A Canal, Sloths, and UNESCO Heritage

Isthmus, a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land masses, bounded by water. The most famous of these is the Panama. Connecting Central America to South America. Though narrow, 30 miles at its thinnest, it has profound effects. When it formed approximately 60 million years ago, it altered the ocean currents and changed climates. By separating the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, the warm water from the Caribbean flowed north as the Gulf Stream, raising the temperature in Europe around 10 degrees. The Atlantic also became saltier than the Pacific, these differences had profound effect on the ocean currents.
It was roamed through pre-historic people and was discovered by Rodrigo de Bastidas in 1501 and explored by Columbus on his voyage in 1502. The first person to cross the isthmus was Vasco Nunez de Balboa in 1513. This paved the way for Spanish gold from the west coast of South America to be transported to Spain quicker.
Gold was originally loaded on galleons and traveled around the southern tip of South America before turning to Spain. It was a longest and treacherous voyage. By shipping to the north by sea, then by land across Panama and reloaded, the journey was shortened by months. Of course pirates took notice of this route and the ports were raided quite often.
During the mid 19th Century several attempts were made to construct a canal across the isthmus. Many ideas were proposed, including a sea-level canal that would require MASSIVE excavations though the mountainous central portion. The French started a canal in 1880. After 13 years and approximately 22,000 deaths, the French abandoned the construction.
In the early 1900s the United States resumed construction after helping Panama break off from Columbia. The canal officially opened on August 15, 1914 with the passage of the cargo ship Arcon. The completion of the canal reduced the trip from New York to San Francisco by more than half.
The cost of passage is based on the ship's size and schedule. The daily schedule allows ships to enter both ends of the canal to Gatun Lake during the morning. The flow reverses in the afternoon allowing ships to exit the lake and continue on their journey. Ships on a tight schedule pay a premium, such as cruise ships. The Disney Magic paid over $330,000 in May of 2008. The least paid was $.36 by American Richard Halliburton for swimming the length of the canal in 1928. The highest fee for jumping line was for the tanker Erikoussa, $220,300. If it had waited its turn in line(7 days), the passage would have been $13,430.
Lying in the tropics, Panama, offers diverse plant life and animals. One of the most interesting is the sloth. Yes the term for dirty is an actual animal. While it is very slow moving while in trees, it is even slower if on the ground. Its grayish-brown coat is usually inhabited by insects and algae, a tiny micro-system of its own.
At the western end of the canal is Panama City. There is a historic, colonial section of the city and a modern section to the south. The architecture of the colonial section has earned it the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage site. And it contrast greatly with the gleaming towers of the modern area. Be careful wandering the streets of the colonial section, the cobblestones are uneven and falls are common. Also on the western end of the canal is the Bridge of the Americas. The Pan-American highway crosses the canal at his point.
Damron Vacations can help plan your Panamanian Escapade. It offers hotels on Gatun Lake and in Panama City. While down there, do not forget to pick up a Panamanian Hat(even though they are from Ecuador).

Life the Ultimate Trip

While going on trips, whether for work or pleasure is a great experience, life itself is the ultimate trip. From birth to adulthood, life is filled with many journeys. Some good, some bad, most forgotten, some still vivid memories.
My journey started in New York, but earliest I remember is New Jersey. Norman Rockwell could have used us for a cover picture. Dad the breadwinner, mom the housewife and 5 boys. Summers on the Jersey shore.
Then on to North Carolina. New school, new friends, new neighborhood all another step in my adventure to adulthood. Inner turmoil I ignored was hidden by eating, yes I was a chubby kid. Off to college and the realization of the basis for the turmoil. Yes, I was gay, a MAJOR step in my journey.
Though kept secret it eventually did become public knowledge to my friends. I did loose a few and it is their loss, their journey to acceptance is in a holding pattern. My family accepted the news well and from then on it really did not matter.
I had moved around after college and ended up in Atlanta, kind of a mecca for gay men in the South. After Atlanta I eventually settled in Ft Lauderdale, where I think I will stay. Besides the relocating, I have had the chance to visit many places both here in the United States and Europe. And there are still more I want to see.
But there are many in our community that have had their journey cut short. I am referring to AIDs. I once met a man that said he no longer had any friends that he had known more than a few years. One former coworker that had lived in SFO could rattle off dozens of names. Though still prevalent in out community, the general population has experienced the ravages of the disease. Families destroyed from husbands on the DL(formerly known as closeted). Pregnant mothers unknowingly infecting the unborn.
Then there is Africa. Besides all the social strife, and famine, HIV is wiping out the population. More than 22 MILLION people are effected in sub-Sahara Africa. Lack of medical care and nutrition has lead to over 11 MILLION children being orphans. Social habits, ignorance, rigid sexual practices contribute to the skyrocketing infection rate.
With Spring just around the corner, AIDs Walks are starting their fundraising. In Ft Lauderdale, the AIDs Walk is on 15MAR. Team Damron Vacations is forming and looking for sponsors. Here is a link to my page, feel free to add your name and your contribution Tim at Team Damron. Ending AIDs and its effects in our lifetime is going to take a major effort and cost. Your contribution is tax deductible and greatly appreciated. Remember to ALWAYS wear a raincoat!!

Canyons and Valleys

While Las Vegas and Hoover Dam are impressive sights, they are the work of humans. Over the course of years, mankind has shaped the landscape to fit his need and wants. In the past it was usually in no regard to the environment. Building large dams that flooded vast areas, covering everything under somethings 100s of feet of water. The Colorado River was the focal point of dam building for flood control and as a source of power. With its free flowing water, steep inclination of the river bed and high surrounding banks, it made a perfect source for hydroelectric power. But travel outside of the metropolitan area and nature takes over.
A few hundred miles to the east lies the Grand Canyon. A might gorge cut over the millennium by the Colorado River. Long the home for the Anasizs, it was discovered by the Spanish while on their quest for the famed city of El Dorado. It remained unspoiled except for the occasional visit by Europeans until 1869, when American explorer John Wesley Powell mapped the Colorado River for the Smithsonian Institute. This exploration of the landscape led to more expeditions and research into the geology of the area. With such a large amount of strata revealed, it advanced the science significantly.
While first entrepreneurs entered the are for mining, it was soon discovered that tourism was much more profitable. A train spur from the line at Williams was brought to the South Rim and hotels sprang up. The El Tovar is nestled right on the rim at the entrance to the Bright Angel Trail.
The Grand Canyon is not the only breathtaking area in the southwest. There is Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park. Through the erosion of the landscape, beautiful spires, pillars and arches have been created.
In Arches National Park there are over 2,000 known arches withe the longest, Landscape Arch stretching 300 feet. There is Double Arch, two graceful arches sprouting from the same base. Balanced Rock seems to defy gravity, a single stone the size of three buses, perched delicately on a spire. The Fiery Furnace looks like a wall of red flames. These fragile natural wonders are subject to the forces of nature, erosion has claimed over 40 arches since 1970.
Bryce Canyon is actually a large amphitheater filled with countless sites. The ground eroded away leaving spires, called hoodoos, some over 200 feet tall. Since it was created by head water erosion it is not technically a canyon.
Monument Valley is an awe inspiring area filled with large spires and columns of sandstone rising out of the plain. The combination of red stone tinged with yellow, clear blue sky and total absence of humanity is breathtaking.
Throughout this whole region, native Americans have left their imprint. Houses of the cliff dwellers, hieroglyphics and remnants of nomadic camps dot the landscape. So remember to leave only footprints and take only pictures so these natural wonders and reminders of past civilizations will remain for centuries to come.
The expert agents at Damron Vacations can help with your exploration of this region. Maybe a few nights at the Blue Moon in Vegas to start and end your trip and a week of rental car in the middle to go where the wind takes you.
The sites of the Four Corner

Viva Las Vegas!!!

The modern day Sin City. What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas. One of the most popular travel destinations in the country.
The original settlement was farmers in the area. In 1905, the first plots in what is now the city of Las Vegas were auctioned off. The town was officially incorporated March of 1911. With the liberalization of divorce laws, a quicky divorce was one of Nevada's main attractions. During the Depression, construction of the Hoover Dam brought more population, power and water to the area. WWII brought with it military bases due to the sparse population in the surrounding countryside.
After the end of the war, lavish hotels and casinos began to spring up, first downtown and then along Las Vegas Boulevard, the Strip, as it was to become known. Iconic names like The Sands, The Dunes, The Stardust. Unfortunately, most of the original hotel/casinos have been torn down to make way for the new mega-resorts. Fantastic complexes with 1000s of hotels rooms, massive casino, high profile restaurants, and glamorous shopping arcades. Most with a theme, ancient civilizations, international cities, and stories.
In the downtown section of Las Vegas, there remains some of the original casinos, The Golden Nugget, the 4 Queens and Fitzgerald to name a few. A recent addition to the downtown scene is the Freemont Street Experience. The street has been covered with a canopy of LEDs that create an overhead show. Jet fighters, whales, floating clouds, an ever changing ceiling. Just watch out for pick pockets, with every one looking up, no one is watching around them.
The main resorts cater to all types of clients. The families wanting a cheap get away(though why bring children), high rollers from here and abroad, conventioneers from Peoria for the BIG shoe show. Though wonderful experiences, and welcome all visitors, alternative lifestyle travelers may feel a little out numbered. But do not despair, the Blue Moon Resort is Las Vegas's only exclusively gay male resort. Though not on Las Vegas Boulevard, its convenient location makes it easy to hit the Strip. And speaking of strip, part of the grounds is clothing optional.
So if mingling with international high rollers, a winning round of 7 card stud(or any stud) sounds like a nice way to spend a trip, but Monte Carlo would bust the bank, try Las Vegas. With the option of an all male resort, or a very gay friendly mega-casino on the strip, the knowledgeable agents at Damron Vacations can make your arrangements.