Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 69,382	$ 43,476
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	45,447	43,100
Amortization of debt issuance costs and premium	2,655	2,102
Amortization of unearned income and initial direct costs on direct financing leases	(12,641)	(12,968)
Payments received under direct financing leases	16,389	16,389
Equity in earnings of investments in equity investees	(7,971)	(3,377)
Cash distributions of earnings of equity investees	16,151	6,725
Non-cash effect of equity-based compensation plans	4,617	(1,505)
Deferred and other tax liabilities	(9,156)	(27)
Unrealized gains on derivative transactions	(1,251)	(4,370)
Other, net	438	339
Net changes in components of operating assets and liabilities, (See Note 11)	18,878	(50,738)
Net cash provided by operating activities	142,938	39,146
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments to acquire fixed and intangible assets	(116,702)	(15,157)
Cash distributions received from equity investees - return of investment	10,918	8,577
Investments in equity investees	(57,072)	(194)
Acquisitions	(205,576)	(143,489)
Proceeds from asset sales	667	4,444
Other, net	(1,012)	129
Net cash used in investing activities	(368,777)	(145,690)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility	1,407,000	571,700
Repayments on senior secured credit facility	(1,333,300)	(563,800)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes, including premium	101,000	0
Debt issuance costs	(7,109)	(3,018)
Issuance of common units for cash, net	169,421	184,969
Distributions to common unitholders	(104,008)	(82,067)
Other, net	(2,521)	(2,626)
Net cash provided by financing activities	230,483	105,158
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,644	(1,386)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,817	5,762
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 15,461	$ 4,376