While staying in Charlotte, North Carolina one of my favorite activities has been to visit the airport overlook and watch the sun set as planes take off. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, or CLT, has a terrific spot just across the runway from CLT terminal itself, where a view of the city of Charlotte off in the distance and the whole of the airport is an added bonus to an almost entirely clear view of the sky in every direction. I believe in the simple pleasures of life, though it’s hard to sometimes watch planes take off that I am not on – I always smile and imagine the passengers inside the planes with the same giddy excitement I have every time I fly. I love to travel! Even if I am only traveling vicariously through the stories I make up about the passengers on that plane I am watching take off, I’ve still had a few moments of escape. Since I have a near fanatical love for the sunset, this all combines to make one very enjoyable – and free – evening in The Queen City! Sometimes, it’s the small things which mean the most. 
What do you do that’s free and doesn’t take much, that brings you a lot of joy? Have you ever been to CLT?
Disclaimer: I am not, nor have I yet been employed by the city of Charlotte or any tourism Charlotte entity, neither was I hired to write this piece on their behalf.
Great words… i often wonder where other travelers are off…. what adventures await them. Plus, love the 2nd photo – the light captured on the plane – both brilliant and beautiful. Happy Sunset Sunday indeed.
stay adventurous, Craig
I used to do the same thing when I lived in Las Vegas. I worked down the street from the airport. I would often pick up lunch and sit in the “viewing” lot to watch the planes come in and take off. There was even a radio station you could tune to in order to hear the air traffic control instructions.
When I moved to Northern California, I would often drive through wine country. Watching the varying stages of the vines, the mustard flowers, fall leaves…it was like visiting a whole new place depending on the time of year. And it didn’t hurt that I had access to plenty of free tastings. 🙂
Now, we live in Taiwan and I find it enjoyable to go to parks and malls around Taipei and watch the locals. It is interesting from a cultural standpoint as there are groups that meet daily for tai chi, traditional Chinese dancers, artists, and in the malls, there are sections where you find the younger adults and teens practicing their street dance routines – they are amazing!
BTW, you would love our apartment! We get sunrises over a small lake and mountains in the morning and we get the sunsets on the other side over downtown Taipei! Absolutely breathtaking on a good day!
Are you sure you’re not employed by Charlotte Tourism? What a wonderful little post and great photos (naturally).
Even if it’s not me that’s doing the flying, I love picking up and dropping off friends at the airport. It always stirs up a little something inside me and makes me wonder where my next destination will be.
As for the great little freebie sites to hang out. In Vancouver, all the beaches have these great big tree trunks laid out on the sand. There was nothing better than coming home from work and walking down to the water (with or without sushi) to watch the sunset and have a few minutes alone with your thoughts. A year and a half later, the background on my phone still has the same picture I took one day. Something about seeing that picture on a tiny screen is soothing and calming.
So pretty!
absolutely gorgeous!!! i could reach out and squeeze those puffy clouds in #1, and the sunset reflecting off the plane in #2?! wow. i love how this hobby of watching the sunset from the airport sparks more than just your creativity where photos are concerned, but that you’re also storytelling in your mind about the travelers. would love to read one of the fictitious stories here at some point- bet they’re great! awesome post. 🙂
My parents used to live in Charlotte before us kids were born; they talk about it so fondly! I have to go for a visit. I love to walk home in my little town and see the lights lit over the little river. It’s so quiet and peaceful.
Lovely photos! I especially like the light shining off the US Airways plane. I wonder where it’s off to. Sounds like a fun place to watch the sunset, although it’s hard for me to be in the proximity of planes without the nagging feeling I should be on one.
Kirsten,
What a pleasure it was to meet with you and Andi yesterday for lunch! Thanks for taking the time to to share a nice meal and your company with me.
I just love photos like the one with the airplane you posted. It makes me think of m favourite travel song by Lenny Kravitz:
I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly
–
I’d fly above the trees
Over the seas in all degrees
To anywhere I please
–
Oh I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah yeah yeah…
🙂
Amazing shots, the one of the plane taking off is what motivated me to leave this comment.
So pretty, and amongst the jet engines and huge planes, a sense of peace. Super set Kir 🙂