Durham: RDU Observation Deck; A match made in controlled heaven

Photo details:
1. RDU entrance
2. A cloudy day at Observation Park.
3. History in aviation - information on all of the planes created & flown at RDU
4. The observation deck
5. Entertainment for the kiddos
6. Planes lining up for take-off
7. United arrives
8. Delta departs

 During my childhood, many of my relatives would travel to Oklahoma City to visit. While I loved their visits, I loved picking them up from the airport and hearing about their travel more. My parents would always allow additional time to take me into the air tower or to sit at the chairs in the terminals, facing the runways.  I loved watching the planes take off and land. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d answer “I want to ride on planes” (when I wasn’t selling M&M’s door-to-door, but that’s another story).

Aside from a long few months of crazy, I’ve always loved all things related to air travel. I love the planning of every last detail, the grandness of flying high in the skies, the smell of jet fuel, the personal space that is mine for the duration of the flight, seeing the world from another perspective, the calculated drink service, the control of passengers and mostly, the nostalgic, comfort of airports.

While sitting on the runway during our first visit to Durham, I noticed an area where people were standing to watch the airplanes. While I’ve traveled a lot during my time in Durham, the exact location of this observation area was still a mystery. That is, until one fateful trip to Asheville required a rental car, parking garage, new areas (to us) of RDU and a bumpy bus ride.

On Saturday, we woke up early, grabbed some coffee & bagels and drove to RDU to sit in silent excitement at the RDU observation park. While it is mostly geared to and attended by families with children, it is a unique example of entertainment and forethought.  You can just feel the love that the planners and builders have for aviation and maybe, their own childhood memories.

There’s something so peaceful about the landing and taking off of planes. It’s almost like seeing a big, burly, scary man being sensitive and gentle with nature or a child. It’s an unexpected calm, with a guarded, precise control.  It's how I imagine I'd like to be thought of - calming, reserved control with an underlying, unexpected, excited chaos.

This revitalizing, peaceful outing is another new tradition we look forward to having each weekend, maybe every other.  It just fits with us and our weekend routine - it just fits with us.