Aerial Filmworks is working with the Grand Canyon National Park to film the national park using the Cineflex V14HD. This amazing gyro-stabilized aerial system uses an integrated Sony CineAlta HDC1500 camera. The lens is a 42x 9.7mm Fujinon. All footage was recorded 1080/23.98p dual-link 4:4:4 to a Sony SRW1 deck on HDCAM SR tape stock.

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See the Grand Canyon for free

One Third Of Paving Completed On Unpaved Road To Grand Canyon West, Hualapai Tribe To Move Forward With Second Phase Of Paving.

The first phase of paving Diamond Bar Road, the infamous road leading to Grand Canyon West, is now completed. The Hualapai Tribe with cooperation from Mohave County Public Works, successfully reconstructed and paved 4.5 miles—nearly one third—of the previously unpaved 14-mile stretch of road. Diamond Bar Road is owned by Mohave County and is the primary access road to Grand Canyon West. The first phase of the project cost $7.5 million which was paid for by the Hualapai Tribe. The second phase that will reconstruct and pave the remaining portion of road is expected to go out to bid in Spring of 2010 and cost $40 million, which will also be financed by the Hualapai Tribe and possibly government grants. Until entirely completed, Mohave County Public Works is regularly maintaining the remaining unpaved driving surface of Diamond Bar Road. These improvements have dramatically increased the functionality and safety of the road.

“Paving Diamond Bar [Road] has been a long time in the making. Years even. It’s a big relief to us and our visitors,” said Wilfred Whatoname Sr., Chairman of the Hualapai Tribe. “The completion of this first section of road was a highly anticipated step to increase safety and accessibility to Grand Canyon West.”

“Seems like every year we are getting more and more within reach,” said Robert Bravo Jr., General Manager of Grand Canyon West. “Once projects like the road [Diamond Bar Road] and the Hoover Dam Bypass [expected to be completed at the end of 2010] are done, it will significantly reduce travel time. In most cases, like with visitors from Las Vegas, it will shorten the trip by up to two hours roundtrip….the new segment of paved road already saves visitors 30 minutes.”

The Diamond Bar Road project started more than 12 years ago. Environmental considerations, coordination between multiple government agencies, and funding were all essential components that were years in the making. The reconstruction and paving of the road began in May 2009. The project met extensive EPA compliance, which included the relocation of native plant life as well as many other environmentally conscious precautions. The collaboration between the Hualapai Tribe and Mohave County Public Works, particularly the assistance of Mike Hendrix, Director and Monte Wilson, Engineering Manager, has been instrumental to the current maintenance of the remaining unpaved driving surface. Similar Posts:

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Road to nowhere – now paved

That’s all I can say.

Some weeks are busier than others but this past week was jam-packed, thus the blog silence. It all began 37 years ago…

Earlier this year Julia and I signed up for Free Admission on Your Birthday! to Disneyland.

Celebrate your birthday with the most magical birthday gift of all — free admission on your birthday during 2009 to one of the Theme Parks of the Disneyland® Resort!

There were only two hiccups. One, it is only valid on your birthday. Two, Julia was busy on her’s. This may not seem like a big deal but our birthdays are only five days apart (Corbin’s is five days after that) and we’re both late November birthdays. Late November, as in Thanksgiving.

Saturday, we dropped Corbin off at Grandma’s so we can get an early start Sunday to head up to Anaheim before the gates open. You remember Anaheim don’t you. Just over 90 minutes later and we’re at the gates. The off-site parking gates but close enough.

Getting in was no trouble and the day was great, even though Julia was barred from most rides – “Expectant mothers should not ride” is a lot more common phrase than you think until you need to read it. Luckily, Disneyland is still a place for kids so we hit as many “safe” rides as we could (see Family Adventures and Fun For Little Ones).

One of our normal favorites is Astro Blasters. Anytime you can compete for points is fun (so long as you win or look good doing it). This time we tried a few different rides including the Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (yes, canoes) and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (which was being renovated last time we were there). In fact, I can’t remember the last time I went on the Submarine ride. More on the rides later – like what its like to paddle the mighty Rivers of America behind a 6-year old girl.

Oh, I almost forgot. Since its your birthday, they give a big button with your name on it so all the cast members (and more than a few guests) can wish you a happy birthday as you enjoy the park. And yes, its a little unsettling to have strangers wish you happy birthday by name.

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Whew!

Week 6 (Nov. 9-15): Yellowstone Photo Expedition with Canon Wish List — A trip for two to Yellowstone National Park, and a private lesson with a professional photographer and an awesome camera setup to capture it all.

Here’s my Dream Camera Wishlist inspired by this weeks prizes.

• Wishlist Sweepstakes
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• Sports Illustrated
• Baby’s got a brand new camera

My Dream Camera

He’s also beginning to understand more complex things we say. We used to have to use simple one-word instructions like “milk?” “teeth” and “hug” to ask if he wanted milk, brush his teeth or give us a hug. Now we can tell him to pick up several things, where to put them and what to do next all in one command. he also relates things that used to be separate in his mind, but I assume that’s related.

As I mentioned last week, we picked up a playhouse/climber/slide thing. Well Julia set it up at grandma’s and Corbin took to it quite nicely. When he was smaller, he used to enjoy going down slides. Then one day, he suddenly stopped. in fact, he seemed a little afraid of them. he would climb to the top and act like he wanted to slide, but would scream in protest if you tried to get him to actually go down it. I think he’s warming up to slides again with his new play structure.

This past weekend, we went to Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch. Last year we we to Oma’s Pumpkin Patch so we thought we’d try something different this year. And different it was. After driving north about an hour, past the San Diego Wild Animal Park, and just before Valley View Casino and through some very windy country roads, we come over one more slight hill to see a very large and very crowded dirt parking lot – complete with parking lot attendants directing traffic. Luckily we found a nice shady parking spot and happened to park near the Morelands who we were planning to meet there (they were still unloading) – what timing!

The Bates Nut farm offers Tractor Hayrides, a Straw Maze, Pony Rides, an Interactive Petting Corral, Face painting, Kids’n Paint, Rock Climbing, Inflatable Slide & Bouncer, BBQ, Ice Cream, Kettle Corn, Potatoes, Tacos, Hamburgers & Hot dogs, Live Entertainment and a Craft Fair.

Everything was pay-to-play so you only had to pay for what you did and the prices were on par with the local fair. In fact, it felt very much like a small version of the county fair. As many people as there were, it wasn’t crowded but it wasn’t casual either. There was ample room to move around but there were people everywhere. Over all, we enjoyed it but I think we’ll look for something a little more relaxing (and close to home) next time.Similar Posts:

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Corbin at 22 months

Truer words were never said, especially when referring to Comic-Con.

Let’s be honest, I had no business being there and most of what makes Comic-Con great was wasted on me. That said, I’d go again in a heartbeat.

I arrived around 10:30 Friday morning to find hundreds of people milling about the streets leading to the San Diego Convention Center. Much like a Mardi Gras parade or outside a concert venue, there were people handing out promotional fliers and dressed in various costumes, all trying to tap into the excitement that is Comic-Con.

One of the nice things about the San Diego Convention Center (here after referred to as SDCC) is that it is separated from the rest of Downtown by the Trolley Lines. That means all cars and pedestrians have to funnel down to designated crossing points to get to the SDCC. This makes finding your way much easier since wayfinding signage is focused at these crossing points.

Once there, I simply followed the signs and verbal instructions to the place where I picked up my badge. Arriving after 10:30 was a huge help since the morning lines have all but disappeared by then and I didn’t have to arrive at 3am just to get a spot in line.

Badge pick-up is upstairs so once you get your badge, you navigate your way back downstairs to the convention hall floor. From there, you’re lost in a sea of freaks and geeks and everything in between. Just remember where you started so you can navigate the hundreds of booths and avoid going in circles. This is key to getting the most out of your visit and to finding your way back out.

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Next time, I’m bringing a guide

We woke up bright and early on June 4th to make our way to the airport. Unfortunately we didn’t have quite the results we were expecting in more ways than one. First, we missed our 8:30am flight by a few minutes. Second, the next available plane wasn’t boarding till 11:30am. Third, no nap could possibly mean a horrible flight for him, for us, and all around us. We woke up bright and early on June 4th to make our way to the airport. Unfortunately we didn’t have quite the results we were expecting in more ways than one. First, we missed our 8:30am flight by a few minutes. Second, the next available plane wasn’t boarding till 11:30am. Third, no nap could possibly mean a horrible flight for him, for us, and all around us…

Read more: First Plane Ride | PhotoJulia

Also, be sure and take a look at her new site design. I cannibalized a couple of themes and could really use your feedback on what works and what doesn’t. Keep in mind Julia likes the black background and the top image thing, everything else is flexible. Just make sure you leave your feedback here since I’m the code monkey, not Julia.Similar Posts:

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Corbin earns his wings

Grand Canyon West, owned by the Hualapai Tribe, in partnership with National Geographic Channel announces the premiere of the “making of” documentary revealing never-before-seen footage of the design and construction of the Grand Canyon Skywalk, the glass walkway nearly 4000 feet (1200 meters) above the floor of the Grand Canyon in Northwest Arizona. The documentary, Grand Canyon Skywalk, will premiere in high definition exclusively on the National Geographic Channel on April 2, 2009 at 8 PM ET/PT. The documentary will also be shown in the theater inside the Skywalk Visitor Center (once completed) and available for purchase in the gift shop.

“This documentary is a milestone for the Hualapai Nation and its accomplishments and has taken years to complete,” said Wilfred Whatoname Sr., Chairman of the Hualapai Nation. “We hope that people enjoy seeing how this breathtaking structure came to be and will be inspired to come see it first hand.”

“This documentary is truly one of a kind. It explores for the first time the most intimate details of one of the most daring engineering accomplishments in modern history and reveals a remarkable cultural story of a small Native American tribe’s struggle to secure an independent future,” said Steve Burns, Executive Vice President of Content for the National Geographic Channel.

The hour long special, produced by KAOS Entertainment for National Geographic Channel, is an in-depth documentary focusing on the technical aspects of the Grand Canyon Skywalk which will feature the design and construction from start to finish. Much of the footage that will be used to create the program has never been seen by the public, making this documentary the first and only true behind the scenes look at one of the world’s most unique structures and engineering marvels. The documentary also includes exclusive interviews with the people that made the Skywalk possible including David Jin (Founder of Grand Canyon Skywalk, LLC) and Wilfred Whatoname Sr. (Chairman of the Hualapai Nation), as well as the project’s engineers and architects.

For a sneak preview of the show, visit: channel.nationalgeographic.com
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Skywalk on National Geographic Channel

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Fresh Powder equals White Christmas

Peach Springs, AZ

PEACH SPRINGS, AZ (August 6, 2008) Peach Springs is a small town located on a remote portion of Route 66 in Northwestern Arizona that is void of many modern conveniences, including cell phone reception. Yet, it has been an essential hub for American travelers for well over a century. As waves of new transportation technologies came, the town had its booms, busts and was nearly a forgotten, literally bypassed by progress. Peach Springs has again started to regain its rightful “place on the map.” As of July 2008, the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs offers free wireless internet to all of its overnight guests, which is reconnecting the small town not only to the United States, but the world. The Hualapai Lodge is now the only location within 45 miles in any direction that visitors adventuring on the historic Route 66 can access the internet.

“We wanted to add value to the guest experience, so once it became an option, we decided to provide them with WiFi internet in all the rooms, conference rooms, and restaurant free of charge,” said Nancy Echeverria, Property Manager of the Hualapai Lodge. “Now visitors can communicate with their friends and relatives all over the world. Free WiFi at the Hualapai Lodge is just a taste of what is yet to come. It always amazes me how this area manages to land on its feet despite the difficult hands it gets dealt. Peach Springs, the Lodge in particular, have improvements coming up that will help put us back on the map.”

Historic Route 66

Peach Springs has had economic ups and downs but has always been a hub connecting the Eastern United States to the West. In 1883 the railroad came to Peach Springs and a small settlement was created. By the 1930’s the railroad technology had advanced and Peach Springs was no longer a necessary stop while on the way to California or Nevada. As a result, the small remote town was devastated. Railroad facilities and supporting businesses shut down and tourism ceased. As the automobile became more popular, especially after World War II, tourism returned to Peach Springs. Being located on Route 66, then a major east-west artery for the rapidly growing Los Angeles area, the town blossomed once again. However, with the completion of Interstate 40 in 1979, which bypasses Peach Springs by 25 miles, another economic slump had set in. In 1997 the Hualapai Lodge was opened by the Hualapai Tribe. The Lodge was, and currently remains, the only lodging, which contains the only restaurant, in Peach Springs. It also facilitates the accommodations for the increasing popular Hualapai River Runners, which offers the ONLY ONE DAY whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. Now, with the regeneration of tourist looking for a true adventure, Peach Springs is making a slow, yet more sustainable comeback.

The Hualapai Lodge

The Hualapai Lodge is located directly on the historic Route 66 in the capital of the Hualapai Nation, Peach Springs, Arizona. Because of the accessibility to the Grand Canyon, the Hualapai Lodge is the center for many of the Hualapai’s tourism options including whitewater rafting, off-road tours, helicopter tours, hiking, fishing, and hunting. The Hualapai Lodge is also the starting point for the only road that leads to the Colorado River at the bottom on the Grand Canyon, which is 19 miles away. The Hualapai Lodge features a heated saltwater pool and spa, 24-hour front desk, fitness center, custom river-rock fireplace with a lounge area, and a gift shop with Native American arts and crafts. Group rates and conference room/meeting facilities are available. The full-service Diamond Creek Restaurant, recipient of a AAA 2 Diamond rating, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Visitors can view a complete list of activities, book reservations, and get directions on the web at www.destinationgrandcanyon.com or calling 1(877) 716-WEST (9378).Similar Posts:

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Peach Springs, Arizona: A Nearly Forgotten Town Reconnecting To The World