One white-knuckle airport...

When we visited Telluride last week, I made sure to take my wife check the Telluride Regional Airport out.

I've only flown in and out of that impressive aerie once before in the summer of 2001, and wasn't saying much during the entire approach and landing procedures.

Perched at 9,070 feet over its name-sake ski resort, it is the highest-elevation commercial airport in America. Located on a mesa, with both ends of its runway interrupted by 1,000-foot drop and frequent strong vertical turbulence caused by the mountain winds are excellent reasons for pilots to pay attention.

The next best thing to flying into that airport, is to go up there and observe the rare take-offs and landings that take place during the day.

As the Telluride Regional Airport says in its notice to pilots: “Nothing you want to do tomorrow is worth risking your life and the lives of your passengers today!”