Monday, November 3, 2008

That's My World Tuesday - YVR

Update: Today, November 5th, I saw the first dusting of snow on the tops of the mountains. It glistened in the brilliant autumn sunshine for a few minutes before the grey clouds scudded in to cover the sight. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch some photos throughout the winter to show you our famous "Lions," two mountain peaks that look like male lions lying on top of the Coast Range. Stay tuned.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.
On Halloween, a friend came over to help hand out candy to the trick or treaters, have dinner and a sleepover. The next day was grey and dismal, although not raining, so we headed into Richmond to a spot where I used to take my mother to watch the airplanes take off and land. My friend had never been to this spot before and we had a great time taking a few photos and I got a video, too. The Vancouver International Airport is actually in the city of Richmond,
which borders Vancouver on the south. It lies on part of an island in the delta of the Fraser River, which empties into Georgia Strait. Whenever I fly in or out, I always hope we'll take off or land over the water. When landing from this direction, it inevitably excites my senses because the plane soars in just feet above the water.
From our vantage point south of the airport, we could see the Coast Mountains rising high into the grey skies. It won't be long and we'll start to see the snow gradually move downwards from the peaks to the higher residential areas built on the sides of the mountains.
The main terminal of YVR is on the north side, but there is another terminal on the south arm of the river where float planes take off and land. Last summer, I took my Welsh friends to the pub there and we watched one float plane not only land on the water, but roll up the ramp onto pavement and drive across the road to the hangar area. That was quite an experience!
I don't know what it is about airports, but so many people just love watching the planes take off and land. Maybe it's the wonderment of technology. Maybe we just like to dream about getting away. Maybe it's the dream of seeing a faraway land with a different language and culture. For me, it's the dream of escaping the daily routine
for a bit of excitement.
I hope you've enjoyed the latest installment of "That's My World" here and will pop over to see others contributions. Thanks to the team who got this started and work diligently each week to continue to make it better.

45 comments:

Pea in a Pod said...

Very nice looking place! Love the fall colours!

Mine is up too, HERE. If you get a chance;)

Guy D said...

Fantastic looking pics as always. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers!
Regina In Pictures

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

Yes, there is something magical about watching planes take off and landing. Just how those things get in the air always amazes me.

I can wait to see photos of the mountains around Vancouver with snow on them. I think you live in a very beautiful area with some amazing sites and natural areas close to the city.

And just one more thing. How much candy was handed out and how much was enjoyed by those handing out.

Louise said...

What a beautiful place to watch planes take off and land! It is not nearly so interesting to do so where I live!

 gmirage said...

A great view! I always see to it that I take a photo of the greenery surrounding the airport before the plane lands...its always a beauty!

Rune Eide said...

Funny you should have that combination of Airport, Vancouver and float planes. I once spent a week in Vancouver (landing on that airport) attending a conference held in a large conference centre down town. It was a nice centre - olny the nearest neighbour was float plane quay were planes were taking off every 15 minutes or so (at least it felt like that). So every 15 minutes all the different speakers had to take a break...

Lapa37 said...

Love the pictures and the way you describe it is great.Thanks for stopping by my place.

Maria said...

Very nice pictures! Yes, airports are magical, sometimes, and often too loud :(
Thanks for sharing and have a nice week!

Carver said...

Those are all great shots. I love the amber tone fields with the overcast sky. Very beautiful.

EG CameraGirl said...

Well, I just learned that the Vancouver airport is actually in Richmond. No, I didn't know that. ;-) Ha! That means I HAVE been to Richmond.

Unknown said...

I love these pictures! I think gray skies and a little bit of fog add such lovely elements to photos!

Michele said...

A wonderful post. It's been a while since I have been down to Vancouver but when I was, I always loved to watch the airplanes come in and take off... it was always so fascinating!
But, I could never actually handle being on them... flying makes me a tad queasy... =(
Have a great week!
~Michele~

david mcmahon said...

That's such a familiar sight, Leslie. My flight came in over the water, but when my flight left YVR a week later, I think I was already asleep as soon as I sat down!!

imac said...

Looks very enjoyable place to live - with all the Autumn colours

Leora said...

Thanks for all the lovely Vancouver area pics. I've been there twice, as my cousins live there. I remember flying high in a friend's plane; beautiful but scary!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Leslie: What a neat view of your world so close to a large airport. I love your mountains even if it was a cloudy day.

Kelly said...

Wow! These are magical pictures! I enjoy watching planes landing and taking off as well! This is a great and very interesting post! Thanks for sharing!!

Lifecruiser said...

Wonderful photos and video. Yes, I love to watch those airplanes too, but for me it's only because I love to travel and know that they're going somewhere else in this wonderful world :-)

Lifecruiser Travel Blog

Momgen said...

Nice looking place and cool...

Mine is up

Shannon said...

I love to watch planes and it looks like you have a very nice spot to view with a wonderful background.

Thanks for commenting on my blog. :)

The Good Life in Virginia said...

love the photos and vancouver is one of my all time favorite places ever...miss the west coast so very much. thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment, take care.

dot said...

Now that was fun! I love your pictures and especially the little video.

Jeanne said...

Very interesting place. It looks like there should be some birds of some sort around like egrets or something. Are there even with the airport so near?

Pearl Maple said...

Great photos of the landscape. As a regular traveller, the sight of airplanes taking off always gets me to thinking off all the different adventures folks may be heading off to enjoy.
Thanks for sharing with everyone.

BNS said...

Count me as one of those who loves to watch planes take off and land. Thanks for the nice info about YVR. Now if I fly there I'll remember what you said about approaching for landing over the water.

D Herrod said...

Vancouver is one of the coolest places I've ever been.

Carletta said...

What wonderful vistas in your corner of the world!

antigoni said...

Excellent post! I love your photos. Beautiful way to spend some hours of your day.

Sandra said...

Fall colors are always inspiring, thank you very much for your visit. Bye and greetings from Croatia

Arija said...

Oooh I loved hearing your voice on the clip. Somehow it made the whole post so personal, like being there and sharing your excitement.

Ramosforest.Environment said...

Good report. Beautiful your World.

Ladynred said...

Yes something about watching planes take off. We've done last summer. beautiful fall colors.
My entry:
Travelherethere

Unknown said...

I am one of those that enjoys plane watching - very nice

Cathy said...

I love anything to do with flying and space and travel. Thanks for the beautiful pictures.

Lilli & Nevada said...

Love the view, and i too like looking at planes taking off, but not to be on them. I do like going places but like my feet planted on the ground

ms426d said...

Hi, Beautiful shots dispite the lack of sunshine. I recently got to watch planes take off from BWI, never been on one though. And you are absolutely right, grandkids are the greatest blessings us Moms can have!

Anonymous said...

Vancouver is one of my favorite cities. Thank you for sharing these views of its airports.

Rambling Woods said...

You're right about airports..I used to love to fly, now..not so much. But watching them take off and land is still fun. Great photos to share.

dianasfaria.com said...

I know what you mean about the simple pleasure of watching aircraft take off and land, it is fascinating. nice post.

Oman said...

the skyline and the hues of blue are fantastic. great job.

MumbaiiteAnu said...

Very interesting picture. Reminds me of my childhood days when I used to stand for hours in my aunt's balcony (she lives vey close to the domestic airport on the 7th floor) and watch planes take off and land.

Marina said...

When I see planes leaving I'm sad because I'm not IN them! Travelling is very ecxiting...

Shrinky said...

This is a beautiful, beautiful place, isn't it? What a lovely post Leslie!

It is always a white knuckle ride landing at our airport, the runway is short, the sea deep.. smile.

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Leslie, thank you for sharing such an interesting series of photographs. I would love to fly in or out over the water like that. Your video was really neat too. Thanks also for stopping by my blog.

Kathleen McQueen Wright said...

I have enjoyed looking at your blog you have wonderful photos!!