You see my son-in-law Steve goes by another name- Dallas. Steve is Major Steve Horton the #4 slot pilot for the United States Air Force Flight Demonstration Team-The Thunderbirds.

The occasion was the Approval show-the very first show of the season but open to only friends and family of the whole team and several high ranking Generals with pen and paper taking notes on every move. Approximately 1000 got the honor of seeing the new 2006 team do their stuff over their home at Nellis AFB under overcast skies. The crowd is so small by comparison to a normal show of 200,000 attendees that it feels like a private audience with the Pope. The biggest ever crowd was at Coney Island on 4 July1987 -a mere 2.25 million watched in awe that day.

And if that wasnt enough the following night it was the annual show season kickoff dinner, which at least partially celebrates the end of a grueling training schedule. This year the dinner was held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in beautiful downtown Las Vegas.

That gave me the opportunity to meet some of the new team members up close and personal including LTC Kevin Robbins Commander/Leader, aka the boss; MAJ Ed Casey, Opposing Solo; CPT Nichole Malachowski, Right Wing aka FiFi; and CPT Tad Clark, Narrator. FiFi is the first female Thunderbird flight team member-a tribute to her ability as a pilot-was the subject of a Good Morning America story that very morning.

As you might imagine this very elite group of 6 flyers, 6 other officers and a support team of 135 outstanding young men and women are, simply put, the very best in the world. All that talent, energy, dedication, teamwork, pride in what they do and how they do it-I am humbled to be in their presence but so proud to be an American.

In a nutshell the Thunderbird mission is primarily to support recruiting and retention programs and as you might imagine public relations. The team probably spends as much time at meet and greets as they do flying. They are a PR machine-and not a bad machine at that.

The Thunderbirds have a very demanding schedule that runs from March to November every year with usually 65-75 shows in upwards of 30 states. Check out www.nellis.af.mil for more information and a show near you. It is an experience you wont forget and wellit is AWESOME!

Attention America: Here come the Thunderbirds! is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips

1: Cruise ships have set itineraries so they want their ships to be at full capacity each time they leave the port. If you schedule your cruise vacation for the off season you can save as much as 50% of the cost during peak season. Keep a close eye on last minute deals too. Many cruise lines will offer much lower prices to sell those remaining spots instead of setting sail with them unsold.

2: Take the time to look at everything a cruise package is offering you. Most of them are all inclusive meaning everything on the ship is included in one price. Yet there are many amenities that you wont be using you are throwing your money away. Look for a cruise that only offers the items you will be likely to use.

3: When you book your cruise you will be offered many different options for your accommodations. The more room you have and the nicer they are, the more expensive they will be. Yet on a cruise most people only spend time in their room to sleep and shower. You can save a great deal of money going with more basic accommodations.

4: If you can get a large group of people to book the same cruise, you will likely be able to save 15% or 20%. A group in generally considered 20 people or more. The entire group will get the discount on the portion they are responsible to pay. Make sure you find out which cruise line can offer you the best deal before you commit to one.

4 Tips For Finding A Great Cruise At A Good Price is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips

1. For road trips, get the right maps and plan your route thoroughly. Everything wont go exactly to plan, but at least youll have much fewer nasty surprises.

2. Never, ever make a joke about bombs or terrorists near security at an airport. Many people have jokingly mentioned they have a small bomb in their case as their luggage is being inspected. Later at the police station they deeply regretted their stupidity.

3. Be immediately suspicious in airports, railway or bus stations when someone bumps into you. It may be a pickpocket. Also be aware if something is spilled on you, or a spot on your clothing is pointed out to you. These things are designed to distract your attention from what is really going on: the theft of your valuables.

4. While cruises make planning easy with their all in charges, there is likely to be many extra items that you should budget for. These include, taxes, surcharges and fees, tipping, drinks, some shore excursions, shopping purchases, etc.

5. The most obvious thing to check on before setting off on a foreign trip is the state of the local weather where you are going. You dont want to arrive in a tee shirt if its snowing, or in a fur coat if its in the 90s.

6. When travelling with children bring along recent photos of each one. If a child gets lost, the photo will prove invaluable in helping to locate the child again.

7. A trip to a theme park will suffer from a lack of careful planning. Some parks are so big that planning is essential. Get a list of all the rides and a map of the park, as well as opening and closing times, before setting off.

7 Tips For Travel Trips is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips

Family Resorts in the Alps

Many resorts throughout the area cater to families. In these resorts, families with children make up the bulk of their business. There is plenty for both parents and children to enjoy. Horse drawn sleigh rides, skiing and snowboarding are popular family activities. Just about all family resorts offer ski instruction especially for children as well as adult lessons for mom and dad. Some offer night skiing, either nightly or on certain evenings during the week.

After a day of skiing, parents can enjoy the sauna and Jacuzzi, while children enjoy the variety of play areas and activities geared especially for them. If mom and dad want an evening alone, many resorts offer babysitting services. Many family resorts are low tech and dont have internet access or video games, but some do have these features available. Many families enjoy the low tech atmosphere, which encourages children to enjoy the outdoors and other activities offered.

Many of these resorts are located in small villages scattered throughout the alps. These offer quaint scenery and older hotels. Restaurants are nearby, if you want to leave the resort, or you can eat right inside the resort. Others are in larger tourist areas and contain luxury hotels and apartments for families to rent.

Singles Resorts in the Alps

Other resorts are geared for the younger crowd. These are more popular with single people in their 20s and couples without children. These resorts offer more expert runs for skiing and snowboarding. Many are near glaciers and have monster pipes built into the glaciers that allow snowboarding even in the summer. More experienced skiers generally choose these resorts.

Many of these resorts are wired with internet access. Rather than family based activities, they contain bars, lounges and a busier nightlife. Most offer night skiing with lighted trails for skiing or snowboarding in the dark.

For the more adventurous, mountaineering is a popular activity in the area. Daily climbing excursions or multi day trips are common here. Hut to Hut tours make it easier to climb more difficult routes. These are great for multi day excursions. You wont need to carry heavy overnight gear with you, as you would when camping. The huts have what you need for sleeping.

Easier to more difficult routes are available with hut to hut climbing. The easier routes tend to be more crowded and the huts fill up quickly. The more difficult routes are less crowded, but are not meant for beginning mountain climbers. There is generally more room in the huts on these trips.

A Guide To Resorts In The Alps is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips

1. Las Ramblas

Running from seafront through to Placa de Catalunya, Las Ramblas is a fusion of market stalls and street entertainment. Watch out for the mime artists, though keep a hand on your wallet.

2. Sagrada Familia Church

In progress since 1882, La Sagrada Familia is perhaps Antonio Gaudis most magnificent achievement. As yet unfinished, the ongoing construction of this gothic masterpiece is financed through tourism.

3. Picasso Museum

Born in Malaga, Pablo Picasso moved to Barcelona during his teen years. Though many of his greatest works are in private hands, the Picasso Museum on the Carrer Moncada is well worth a visit.

4. Casa-Museu Gaudi

A pink, Alice-in-Wonderland house is the setting for the Gaudi museum. Gaudi lived in this surreal location between 1906 and 1926 with his niece. Exhibits in the museum include furniture, drawings and portraits designed by the great man himself.

5. The Poble Espanyol

Completed in 1929, the Spanish Village is a compilation of buildings representing the collective architectural characteristics of Spain. A celebration of all things Spanish, the village has become a gathering place to dine and be entertained.

6. Bishops Palace

After being destroyed by fire, Bishop Juan Bautista Grau i Vallespins commissioned Antonio Gaudi to design a new, more magnificent palace in 1887. Upon the bishops death, and consequent interference from the diocese, Gaudi abandoned the project. It was not inhabited until 1961.

7. Gothic Quarter

On the site of an ancient Roman village, the Gothic Quarter is a contrast of contemporary and medieval architecture, incorporating the magnificent 14th century cathedral.

8. Olympic Stadium

During 1992, the eyes of the world focused on the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona as they hosted the Olympic Games. Today a popular athletics facility, the stadium was a redesigned version of the original built in 1929.

9. Passeig de Gracia

As one of the major shopping areas of Barcelona, Passeig de Gracia caters for the modest, and also those who prefer the more sophisticated boutiques. Bars and restaurants also line the thoroughfare.

10. Lovers Day

On behalf of those looking for romance, Barcelona obliges with its own version of St Valentines, known as Lovers Day, celebrated every April 23rd.

10 Must-Dos When In Barcelona is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips

This place is chosen because of its difference form anything else, it is unlike any other state in the U.S., and in fact it is unique to anywhere else in the world.

Many people who experienced the close contact with the Alaska glacier will tell you that it is an experience unlike any other and that the visit to the glacier is a close look at something amazing, most of the people who just looked at a glacier form far away are not aware of this since they have not seen the glacier from that close, it is truly a once in a lifetime experience. The numbers talk for themselves, as many tourists to Alaska as flocking to the Alaska glacier cruise.

Unfortunately the weather conditions and some new threats are making the glaciers something that needs to be seen now, and not something that we can assume will always be there for us to visit, the global warming effect is just starting to claim it very high toll on the glaciers and because of its effect we know that many glaciers are losing great parts and melting into the ocean. Other problems that raise a serious concerned for the glaciers are new decisions by the U.S. congress makes difficult decisions about the right to drill in glaciers. This situation causes some people to go and see the wonder before it will be gone, or even out of a great concern to the environment.

The way to travel to the glacier by cursing next to it and slowly observing every activity that is happening around it or on it is just perfect, not only perfect it is the natural way to observe these giants since they also have a rhythm of their own, and not rushing to watch the whole glacier as fast as possible will provide you with a much more fulfillment than any other way. This travel method does cost a little more and demands more time, but it is certainly worth it.

There is a very good chance that in your cruise you will witness very special events that take place on the ground, Alaska has an abundance of wildlife and seeing the wild animals in their natural habitat, behaving as they would weather or not you would have been cruising in a considerable distance from them is something as unique as the glacier visits.

In conclusion, the Alaska glacier cruise has something unique to offer, it can be a special vacation for you and you family, the cruise itself is an experience and the glaciers are phenomenal, enjoy this remarkable way to travel and you will not forget it for the rest of your life.

Alaska Glacier Cruise Experience is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips

The fee you pay for crewed sailing charters may be different depending on the part of the world where you want to charter a sailing yacht. In North America, the cost includes the rent of the yacht, the fee for the captain and the crew, as well as insurance that you pay just in case of an accident. In addition to this cost, if you charter a crewed sailing yacht the cost of the provisions, berthing fees and fuel are extras and you do need to pay them when you arrive back at the starting port. In the Mediterranean, the cost of a crewed sailing charter also includes fuel, berthing charges and water that you need to have on board the yacht.

When you start looking at the types of charter yachts, you can choose either motor or sail crewed charters. If you choose crewed sailing charters, you will experience the thrill of sailing slowly along the ocean. This is often the choice of couples that want to experience the romance of the sea. The number of people that will be going with you on the crewed sailing yacht will also determine the type of boat you need to charter. A crewed yacht is generally available for charter for a week, but you can also book these charters on a daily basis. The length of time you choose for the charter will determine the number of places that you get to visit.

When you make up your budget for crewed yacht charters, you have to include the cost of return airfare to the destination where you will board the sailing yacht. Look at what the charter company includes in its costs and then make allowances for food, fuel, anchorage and of course shopping and entertainment in the various places you dock. Then when you total this list you can determine whether or not a crewed sailing yacht is within your budget. Usually people plan for this type of vacation several years in advance and save up the money they will need to book the charter.

Once you make the booking for crewed yacht charters, the company will send you a contract to sign. When you return the signed contract, you will also have to make a 25% – 50% deposit on the reservation or you may have to make this deposit even before you receive the contract. There will also be a detailed questionnaire for you to complete so that the crew will be able to provide you with the vacation you are looking for. You will have to pay the balance of the cost of crewed yacht charters one month prior to your departure date. This way the only extra money you have to take with you is what you plan to spend while on vacation.

Booking Crewed Sailing Charters What You Need To Know is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips

How many names do you recognize? Some carriers are strictly charter operators while others fly regionally. Still others are very small operators of Cessna aircraft, not what you might consider airline aircraft, but in the eyes of the Federal Aviation Administration they are:

Aeromexico

Air Canada

Air Labrador

Air Transat

AirTran Airways

Alaska Airlines

Allegiant Air

Aloha Airlines

American Airlines

ATA

Avolar Aerolneas

Big Sky Airlines

Cape Air

Chautauqua Airlines

Continental Airlines

Delta Airlines

EOS Airlines

Frontier Airlines

Gulfstream Int’l Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines

JetBlue Airways

Maxjet Airways

Mesa Air Group

Mexicana Airlines

Miami Air Int’l

Midwest Airlines

North American Airlines

Northwest Airlines

Pace Airlines

Pen Air

Primaris Airlines

Ryan Int’l Airlines

Shuttle America

Simmons Air

Song

Southwest Airlines

Spirit Airlines

Sun Country Airlines

Ted

United Airlines

USA 3000 Airlines

USAirways

WestJet Airlines

World Airways

To keep the list simple, cargo carriers were omitted. Otherwise, operators such as UPS, Kalitta Air, and Emery would have been included.

Contact the carriers directly to find out what schedules they are keeping and airfare information. Perhaps you’ll find a “bargain” in the crowd and be able to try out an all new carrier.

Airlines of North America is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips

But look out when you combine all three of these big ideas together. They can sure pack a powerful punch! And here are three ways to turn this punch into profits

1. Working at home, Coastal Vacation and blogging are all easy to do, quick to set up. No excuses. Just set up – and start selling!

There is no huge learning curve with any of these ideas. Youre probably already online reading this, and at home, so hook up a blog in a jiff at a cheap place like http://GoDaddy.com for roughly $2.99 per month, unless you know how to set up and maintain a WordPress blog on your own hosting. Learn more about Coastal Vacations and ask how to get started with your own package, even if you go in on one with others in your family or other friends, etc. And voila, youre up and running!

2. Working at home, Coastal Vacation and blogging are all authentic. Get your ducks in a row, then start selling, start earning.

Who hasnt had enough with hype, cheap products and services, and down right junk? Well you get none of that with this powerful trio. With more and more people working from home today than ever before, at-home status is no longer taboo in the business world. People have earned the right to work from home, even many trusted travel agents and sales representatives who earn a good living online from home posting to their blogs with helpful articles, full color product brochures, multi-media files like movies and more. Add your authentic materials and other info to your blog; testimonials, product info, personal bio, multi-media files, etc. and stand out from the crowd.

3. Working at home, Coastal Vacation and blogging can all be marketed many ways as one solid package chock-full of benefits to make you more money. Use any number of these ways – - and more – - and start selling, start earning:

-With e-mail marketing. Send out brief e-mail messages to friends, prospects and website visitors with teasers or email sigs (signatures) that link to your blog.

-With autoresponder series and a subscription to your blog. Invite people to subscribe to your blog and to autoresponder messages about your products and services so theyll learn more and become customers, referring their friends and family, too.

-With surveys, RSS feeds and comments. Invite interaction by submitting your blogs RSS feeds to RSS directories, and through surveys on your blog. Invite comments on blog posts, too.

So give this powerful trio a try. Working at home, Coastal Vacation and blogging can help you with a powerful option to get ahead today.

3 Ways To Make Money From Working At Home With Coastal Vacations And A Blog is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips

1. It may seem obvious, but many people dont bother to find out the most basic things about the country they will travel to. You should do this to avoid surprise or disappointment.

2. Check on the kind of weather you will find where you are going. If you live in Florida and travel to northern Greenland, you will be in for a shock unless you know that much colder weather is normal there.

3. Be sure that the medical and general insurance coverage you have (you do have, dont you?) is adequate for your destination.

4. Do you have all the paperwork and documentation required for your trip? If not, get it!

5. Are there any diseases you will need immunization against where you are going? Check and find out before getting exposed.

6. If you plan on driving in the place you intend to travel to, check that you have an acceptable licence. You may need an international driving licence, for example. And are you familiar with the local driving laws where you are going? If not, become familiar, fast.

7. Finally, the most obvious one of all: is your passport up to date? And if not, do you have enough time to renew it before you set off? Youd be surprised, amazed even, at how many people get this one wrong.

7 Tips For Successful Travel is a post from: Elcorre Torres Travel Tips