Super-fantastic Journeys

 In today's view from the wing tip I was able to capture this shot of Soldiers Field, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Chicago Aquarium as we were flying the downwind leg out into Lake Michigan before turning to the left and coming in for a final approach into O'Hare International Airport.  It was a nice crisp November morning so the view was great.

When you see pictures of Antelope Canyon you cannot help to put it on your bucket lists of places you want to experience first hand.  The great news is that this is an easily accessbile item from your list that you can experience with a trip to Page, AZ. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon that has been created in the sandstone by floodwaters that come from the surrounding area when it rains.  The rainwater is funneled into this thin canyon through a small crack in the and as it's path is constricted into a smaller space, the force of the water carves the slot canyon.  As you stand inside the canyon you can see the waves of rock that have been created by the water flow.  At times the canyon is only wide enough for a single person to walk through and then it will open up into a small room.  The walls can reach up to 120 feet above you and they can limit the light, or at just the right moment the suns rays will find that path through the rocks and create a single ray...

 So when you talk about Mexican Food in the state of Texas, you have to be careful about what you are going to get.  There is a real variety but the most popular in Texas is really Tex-Mex.  What makes Tex-Mex different, we will start with the cheese and beef.  Tex-mex restaurants love Queso, a melted cheese sauce that is either served with chips as an appetizer or is used excessively to cover a burrito or enchilada.  Texans love to smother everything with queso and it is nasty, way too much for me.  The second item that separates Tex-Mex from other regional Mexican food is the use of beef.  When you order and enchilada with chili sauce (because you do not want all that queso) it is a red sauce with ground beef crumbled up in it.  This is not the same as a green chili from New Mexico or even a red chili from Arizona.  Beef also shows up in the ever-popular fajitas, sliced skirt steak grilled and served on a sizzling platter with lots of sides...

 If you have ever sat in your office looking at the Microsoft screen saver and said to yourself that you want to visit one of those photo locations before then Horseshoe Bend is an easy and accessible trail that will take you to one of those locations.  Horseshoe Bend is a location where the Colorado River makes a 270-degree bend, carving out a landscape that is inspiring and unforgettable.  You can easily combine a Horseshoe Bend hike with a trip to Upper Antelope Canyon in a single day and still have time to travel to your next location. Horseshoe Bend Trail Distance: 1.4 miles Trail Type: Out and Back Elevation Gain: 380 feet Time: 45 minutes Difficulty: easy All Trails Map The trailhead is well built out now due to the number of people who visit this location.  There is lots of parking available and there is an entry fee of $10 now.  While Horseshoe Bend is technically in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area, the National Park Pass does not work for entry to the ...

Arizona is a diverse state and it's National Park Sites are no exception.  Arizona plays host to a wide variety of National Park Sites from the ancestral homes of the Anasazi to the wide landscape views of the Grand Canyon. Arizona is a state with amazing rock features and the inspiring dessert plans that pull out every drop of moisture from the dessert they can to grow and bring life to a dry landscape.  I was fortunate to get to travel around Arizona a lot as a kid and went to a number of the National Parks sites as a youth.  I am only reporting as visited the sites that I have gone to since I started this project and have pictures of my own to share.  The sites are ranked by in my order of preference and of course I have my bucket list of sites I still need to visit. #1 Grand Canyon National Park The Grand Canyon is an amazing natural wonder and is something that everyone should have the opportunity to experience.  The challenge is the crowds of this...

 Flying out of Las Vegas McClaren Airport can provide you with some pretty unique views of the strip.  When selecting your seat you are going to want to get a seat on the right side of the airplane to be able to get the best views.  Be sure to be ready because as soon as the plane starts to rotate you will have just a little bit of time where you can see the strip.  I always enjoy this takeoff and shoot away. This first shot shows the strip from Mandalay Bay all the way down to the Stratosphere tower.  You can see the full length shortly after you are off the ground.   This second shot gives you a look down the strip, with just a little bit of the airfield still in the picture. While I am not a Raiders fan in any sense, I captured this shot to show off the new Raiders stadium located just west of the strip.

 The brewery scene in Texas has been growing like crazy after state laws were changed to allow for craft brewing establishments to open.  The Dallas/Fort Worth area now has a wide range of breweries to choose from and this post will be dedicated to those that are located on the west side of the DFW airport.   #1 Cowtown Brewing 1301 E Belknap St, Fort Worth, TX 76102 (817) 489-5800 Website Brews on Tap - 16 Food: Yes - Barbeque Indoor Seating - Yes Patio Seating - Yes Wait Staff  - Yes, very friendly and helpful Beer to go - Yes Located just east of downtown Fort Worth, Cowtown brewery combines great local craft beer with smoky barbeque, a perfect combination in Texas.  There is a large selection of beers on tap, 16 when I visited, covering a wide range of beer styles.  There are seasonal beers so you are able to continually experience new beers.  The food is really good and features Texas barbeque in many of the dishes.   Read More abou...