I’m hard pressed to think of at time, since moving to #vancouver, when I have not taken pictures of #mountains. Flying to Chicago for #RaganSocMed I found myself on the mountain side of the airplane and promptly, yet discreetly, whipped out my camera. The joys of having low-tech devices while traveling!
It occurred to me that I have always sat on the southern side of the plane, or on the right side if facing the cockpit. The view has been the same, so I have paid it little attention. I generally settle in with a book (yes, an actual, physical book since I don’t have to put it away for take off and landing) and read, or on those far too often occasions when I catch the 7:30am flight, I sleep. Some people find the noise of the engines annoying, I find them soothing and have little trouble falling asleep before wheels up.
This trip has been difference. I took the mid-afternoon flight, and sat on the north (or left side) of the plane. And what a view! Vancouver was foggy that morning, so there were no mountain views from the airport. I know all the good spots for mountain views, too, at YVR. So imagine my pure delight when I looked out the window, once we cleared the cloud line, and saw mountains!
They look like islands popping up across the sky. Some looked inhabited as I could see roads and trials winding around to the top, spotted with buildings or little villages here and there. I saw some lakes or ponds that had formed, and the most likely places where snow will accumulate. They looked like craters from so high up, and there was one filled with water than spilled out into a river. Following the river lead to a town in a valley. Quite spectacular.
I know my workmates roll their eyes at my fascination (oh fine, obsession!) with mountains. I grew up on the Plains, so they hold inspiration, curiosity and wonder for me.