The View From Here

Every once in a while, I have a view that I just can't resist getting a shot of. Sometimes, I take pictures of things I already have shots of, but Mt. Hood and Crater Lake look different from season to season, even day to day depending on light conditions, snow accumulation, etc. This is one of my favorites--Mt. Hood on January 10, 2011, in the late afternoon light.

The View From Here will be series of shots, old and new, from my "mobile office." Enjoy!

Lufthansa 747 operates first transatlantic biofuel flight to US | ATWOnline

Lufthansa 747 operates first transatlantic biofuel flight to US | ATWOnline

Favorite things

I did a short "favorite things" post a couple years ago, but it's time to share more. These are things that make life on the road (or in the air as the case may be) easier and more enjoyable.

• Smartphone. In my case, the HTC Evo. In the year since I got it, I've learned to do most everything mobile: banking, email, text, news, weather, music, navigation, Netflix, and on and on. It means using my laptop less frequently which lightens my roller bag quite a bit and saves time.
• Kindle. This was a Christmas gift last year and I was reluctant at first to stray from the tried and true paper of a good book. Although I still love the aesthetics of a book, I have come to appreciate the convenience of the Kindle for traveling. I can see a future of reading magazines and newspapers on a device as well. Sure cuts down on the paper I carry around!
• Smartwool kneesocks. Hey, it's the little things that brighten your day sometimes! After two winters freezing my butt off in the flight deck of the frosty Q400, I hunted high and low for good black kneesocks. Finally found a 3-pack of Smartwools on line and have been flying comfortably ever since!

Unfortunately, I can't afford to give all my viewers a goody bag of my favorite things like Oprah used to do, so you'll have to enjoy from the sidelines!