I used to work across the street from where that SR-71 photo was taken. I am one of a rare few that got to see the USAF SR-71 fly during it's 1 year of un-retirement during 1996, it was re-retired in 1997. I believe NASA is the only ones who still flys it. in fact the "world's fastest woman" is one of dryden's SR-71 pilots.
think about this; take off from southern california, fly up the entire west coast, turn east at canada, fly south over idaho, utah, and nevada, then land back in southern california only 90 minutes later!