As you many of you already know, I like to travel. I enjoy the rush of packing up and going someplace new. I like watching people at the airport. I love the feeling as the jets kick in and the plane is pushed into the wide open sky. In general, I just enjoy everything about travel. Today was a day that made me wonder why…
I arrived at the Salt Lake City International Airport around 8:30am and soon learned my flight was delayed 30 minutes. I was fine with that; it would give me more time to get through security, grab something to eat, and maybe surf the internet before the flight. When I got to security I was pleasantly surprised to see that there wasn’t even a line. It was looking like it was going to be a good travel day… boy was I wrong.
After waiting the extra 30 minutes for the delay we boarded the plane and got settled in for a direct flight to Dallas. We sat on the runway for about 30 minutes and then they announced that we were being delay for another 3 hours! The reason? Strong winds in Dallas. They took us back to the terminal and we all got off the plane. Within an hour, they had cancelled the flight completely. So, now there were 60 people all trying to get to Dallas (or other places) all at the same time and only two more flight scheduled for that day.
Long story short, after being on standby for two more flights and not getting one either, I finally got a spot on the red-eye flight to Atlanta with connection to Dallas. It left SLC at 12:50am. I couldn’t stand being in the airport any more that day (9 hours and counting), so I called a friend and you went out for dinner and I was back in time to catch the night flight.
The red-eye flight to Atlanta was only three hours, but I slept through the whole thing. I was on the last row by the window, so I was literally the last passenger to get off the plane. I had just enough time to catch my connecting flight to Dallas. I arrived at 8:53am in Dallas and my presentation started at 11:00am in Denton. I ended up taking a taxi to Denton (35 minutes) and arrived right when the presentation before me was starting. I changed in the bathroom and listened to the end of the presentation and then I presented. It went very well (maybe better than if I had had a full night’s sleep) and everyone was glad I had made it. I still love to travel and see new places. I still enjoy people watching and that feeling when the jet FINALLY leaves the ground… and yet I think I like it most of all when everything runs smoothly and you can just sit back and enjoy the ride. :)
Dallas, Texas - I had heard about this statue (or rather this group of 40+ statues) of a longhorn cattle drive and I had to check it out for myself. It is in Pioneer Park, near the old cemetery and starts at the top of the hill and goes down a path over a river and to the edge of the park. It really is hard to describe how cool and fun this work of art is. You can walk around it, touch it and feel it. There are three mounted cowboy statues that keep the stare cattle from leaving the group. Each longhorn is unique and some even seem to be smiling (just like the people who are enjoying this impressive site). My photographs don’t do Robert Summers’ artist work justice, but hopefully you’ll enjoy them and if you are ever in Dallas you should stop by for a little cattle rustling.
Cowboy on a hill over looking the longhorn cattle drive and downtown Dallas
Detail of one of the cowboy statues in Pioneer Park
Cowboy racing after the stray cattle
Cowboy on horse
The longhorn cattle drive (sculptures by Robert Summers)
Papagos Park in Tempe Arizona 
Mill Avenue Bridge at Night
Hayden's Ferry at Night
Tempe Arizona - I was in Arizona over the weekend for a conference at Arizona State University. A colleague and I presented and had a great turn out. It was nice to do some networking with people from all over the country. We also had a very important and profitable dinner meeting at the House of Tricks. I think this trip and the meeting will be one of those career-defining moments. :)
The Coor Building on ASU Campus - I like the reflection in the glass on this building
Hayden Library (ASU)
“Spirit” (Artist, Buck McCain) 
Philadelphia is a great place for anyone interested in US history. This was my second visit to Philadelphia and once again I was drawn to the historical buildings, especially Independence Hall. Where else can you stand where our country was, quite literally, created? Thinking about the Declaration of Independency and the Constitution reminds me of two “literary” works; Miracle at Philadelphia and the Broadway musical 1776. I read Miracle at Philadelphia when I was taking a US history class. It was a good read and I enjoyed it. The musical 1776 is one of my favorites. I’ve always been interested in the people who helped form our country and the musical is an enjoyable way to look at these people with a lively and human twist. I only spent an hour or so at the hall and would love to spend more time enjoying the history, finding the perfect picture, thinking about the past, and contemplating the future. (Right - Independence Hall)
Detail in Independence Hall
Library Hall - The first public library (1789). The building in my photograph was built in the 20th century based on the 18th century building. Unfortunately it was closed when I was there... You know I like a good library. :)
I'm in Philadelphia for a few days. I'm speaking at two workshops here in town. It is nice to be back; last time we stopped in Philadelphia it was too short of a visit. :) My hotel is at Penn's Landing and my room has great views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the city (you can even see Independence Hall from my windows). After getting settled in I went for a little walk past some of the historic buildings. It was very cold though so I didn't stay out very long. My main destination was Independence Hall (picture to the right). I think this is a very cool building; it was here that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, created, drafted and signed. Right across the street is the building that houses the Liberty Bell; it is arranged in such a way that you can see the bell from outside as well as inside (see last picture).
Philadelphia from my hotel window
Ben Franklin Bridge from my hotel window
The Hoover Dam is not far from Las Vegas. We decided to drive out there and check it out. The dam was completed in 1935 and has some great Art Deco details (like the statute to the right). The dam serves for many things. It supplies electricity and water for the surrounding area. It provides space for water activities. It is a tourist attraction and it is one of the major routes from Nevada to Arizona. The traffic was backed up at least 6 miles; there is only one lane each way going across the dam. They are currently building a bridge just south of the dam. It looks like it will be a very cool bridge. They have both ends finished and have started the huge arch! It is fun to see them working on it. I'm sure it will have a great view of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Colorado River.
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