for sale. There is a restaurant indoors under “Chichen Itza” but there must have been a high level Mexican dignitary dining there because it was pitch black. This didn’t help in finding the pharmacy either to stock up on generic Mexican Propecia.

Then it was off to Norway, where we boarded the “Maelstrom,” a log ride cum Viking ship through the animatronic history of Norway – from Vikings to fjords and wind farms. Upon exciting the Maelstrom ride you watch the 15 minute “Spirit of Norway” movie, which celebrates the quality of life and the vision and drive of Norwegians. Towards the end of the video one lady in a lab doing techy stuff with a clipboard actually turned to the audience from a Commodore 64 – no joke. Then I realized everyones’ hairstyles looked like Dynasty and dated the video at about 1986. I wanted to inform my fellow moviegoers that the reason Norwegians are so content is because they tolerate high taxes and free health care, but we were late for Germany.

In Germany I leafed through a few German cookbooks at one of the many gift shops, and while taking a breather read via my iPhone this xenophobic Tripadvisor review about the German beer garden:

I was not told that I had to share my table with others. When I asked to leave I was forced to pay the bill despite eating a few bites. Management is very unbending and not customer friendly. Save your marks! I reported this in a two page letter to Disney.
LOUGATZ – Aug 10 2008

Wait! That’s really how they do it in Germany and it’s fun! I dined at the touristy Hofbräuhaus in Munich and we sat at a table as long as an oak tree, and our table mates were a fun group of friends on a weekend getaway from Hamburg. It was great – what’s so bad about sharing a table? Anyway Germany also had a big model train set I enjoyed watching.

We skipped China because I was expecting an email from my dogsitter and I didn’t want the internet blocked.

Next: Italy, where we watched a street mime before having lunch at the Tuttu Italia restaurant – located, well in Italy. While the endless marketing and merchandising at Epcot deserves to be ridiculed, the restaurants are known for being superb, and many Disney experts recommend reservations weeks before arriving to guarantee a table. Or a table to themselves. We had shells and Gnocchi in a rich cream sauce, and I the espresso was exactly to my strength and liking.

Great news! I am headed to Spain later this fall, however Epcot does not include Spain in their World Showcase. However I am considering a side trip to Morroco. So of course I visited Epcot’s “Morroco” to dive into my research. I wound up in the center of the “medina” (I learned by my Rick Steves books and Epcot that means market) and we found some real spices, just like they sell in Morocco.
And real Moroccans!

Granted Epcot’s Morocco is just another giant gift shop like the rest of Epcot there is one quality that’s worth mentioning if you’re there. Many of the employees staffing the world showcase are actual residents of the country represented. We had a great time chatting with a young guy from Wales, who was working for the summer and planning a road trip to California with his buddy. (Skip L.A. was our advice.) Past the keychains, bland rides, dumbed down political histories and promotional films, the people actual do make it a tiny bit authentic. I chatted up some real guys from Morocco and told them I was thinking of three to four days there but had no idea whether to fly to Tangiers, Casablanca or Marrakech. They all responded without doubt Marrakech.

Yes I’m actually planning a trip based on an experience at Epcot. Hey they were a local bunch that lived there. Is Frommer’s any better? Back to Tripadvisor: This reviewer from Toronto made me laugh a few nights later when reading posts about Epcot:

Canada doesn’t have Totem Poles all over the country, and I couldn’t tell you where the nearest Cattle Ranch is..for God sake it is the 21st century, I’m pretty sure we’ve had more recent cultural developments. Sadly , the only thing each pavilion had to offer were overpriced souvenirs and knickknacks and that you’ll never use, wear, or look at again once you get home. Moroccan hats for 20 bucks. Who in the US of A, or anywhere else besides Morocco, wears a Moroccan hat? -Balula Oct 2009

Our day wound down in England where we watched the fireworks show from the patio of the Rose and Crown Pub. During the two hours spent stalling at our table waiting for the fireworks to start I did some math in my head. A plane ticket to Florida is $350 (from Denver). An adult Epcot pass is $75. Parking is $14. Rental car (two days) about $80. That’s $519 dollars to visit a replica of an English tavern. In recent weeks on Kayak I’ve found London tickets for $700. So – $700 to London, and I’d guess 10 Euros from Heathrow to the door of any true pub in the city. To be in the actual country of England would only cost about $200 more than the fake country in Epcot. I’m not saying it’s a suitable alternative for all, but it’s a fun comparison.

Logistics aside, the absolute best Epcot people watching moment was in “England,” when a Beatles tribute band performed under a gazebo in the “town square.” All the older parents and grandparents parked their scooters and danced and danced, and got really into the music and moment, while all the while their kids just stared at them, or played games on their phone wondering why the adults were acting so loopy.

The fireworks show was spectacular. I’ve heard Disney is better, but since I rarely bother watching fireworks at home it was a treat. I also thought about the people who operate the fireworks show somewhere deep in the park’s phalanxes, and having a job where at the end of their day, even if they didn’t do it to perfection, that they made thousands upon thousands of people visitors happy. That’s a pretty cool job to have.

I was left asking “Why in the world (or future world) doesn’t Disney update this place?” But watching the hour long river of people streaming out after the fireworks I realized that as long as people were pouring in “doing” Epcot Center there was really no reason to to so.

The park left as a 1980s era time capsule is still a spectacle as it stands. Lord knows what lessons another civilization will learn from it long after we’re gone.