Grand Canyon - October 1999
As the last calendar day of 2008 passed by I found myself with a desire to reminisce and dig through boxes of old pictures. The New Year always seems like a great time to take a peak back on previous years to see where one has been, what one has accomplished, and creates a hope for what is to come. I have been very fortunate and feel very blessed to have had many memorable years of travel, quality time with family, and many work opportunties that have provided once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The friends and experiences made along the way offer a sense of completeness and fulfillment, and yet, I still have a long road ahead to create many new life experiences - and photos. On this latest particular photo dig I came across memories of a time and place I experienced in Arizona with good friends.
I served in the Air Force from Feb. '97 - Feb. '01 which anymore by a measure of time is literally a decade ago now. Crazy, where does time go?! During my commitment with the military stationed in Alaska - which in and of itself offers a truly unparalleled living experience - a good friend and co-worker of mine were sent to Arizona on TDY for continued technical training. Ironically, the best recollections of this trip were not so much the material we learned, but the good times we had while on our weekend roadtrips.
During our 45 day stay out west courtesy of the military we took advantage of opportunities to visit Mexico, Las Vegas, California, and the Grand Canyon. The photos from my visit to the Grand Canyon on the morning of 10/9/99 was my third trip ever. On previous visits with family we spectated from the rim and visitor's center, much like this latest visit. One memorable summer during my elementary school years my father had planned a vacation for my family to hike and camp down in the canyon valley. (Those pictures are stashed somewhere in a family album or in a box at my father's house.)
Our impromptu road trip to Las Vegas on a 3-day weekend included a stop at the Grand Canyon National Park and a drive by viewing of Hoover Dam. My Air Force buddies and I drove 5 hours from Sierra Vista on a Friday afternoon to arrive at the outside of the park in the late evening. We were fortunate to find a motel to get some rest. On previous family vacations I recall the Flagstaff area generally packed full of tourist limiting lodging options. After a short night's sleep, we gathered up at around 5:30am and headed towards the park entrance which was open sometime in the early hours before later heading out to Las Vegas.
Our morning at the park was brief. We wasted little time finding a place to park near the visitor's center and lodges. The views offered just inside the park are incredible. If you are ever in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon it is definitely a "must see" attraction. After all, it isn't one of the "Seven Wonders of the Natural World" for nothing. The Grand Canyon shares this accolade with other locations and natural phenomenon such as the Great Barrier Reef, Harbour of Rio de Janeiro, Mount Everest, Aurora Borealis, Paricutin Volcano, and Victoria Falls. Of this list, the only other I have experienced are the northern lights in Alaska. Elaborate planning is not required for an enjoyable visit. Simply stand in amazement of the natural wonder that the canyon offers. You will leave refreshed and in awe that is mother nature.
Afterwards, once the sun was up in the sky and the heat started to set in, we had breakfast at a restaurant within the park and started on our way to Sin City. The highway to Nevada from Arizona takes travelers across the Hoover Dam. To the best of my knowledge, if you are taking the shortest route from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, all passenger vehicles must cross here. Although time was already pressing, the traffic delay at the dam was enough to allow us time to hop out of the car, take some quick snapshots, and chase the progress of our car in moving traffic.
I am excited for what 2009 has in store, what places I might visit, or what new experiences I will be introduced to. I hope you and your families get to enjoy life and truly "get out there." There is so much life to enjoy and to sit in a home and never experience was this country has to offer is truly a shame. Part of what got me started on this blog was to promote the local offerings in Florida. Of course, there is not much in the way of a plane ticket and a brief visit to another state to enjoy this country. Get out, experience new things, and in 10 years have the opportunity to look back on a life well lived.
All the best in 2009. - Eugenio
My first order of business once I arrive at the track is to set up wireless data radios atop our race haulers for garage area network coverage. It's usually a good place to watch the hustle and bustle of garage crew unloading cars, tool carts, and other equipment out of the transporters. This is also a good time to visually check and make sure our mobile satellite tv and internet dishes have deployed and don't have any parts or pieces hanging off of them. 
The first unloading of cars is always a sight to see. At the moment the garage opens crew members race to their haulers. Dozens of platforms lower while crew members secure the car from rolling off the back of the trailer. I shot this while inside of the 29 car hauler hallway. I believe this was the Bud Shootout car that was being wheeled out for inspection. Behind the wheel is one of our engineers ready to steer the car while being pushed by crew members.
By mid-day the garage area is in full swing. Cars are being pushed through inspection stations or getting tuned in the garage for an upcoming practice or qualifying session. Tire guys are busy checking air pressures, measuring the outside diameter of tires, and creating sets for the weekend. Transporter drivers are usually restocking coolers with drinks, carting car parts to the garage stalls, or meticulously keeping things organized and clean inside of the hauler work areas. Throughout the morning at various times teams will start cars, rev engines, and fine tune various suspension components. 
This image is one of many practices throughout the week. The #17 car would go on to win the Daytona 500 after rain ended the race early. Ironically, he leads the pack during this practice. 
Body work on a car is a common practice throughout the weekend; however, I have never seen it done to this extent. Most of the time, after a fender bender, panels are straightened and decals re-applied, but if teams are unable to go to a backup car after a collision during practice, it's serious repair time. Just like replacing a motor or swapping out transmission components, the 07 team rebuilds the rear end body of their car in record time using bondo, automotive primer, and finally a professional paint job in a makeshift paint booth an an adjacent empty garage stall. Come race day, you couldn't tell the car had ever been damaged. Amazing. If you look closely at the image on the left you can barely make out the Sharpie writing on the paper masking which reads "Special: $295 Paint Jobs. Today Only." I suppose you have to use a little humor to get by every now and again. 
Crew members for the 31 Catepillar team assemble on pit road just before the start of the race. I happened to be in the pit box scrambling to fix an issue on the crew chief's tablet just before the cars started to roll onto the track. Last minute issues always make for stressful moments. 
Most weekends end just like this - a blur. A long walk onto the tarmac after a weary day at the track signifies our finish line. Once on the plane there isn't a whole lot of commotion or chatter. We usually eat, pop in earbuds to listen to music, or most recline their seats and get in a nap before landing back at home. It's the start of the next race where we'll get up early and start all over again. Next weekend we travel to Fontana, CA. After that Vegas baby! Stay tuned for more images from the road.
As the last calendar day of 2008 passed by I found myself with a desire to reminisce and dig through boxes of old pictures. The New Year always seems like a great time to take a peak back on previous years to see where one has been, what one has accomplished, and creates a hope for what is to come. I have been very fortunate and feel very blessed to have had many memorable years of travel, quality time with family, and many work opportunties that have provided once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The friends and experiences made along the way offer a sense of completeness and fulfillment, and yet, I still have a long road ahead to create many new life experiences - and photos. On this latest particular photo dig I came across memories of a time and place I experienced in Arizona with good friends. 
Our impromptu road trip to Las Vegas on a 3-day weekend included a stop at the Grand Canyon National Park and a drive by viewing of Hoover Dam. My Air Force buddies and I drove 5 hours from Sierra Vista on a Friday afternoon to arrive at the outside of the park in the late evening. We were fortunate to find a motel to get some rest. On previous family vacations I recall the Flagstaff area generally packed full of tourist limiting lodging options. After a short night's sleep, we gathered up at around 5:30am and headed towards the park entrance which was open sometime in the early hours before later heading out to Las Vegas. 
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