[email protected]
ROBIN ESROCK - BESTSELLING AUTHOR, SPEAKER, TV HOST
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
  • SPEAKING
  • BLOG
  • TV
  • PARTNERS
  • MEDIA
    • PHOTOS >
      • Favourite Photos
      • Esrock in Photos
      • Download Bio Photo
      • VIDEO
  • CONTACT

Sky Sailing in Southern California

2/23/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
Los Angeles traffic feels like a stuffy nose.   Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 405, or the 10, or the 91, you start wishing for a cosmic tissue to blow away the insufferable congestion.    Eventually the jams peter out on the I-15, disappearing on Highway 79 South altogether.  At last, some tumbleweed!  My car slices through rolling brown hills that seem familiar from Hollywood westerns.  Up ahead is the Warner Springs Airstrip, a saloon for modern sky sailors.    We are here to tick off sailplaning, or sky sailing, or soaring, or whatever you want to use to describe the act of gliding a fibreglass dragonfly in the dreamy California sky. ​
Lining the airstrip are white coffin-shaped boxes containing easy-to-assemble sailplanes.   Although fixed-wing gliding has been around since the Wright Brothers, the aircraft took off recreationally after World War II, when Germans were restricted to flying non-powered planes. Modern German-built gliders, withstand more pressure than fighter jets, have reached over 13,000 metres in altitude, and covered an incredible 2250 kilometres.   It is said that the best pilots in the world are avid gliders, capable of feeling the winds beneath their wings. Case in point:  when a section of a fuselage blew out, a pilot named Dave Cronin credited his gliding skills with saving all aboard his Boeing 747.  Good to know as I cram into my seat behind the sailplane pilot. We are connected to a small prop plane with a sixty-metre metal tow wire. It’s a bumpy take-off, the glider rattling and flexing on the ground with the grace of a running swan. My nerves start to shake with the seat.  Unless one is prepared to invest $300,000 for a new state-of-the-art Stemme, most gliders are designed for thrills over comfort.   Before the tow-plane even leaves tarmac, our glider lifts gently into the air, tuned up and eager for altitude. The swan elegantly takes flight.   Once we reach one thousand metres, the pilot signals me to pull a lever and cut our umbilical cord to the plane.  Suddenly, I am inside the eye of an albatross.
Much like hanggliding or paragliding, sailplane pilots hunt warm pockets of air called thermals in order to gain elevation.  Each pocket of warm air results in a dramatic upwards swing.  Safely strapped in, there’s not enough room in the cockpit for too much bouncing around from the turbulence.    Air gushes in from breathing holes on the sides, which I open up all the way in case of motion sickness.   This increases the noise level, but takes nothing away the thrill of pure flight.  No engines, no fuel – just air currents, speed and grace.
 “Do you want to see what this baby can do?”  asks the pilot. 
That’s usually a rhetorical question, one I’ve been asked several times researching this Bucket List, and one I have never yet answered in the affirmative.  Dave Cronin suddenly nosedives the sailplane and there is so much blood rushing to my head it might just explode. He's pulling a David Cronenberg!  ​
You know that moment when you’re on a rollercoaster and wonder if you’re going to fall out? When you pull tricks in a sailplane, that moment doesn’t stop.   The speed and pressure is incredible, increased as the pilot points the nose upwards, giving us the sensation of negative G-force.  Weightless for a moment, his walkie-talkie floats above our heads.  Worth noting at this point is the volume of my screaming, and the fact that I am wondering if vomit can cleanly squeeze through the diameter of the breathing holes.   We level out, and after a twenty-five minute ride, land on the runway, speed along to the main office, and come to an abrupt stop.   Gravity feels especially heavy, but there’s some relief when my feet touch the ground.   Unfortunately, I’ll have to use those feet for the drive back to Los Angeles, where soaring is strictly reserved for the imaginations of would-be starlets. ​
​For more info, including directions, weather and rates, visit: www.skysailing.com
Picture
1 Comment

Best Places to put yourself in Star Wars

2/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
I'm thrilled the Force has finally awakened.  Let's face it, during the last three prequels it was basically asleep, wooed into slumber by some atrocious casting, questionable characters, and CGI animators who were one crate over their daily Red Bull allowance.   But all is well again, even if the new villain is the pouty dude from Girls, and you can't swing a light sabre without hitting a merchandising opportunity. The original Star Wars series was produced right here on Earth, and you might recognize some of the scenes should you find yourself wandering about: ​
Tunisia 
​

Luke Skywalker’s home planet of Tatooine looks remarkably similar to Tunisia, and his home very much like the traditional Berber house known as the Sidi Driss Hotel.  Open year-round, the hotel is located in the town of Matmata.  Exteriors on the desert planet of Tatooine were shot in hundreds of kilometres away in the salt flats of the Star Wars-sounding Chott el Jerid.
Tikal National Park, Guatemala 
​

Filmmakers outdid themselves finding a location for Yavin 4, a jungle moon housing the secret Rebel base in Episode IV:  A New Hope.  They selected one of the largest and most spectacular Mayan ruins in Central America,  Tikal.  Located in Northern Guatemala, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see in the region.  Some of the temples can be seen in the movie, along with a landing Millennium Falcon.
Redwood National State Parks 
​

One of my favourite scenes in the series is the speederbike chase in Return of the Jedi, where our heroes are chased through the giant trees on the forest moon of Endor.  The scene was filmed among the giant redwoods of Six Rivers National Forest in California, and the Redwood National State Parks in northern California’s Humboldt County.
Rancho Obi-Wan 
​

Located outside of Petaluma California is the world’s largest privately owned Star Wars collection, amassed over 37 years but someone who clearly is strong in the force.  The former Lucas Film employee has all the memorabilia, toys, props and artefacts a jedi knight could want.
Comic-Con, San Diego 
​

The mammoth gathering that is Comic-Con celebrates all things science fiction and fantasy.  Star Wars is always represented, through panel appearances by its stars, fans and collectors.  Owners of the franchise use the 4-day event to announce news about the ever-expanding Star Wars commercial empire.
Palace of Caserta,  Italy 
​

In Episodes 1 and 2, you’re probably thinking:  where did they film Queen Amidala’s magnificent Threed Royal Palace?   The answer is the Palace of Caserta, the largest royal palace in Italy built in the 1700’s, boasting over 1000 rooms, sprawling gardens, and plenty of romantic escapes for Star(Wars)-crossed lovers.   Staying in Italy, Anakin and Padmé were married on the terrace of Lake Como’s Villa del Balbianello.
Star Wars Weekends, Disney World 
​

Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park, located within Disney World, used to offer special Star Wars themed weekends.  Before you throw a Kylo Ren tantrum, rejoice in the fact that you can now experience all new Star Wars experiences, going behind the scenes on the making of The Force Awakens, and undertake Jedi Training.  Work is underway on a new 14 acre Star Wars themed "land" within Disney World.  Did I mention you will find merchandising?
Death Valley National Park, California 
​

3CPO and R2D2 wander lost in the desert in A New Hope.   The scene was supposed to be filmed in Tunisia, but production hiccups brought our lovable droids back to California’s Death Valley, in particular the impressive sand dunes at Stovepipe Wells. ​
Finse, Norway 
The Empire Strikes Back, the best film in the first series, opens in snow and ice.  The scenes were filmed in around the town of Finse, located between Oslo and Bergen, where crews had to battle extreme temperatures, and the worst storm in 50 years.  Hey, nobody said filming on the frozen planet of Hoth would be easy.
0 Comments
    Greetings. 
    ​Please come in. Mahalo for removing your shoes.


    ​After years running a behemoth of a blog called Modern Gonzo, I've decided to a: publish a book or eight, and b: make my stories more digestible, relevant, and deserving of your battered attention.

    ​Here you will find some of my adventures to over 120 countries, travel tips and advice, rantings, ravings, commentary, observations and ongoing adventures.

    Previously...

    April 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012


    Categories

    All
    Adrenaline
    Adventure
    Africa
    Airports
    Albania
    Alberta
    Anguilla
    Animals
    Antarctica
    Arctic
    Argentina
    Art
    Asia
    Australia
    Awards
    Backpacking
    Bali
    Beaches
    Belgium
    Belize
    Bike
    Boats
    Bolivia
    Books
    Botswana
    Brazil
    British Columbia
    Bucket List
    Bulgaria
    Cambodia
    Canada
    Caribbean
    Central America
    Chile
    China
    Climate
    Colombia
    Commentary
    Contests
    Cook Islands
    Costa Rica
    Croatia
    Cruise
    Cuba
    Culture
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    Diving
    Ecuador
    England
    Estonia
    Ethiopia
    Europe
    Family
    Family Travel
    Finland
    Fishing
    Flying
    Food And Wine
    France
    Galapagos
    Gear
    Genealogy
    Georgia
    Germany
    Gift Guide
    Great Britain
    Greenland
    Halloween
    Hawaii
    Hike
    History
    Holland
    Hong Kong
    Horse
    Hotels
    Hungary
    Iceland
    India
    Indigenous
    Indonesia
    Industry
    Interview
    Iran
    Ireland
    Islands
    Israel
    Issues
    Italy
    Japan
    Jordan
    Lakes
    Laos
    Latvia
    Lithuania
    Malaysia
    Malta
    Mancations
    Mauritius
    Mexico
    Mongolia
    Mountains
    Movies
    Myanmar
    News
    New Zealand
    Nicaragua
    North America
    North Korea
    Norway
    Nunavut
    Panama
    Papua New Guinea
    Peru
    Philippines
    Photo Galleries
    Portugal
    Quirky
    Rafting
    Reviews
    Rivers
    Road Trip
    Romania
    Russia
    Sailing
    Saudi Arabia
    Scotland
    Ski
    Slovenia
    Snowboard
    South Africa
    South America
    South Korea
    Speaking
    Sponsored
    Sport
    Sri Lanka
    Sustainability
    Sweden
    Taiwan
    Technology
    Thailand
    The Netherlands
    Tibet
    Tourism
    Train
    Transylvania
    Travel Tips
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Ukraine
    United States
    Usa
    Vancouver
    Venezuela
    Victoria
    Vietnam
    Volcanoes
    Water
    Weird
    Winter
    Zanzibar
    Ziplining

    RSS Feed

Picture

Subscribe

​
​Subscribe to my newsletter for infrequent inspiration
​

    Sorry about the hurdles, it filters out the $#!% spammers! ​

Subscribe

Coming Fall 2025

Picture

Quick Links


Books

About

Speaking

Media

TV

Photo

Contact

 Copyright Esrock World Media 2005-2024 

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • BOOKS
  • SPEAKING
  • BLOG
  • TV
  • PARTNERS
  • MEDIA
    • PHOTOS >
      • Favourite Photos
      • Esrock in Photos
      • Download Bio Photo
      • VIDEO
  • CONTACT