In the Air: Destination Las Vegas

In August I attended a conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Not my first choice for an August conference, but we lucked out and the weather was actually nice. The flight was great - here are a few photos from the plane.

Lake of the Ozarks, with Camdenton visible at the crossroads. Ha Ha Tonka State Park is just beyond Camdenton.

In the Air: Destination Los Angeles

I flew to Los Angeles for a much needed vacation and to attend a concert by... The Strokes at the Forum. It was one of the best vacations I've had in a while. One of the best parts was that I got to fly on my favorite aircraft type... the intrepid Boeing 757.

In the Air: The Return Home

With the conference in San Francisco having drawn to a close, it was time to head back home to Missouri. Here are some snaps from the flights back to Columbia, starting at SFO.

In the Air: Destination San Francisco

Here are a few snaps taken from our Airbus 321 Neo on the flight from Dallas to San Francisco. We flew over Canyon Country on the way, as well as some mountains in California. Great flight!

Back on the ground at SFO... and seeing the intrepid 757

Bonus Photos: Over Greenland

On the return flight from Heathrow, I was in the middle of watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on the in-flight entertainment system when the captain came on the P.A. to announce that we were in for a treat today. He said that normally, Greenland is obscured by clouds, but today, it was fully visible. So I busted the camera out of the carry-on, and started photographing something I never expected to see. Here are some of those photos... the white specks in the water are iceburgs.

I Take A Ride In The Tin Goose!

Yes, you're wondering what is a Tin Goose. It's an airplane, a Ford Tri-Motor to be exact. In February of 1990, a Tin Goose came to the Venice, Florida airport to give tourist rides. I'm not sure how I heard about the rides, but it wouldn't surprise me that I just happened to be driving by the airport and saw the sign.

Actually, I rode the Tin Goose twice. The first time was on February 11, 1990, but I did not have my camara. That's why I think I just happened across the airplane - had I known about it, I would have had the camera. Luckily, they would be back the next week, so on the 18th, I took a second ride, this time with the camera.

It was quite a lot of fun riding in an historic airplane. According to airliners.net, this airplane was flown by Charles Lindbergh for American Airlines, and that he gave Henry Ford his only plane ride in it.

In 1992, the plane was severly damaged by hurricane Andrew, but was repaired. As of 2007, the plane is still alive and well, according to the Sandusky Register.

Tin Goose, tail number N7584.

Inside the cabin.

Just after taking off from Venice airport.

Still climbing out, looking south along the coast.

After a left turn, looking back at the Venice airport.

Looking east over Venice.

Now facing west, with the airport in the background.

Turning to prepare to return to the airport.

Very close to landing. The bridge is Business 41.

Crossing a perpendicular runway while taxing.

A fellow passenger deplanes.

Front of the aircraft.