Soaring high over the silver and gold capped mountains of the Pacific Northwest in the middle of a cloudless sky on a carefree day with only good friends and good times ahead, it was easy to lose track of time and also lose track of where we were. That’s where good ole Brad came in. Just as I was looking out at a breathtaking view passing by in slow motion on the earth below, Brad’s voice came through the intercom with the news that what we were viewing was the Famous Mt. Shasta, the mountain that is plastered on the side of Shasta Soda cans, laying throughout the finest gutters and worst streets across America. The snow capped regal mountain displayed its awesome beauty both up and down, as it’s reflection in the huge deep blue lake surrounded by stately Pine and Fir trees, Lake Shasta, nestled at the feet of this famous mountain and mirrored and magnified its beauty. A small ribbon below indicated where the North/South artery called I-5 crossed this magnificent lake in the shadow of the mountain.

Our next stop being only 500 miles south of Medford Oregon, I was not surprised when I heard the familiar “ding” followed by Brads voice over the intercom. “I would like to inform you gentlemen that we are beginning our final approach into Sacramento California and will be landing shortly.” Lost in some lies with Scoop and RCTNorthwest, I barely noticed the touchdown and taxi up to the Sacramento Executive aircraft Terminal.

While the fuel truck rushed to refuel us and relieve us of a small fortune, the steps came down and as one we rushed out and into the warm California sunshine. Sambo thought we were all running to greet him but you can imagine his chagrin has we all hollered our howdies and just rushed right past him! This time we were all pretty serious and all on our way to the restroom. It wasn’t long though before we had gathered up an astonished Sambo and all clambered back onboard, this time with a whole new victim to torture.

In the time it took to top off the wing tanks and pay off the fuel vultures and taxi out to the runway, Boomer and Scoop and James had already started in on Sambo. Soon the settling in and getting used to each others mugs was over and once again the white jet of freedom had loosed it’s earthly bonds and was flinging some VERY happy men towards the waiting sky.

Leaving the skyline of Sacramento ever shrinking in the distance, we were treated to the delight and hugeness of the San Jauquine Valley Stretching all the way from Northern California to Southern California. his “breadbasket” of the west conjured up thoughts of fresh oranges, migrant workers and the focus of a classic Novel “Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck. Soon the soft drone of conversation filled the cabin as Sambo always seems to have a way of making you comfortable and want to talk to him. He is the “Big Dog” at the RCT Space Network but we don’t pay much attention to that because he doesn’t act bossy. He makes you feel like he’s always on the same page you are and always has some sage advice and a balanced look at things that naturally draws others to him. He is known for surrounding himself with an excellent staff and letting them pursue there ideas and help them bring those ideas to fulfillment. A good guy, a perfect Boss, but for the guys on this trip the main thing that drew us to him right now was excellent credit! And the fact he had his Credit Card with him!

Sambo works for the Department of Transportation, has his own Graphic Design business, and is co-founder of a private school. When he is not exhausted from all that, he is owner and enjoys spending time at his site The RCT Space Network. Sambo likes to relax with a nice cup of rich dark strong coffee, or go out looking for the best sushi in town. Sambo is a Disneyland aficionado, and loves to discuss the park. After this big blowout in Florida, he is preparing a two-week stay at Disneyland in California for the 50th anniversary celebration in 2005. If we leave him with any money that is! The plane droned onward through the lazy afternoon sky and so did the conversation inside.

Boomer: Sambo, I live in Southern Oregon and you live in Northern California, you practically live within rock throwing range from where I do. How come we have never gotten together before now in real life?
Sambo: I wish there was a good answer for that, Boomer. I suspect it's because I get so busy with jobs and family, that I don't get out as much as I'd like. Maybe it's because it's still about 400 miles away, nearly the length of Florida or about half the length of the British Isles. A six-hour drive time by freeway... It does look much closer on the map though doesn't it? Fortunately today we have the luxury of Scoop here with his corporate jet.
Boomer: You look a little older then the picture on the staff page Sambo, I guess you couldn’t carry enough special effect lighting along to make you look young on this trip huh?
Sambo: I think the reflection off your bald head will do nicely Boomer!
Scoop: (laughter)
RCTNW: (loud laughter)
Brad: (over the intercom… laughter!)
Ray: (muffled from the cockpit… laughter!)
Boomer: (Not laughing) I was just wondering Sambo, when did you first encounter RCT?
Sambo: That was back after the release of the original RCT, just in time for the first expansion pack. I had read about an expansion pack for a game of which I was not even aware. I encountered it a while later while shopping for geek goo-gaws, and on the box it said you could make not just coasters, but entire theme parks. I had to have it. I was hooked as soon as I booted it up. I love to build things, design stuff, and I love theme parks. It was Kismet...
Scoop: Kismet indeed! Did the interest you had in the game lead you to discover the online world of the RCT community?
Sambo: Oh yeah, big time. I had heard about Loopy Landscapes being released and thought I'd do a search for more info. There were all these fan sites out there. RCT Planet, The Station, Chocobogo's, Ogre's...there were so many. I cruised them all and just couldn't get enough.
Boomer: Scoop and I want to officially remind you how much we dislike you and RCTNorthwest for being so much younger then us. Youth is TRULY wasted on the youth, but anyway, for those who don't know, how old are you Sambo and is there a Mrs. Sambo or any little Sambinos crawling around at home?
Sambo:: Like Scoop - I feel a hundred sometimes, but think like a kid. I'll turn 52 next summer, and will be celebrating a few weeks later by spending a couple of weeks in Disneyland with the "little" Sambinos. They are hardly little, 19 and 23. Since they are both working and paying their own way, I can afford more than a few days at the park. The Mrs. will be staying at home. She is the quiet cabin in the woods type, doesn't like noise or crowds, so Disneyland would not be all that enjoyable for her. She is looking forward to us being gone for a couple of weeks where she can have the house to herself relax in the quiet time, and the only mess she has to deal with is hers. She's actually excited to have us gone for a while. Everybody needs a break now and then...
RCTNW: I’m sure Boomer understands that! When did you first get asked to come on staff at rct2.com?
Sambo: It was early in '03 I believe James, the memories are not as solid as they once were, when this guy named Boomer had both the wisdom and foolishness of asking me to join the RCT2.com Staff. I had to accept such an honor, and it caused me to see the site in a completely new perspective.
Boomer: How did you feel when you were introduced to the existing staff and given a "key" to the staff room.
Sambo: Apprehensive. I suppose I felt the way most people feel joining a team not really knowing what's in store, or who these people really are. I had done many things on the web - but never moderated a forum before. The absolute best part was getting to know the Staff on a more personal level. There have been rough spots with some Staff members - not everything was sweetness and light. Overall, I would have to say the Staff is one of the best functioning teams I have ever been on, and I have been on a great many teams. There is something about this group, they have knowledge and expertise with an incredible span, and they have unique skills, abilities, and styles that harmonize with the group. We don't all agree all the time, but there is an incredibly high level of trust and respect that the best decisions and directions will happen. I don't think there is anyone on Staff that feels that they don't have input, or feel like they do not have some ownership in the sites.
RCTNW: Hey Scoop, you’ve been around the internet and RCT sites for awhile, what do you think of the staff here at this site?
Scoop: They are the biggest bunch of misfits and knot-heads that have ever been assembled. Oops, I thought you said, "What do you think of management where you work" The Staff at RCT.com are Top of the Line. I've worked with a lot of individuals over the years but never a group that gels like our Staff. We all come from different cultures and backgrounds with no one person being better than the rest. Yes we argue, but we always respect the other person's opinion and somehow come up with a general agreement.
Sambo:  Actually Boomer, you were away from RCT2.com for quite a while getting your health back in order. Now that you have been back behind the scenes for a while, you probably have a new impression of Staff. Anything you'd like to share?
Boomer: Just this, you three guys on this plane played a HUGE roll in keeping a good site alive and making it even better. I might be guilty of knowing talent when I see it, but you guys are even guiltier of having not only talent, but the “in it for the long haul” focus that has driven and sustained this site while I was off fighting the wars of reality. Sambo, I actually cried the night I said goodbye to RCT2.com and the unbelievable staff I had assembled and the members that I had Pam’s and encouraged and grew to know over the course of being involved with this site. (For a moment all that could be heard was the soft whine of the engines outside) But they say all’s well that ends well and look where I’m setting right now!
Sambo:  I was sold on this site Boomer, that’s why I didn’t hesitate, and I knew the predicament you were in.
Boomer: For the record Sam, your presence on staff at rct2.com was a very stabilizing and welcome addition that not only added to the Graphics area, your field of expertise and a position we desperately needed filled, but you brought to us your now famous calm cool and level headed reasoning that first tipped me off of your intelligence. I went to you many times when I was the owner of that site and your words of wisdom helped me through MANY crisis faced as this RCT fan site that was taking off like a rocket with boosters headed for deep space. In fact, like I said, when some pesky little, well actually big, health problems came up and I had to go to the hospital it was you who I turned to, to ask to take over the site, lock, stock and barrel while I battled these more important issues. You did it willingly and gracefully and I have never looked back or ever wondered if it was in the right hands. Now all that being said, I honestly have never asked you this but have wondered many times, are you glad you took it on
Sambo: That's a trick question isn't it? I know there many on Staff - should I be in your position - would gladly take on the responsibility. Many, but not all. There is a financial consideration that might prevent some of our younger Staff from doing so, but that just reinforces what I've already said about Staff. I also remember the sage advice you gave me as well, cautioning me to keep a separation between site business and personal life, not to take member demands and insults personally, remember that real-life takes priority... It was a bit intimidating to fill in behind a legend, but I felt that if you believed in me - I could do it. I was ready and willing to take on the awesome responsibility. Glad I took it on? I can't say for sure that I'm glad I took it on. I am glad that I was able to keep the ship afloat, and I'm glad that Staff lets me think that I have some leadership role, I'm glad at the progress we have made. But you know Boomer, I wouldn't hesitate to do it all again.
Scoop: Did you know at the time how much work this would be Sambo and how much time it would take...and money?
Sambo:  The money I figured out pretty quick. The time and work, I had a fairly good idea at the start, but I really didn't know what it would take to get as far as we have come. That was and is much more than I thought. I am just thankful for our Staff. Through their ideas, courage, and work ethic, the responsibility gets shared. If I could clone them and win the lottery, there would be no stopping us! Although the thought of a cloned Scoop or Boomer makes one stop and reconsider!
Boomer:  What is the pay off for you? What is it that keeps you paying the bills and putting in all the time a site of this size takes?
Sambo: I'm a Goomba and need my head examined. Really though, when I started the payoff was in having access to new tools, objects, and the wisdom and experience of others. It's still that, but now the additional payoff is in providing those things to others and continuing to find and do new and interesting things that take the site and community off into new adventures.
Boomer: How much time do you devote to actually playing RCT and building parks Sambo?
Sambo: Not nearly as much as I used to or would like to. I try to fit it into the cracks, but it is difficult.
Boomer: What RCT parks have you made and where can we see them?
Sambo:

For the 2003 End of Year celebration, I did a futuristic park called Epsilon. It's still floating around somewhere.

This past EoY I participated in the Staff Park, Disney Six Flags Adventure. It's still available on the site. In between, I released Forgotten Islands.

That wasn't my best work from a coaster or attraction perspective, although there are a couple dynamite coasters in the park. It was my best work in overall theme, from concept and history, through development, design, and implementation. The package was better than individual components. I have learned from the weak points.
RCTNW: What about you Scoop. What are you up to these days at the site and with RCT?
Scoop: Well James, I’ll be glad to tell you. RCT-wise I'm working on a western themed park called Mother Lode. I made a resolution at the beginning of the year to finish it. I'm also working with Sam to add a few new features to the site. I also see more writing in the future.
RCTNW: Mother Load sounds interesting Scoop, I want to see it when it’s done.
Boomer: (unconsciously rubs his head) Speaking of Mothers Scoop, doe's your wife know how much fun you're having flying around with the guys this week-end and going to an amusement park and The Daytona 500?
Scoop: Fun? She thinks I went to El Paso to work on a server problem. If word of this leaks out I'll send new cast iron skillets to each of your wives.

Soon the trickle of conversation and laughter gave way to the drone of the engines and the soft hiss of the air conditioning overhead. Even Boomer had wound down a nod as the Gulf Stream made its way effortlessly though the heavens on its pre set course to Ft. Worth. All was quite except for the soft snoring of Boomer and Scoop and the occasional, “Vroom, Vroom, from RCTNorthwest playing NASCAR on the console. Then even he slowly nodded off with dreams of checkered flags and burning rubber dancing through his mind. The now silent jet winged onward, East, by Southeast, soaring high over a barren Nevada, moonlike landscape and then the Painted desert and Grand Canyon of Northern Arizona waved a distant goodbye with their heat waves shimmering on the horizon to the sleek winged Gulf Stream bound for Texas and an old dog named Big Red.

To Be Continued