~~~
Sometimes,
flying feels too godlike to be attained by man.
Sometimes,
the world from above seems too beautiful,
too wonderful,
too distant for human eyes to see.
— Charles A. Lindbergh
~~~
I looked out the window of the plane, the sun setting, revealing the most incredible sight…
The shadows of the high-rises…the golden hour…
not believing my eyes…
that very special moment when it’s unlikely it’ll ever be witnessed the same again…
and looking back over Manhattan as we continued to ascend…was breathtaking…
And then I looked around the interior of the small plane…
and
no one
not one person
looked out their window.
Buried heads.
Amazing…
…and then to see the Mill Mountain Star shining as we descended into the Roanoke Valley of Virginia…
And after a wonderful week with my family…there was the return to my city…
As we approached LaGuardia airport, I just couldn’t get my bearings…
which was strange because I’d flown this route so many times…
a bridge came into the picture…but I couldn’t figure out which one…
and then another…
and then I realized…we were flying directly over Manhattan…right up the middle of the island…
as if I could reach out and touch the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, among many others…
I wanted to shout!
buried heads…look out the window!
I was in such awe that I didn’t bother trying to capture it…
knowing it was the iPhone, handheld and challenging lighting…
I decided to stop focusing on capturing the moment and just enjoy it.
Being totally in the moment…a minute or so of total ecstasy…
of seeing my city from above.
~~~
And the magic continues…a lovely rain during the night to wash off the grime…followed with a 68 degree day! And now? Thoughts of snow…I’m already imagining waking up very early and heading to the North Woods of Central Park on Thanksgiving Day! Untouched snow…oh how I’ve been waiting for this moment for over five years now! You see…I’m never here in my city when it snows! So here’s a good chance, hopefully! Bring it on!! Let the magic continue!
<and yes…if you can’t tell…I am a touch excited about the winter storm watch with a possibility of some snow!>
You would LOVE to watch Astrid when she flies, Robin, because I always let her sit by the window (after all my years of flying, it’s the least I can do!). We both know what you mean about looking out and recognizing (or not) where you are. Here’s a pic I got of your city from the air back in 2007. I’ll never forget it: http://ginniehart.shutterchance.com/image/2007/05/02/new-york-city-aka-nyc/
For your Thanksgiving day tomorrow, I wish you everything you want…including fresh snow. Save some of it for us! I can hardly wait to see the pics. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
Absolutely stunning photos Frissy. So sad that some people are so into their “busy distractions” that they miss the beauty all around them… I hope you have the best Thanksgiving Day ever, and if you want snow, I hope it snows and fills your heart up with so much joy that there won’t be room for even one more snowflake! love you MORE!! Happy Thanksgiving
Your post today has an important reminder for me – keep my thoughts and my eyes on what matters most. I don’t want to miss one minute of this journey. Your first picture is one in a million – abstract until you look closer, beautiful yet kind of haunting. And the photo with the star over Roanoke – another truly unique photo with meaning and mystery. Happy Thanksgiving!
That*s pure magic, you’re right!
Once we flew over London and I saw the Dome and the tower bridge, so unreal, we had a great visibility. It was the flight Bristol-Amsterdam.
Your pictures are awesome. what a view and I know the thrill. Like Ginnie said, I am the one at the window and I hated that flight attendant to make sure I could NOT take pictures…. well in Amsterdam I did NOT know any English……. 🙂
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, celebrate and enjoy.
Love and hugs.
I don’t know if you know this yourself but you are one of my favourite and most cherished bloggers and people, because you look the way you do and see the way you do, while others miss the magic all around them which they could witness by just raising their eyes. Through you I have seen some wonderful and life enhancing sights and events through which people other than you may have passed with uncomprehending eyes. Reading your Blog reminds me that not all social media is an exercise in shallowness. You give other people hope and sustenance with your visions and insights
I am so glad that you pay attention and that you share. Hope your Thanksgiving was all you hoped for.
You live in the city of dreams, you are living your dream, and you re sharing it with the world through this great blog, and we are lucky to see whats happening around you, and you have the gift of capturing it in images so we can explore it with you… LOVE YOU
Beautiful shots, Dear Robin.
(Nice shot of the city, too Ginnie).
Counting Ducks summed it up perfectly, I feel the same way about you and your heart.
It’s funny, flying into NJ this week, prior to your post, I was looking out the window as well as I am always still in awe of how a plane can fly and how quickly you can go from being on the groud to high in the sky. Although nothing ever came close to my recent experience of skydiving and jumping from the plane!
I always appreciate the sights of wherever I am flying, even if it’s back to NC where it’s just green and very rural compared to NY, which I was always used to flying back-and-forth.
Maybe one day I spot Cloud #9 as my Dad always told me about when I was a kid and I’ll see him waving at me and calling out “sheina meidala”, which is what he called me when I was a little girl. It’s yiddish for pretty girl.
Thank you as always for sharing your beautiful photos and heart.
I love you.
xoxoxo
The sad reality is that most folk never take he time to stop and stare, it is a condition we have almost forgotten about. I cycle a lot and the times I have happened on wildlife is too numerous to mention. I always look around me, to see the magic in the way the shadow falls or the light strikes is wonderful.
To have a deer or badger spot you and then stop to watch is a joy, It is also watching a sunset or rise and taking in that moment, these are all precious gifts we never know how many more we maybe blessed with.
The images are beautiful as always, your kindred spirit, shooter.
SO Beautiful!