travel

I arrived at the Tucson airport at around 3:30 pm, in plenty time to attempt to catch an earlier flight out. Whereas most airlines will let you on if there’s space, Delta insists on a secret handshake bestowed upon their elite SkyMiles members. While the miles I have pooled on Alaska Airlines will let me […]

Yet another example of when leaving the interstate (I-10) can be rewarding. I missed the turn into the Tucson Mountain District section of Saguaro National Park and followed this road until it dead-ended into a privately-owned quarry. The view back was worth it. The park’s visitor center was closed, but enough daylight remained for a

I’m in an undisclosed coffee shop in Chandler, AZ, basking in its functional air conditioning while I await my next appointment. The greater Phoenix area is much like I imagined it would be: big, flat and hot. It was 86°F when I left my motel this morning, yet it didn’t feel as oppressive the equivalent

I will be attending the American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco this December. The flight back officially takes 2 1/2 hours, but there’s also the airline system lunacy factor: I have to arrive early to have my shoes scrutinized by the TSA fashionistas; three ounce subportions of each toiletry — insufficient for a week

Tourists of the Ohio Rivarrrrrrrr An one-hour “complimentary reception […] open exclusively to […] Corporate Members and Exhibitors interested in corporate membership.” followed the show yesterday. Sales pitch off the starboard bow! Whoop. Whoop. Whoop. The exhibit staff made sure I knew I was invited: they placed a brochure on my laptop keyboard; two people

Chili and Diet Dr Pepper I officially ran out of tchotchkes last night at 6:59 p.m., just as the reception was winding down. The featured dinner was … Skyline Chili in meat and vegetable varieties. The chili has the familiar texture and appearance, but has a vague curry aroma. Its non-Scovill spiciness makes it interesting.

The keynote this morning was by Michael Wynne, Secretary of the Air Force. His overarching theme was integration of the engine into the systems on and off the aircraft. For example, since the F-86 fighter, the military has included the engine in the airframe design for efficiency. In commercial aerospace, most planes have the engine

Last night I assembled my bike in anticipation of seeing the greater Cincinnati area up close and personal. The bike made it through TSA’s clutches fine, but I discovered my frame pump was missing. TSA never fully closes the latches, so my theory is it fell out while they were rummaging. Grrr…. The nearest bike