I don’t understand how planes fly. How does a heavy metal cylinder fly through the air? Doesn’t make any sense.
I know this may sound illogical – I hate flying, but I love airports.
I love looking at the Brooks Brothers shop on the way to the E Concourse and wondering why anybody would ever shop at that location (and does Brooks Brothers view this store as a marketing expense instead of a profit driver)? I love staring at the 40-year-old man checking his blackberry (still exists?) while drinking a 20oz beer from Whiskey River at 10:07am. I love the time that I was over served at Phillips Seafood with my high school friends because our bachelor party flight was delayed 4 hours. I love staring at the CLT Newsstand NYTimes Best Seller List trying to decide whether to binge read a Clive Cussler or John Grisham book.
And, I love watching planes.
And, I love my baby and my baby momma.
And, somebody once told me that we have an airport overlook area for plane viewing.
So on Saturday at 10am, I thought to myself “Why don’t I combine all the things I love in life (wife, baby, airports without travel, beer and plane viewing) into one epic trip?”
So, I googled “Charlotte Airport Overlook” which lead me to a surprisingly insightful Facebook Page. I sent the link to my wife (she’s the family navigator because I have no skills) and packed the car.
We were ready to watch some planes!
Wait, I needed beer. So, I opened the refrigerator only to notice we no longer had any NoDa Cavu or Jam Session remaining. Ugh… I should have signed up for Brewpublik. Good news. I’ve been keeping a spare 12 pack of warm Yuengling in the basement for emergency. Watching planes without beer? That’s an emergency. So, I packed a cooler.
From our house, it’s an easy 17-minute drive to the airport.
Agenda Pro Tip #1: As you get close to the airport, near the old rental car area, take the “Airport Exit” on your right – we missed it because I was driving and not listening to my wife. I always claim “As the crow flies, I feel like it’s over there.”
Agenda Pro Tip #2: Always listen to your wife.
As we approached the Airport Overlook, I immediately learned two things: (1) No beer allowed and (2) there is a nice bike path that leads all the way there.
I decided not to drink my beer for three reasons: (1) Warmish Yuengling sounded terrible, (2) it was 95 degrees out and (3) my wife is a huge rule follower. Let’s be honest, it was really because my wife told me not to.
Planes on planes on planes.
Honestly, I loved it. Even in the heat.
Agenda Pro Tip #3: This is not a romantic spot. Lots of kids running around. Don’t bring a fine cheese plate and a bottle of wine. It’s more of a Bud Heavy spot, not a ’97 Pinot spot.
@ted_williams Glad you enjoyed it! And we are on Twitter. 🙂
— CLT Airport (@CLTAirport) August 6, 2015
The planes! How do they do this?
The only person that loved it more than I did was my 9-month-old son. But alas, we forgot sunscreen and it was 95 degrees, so we left after 12 minutes.
.@TheTrolleyWalk @ted_williams 2 hours of planning and 3 arguments with your wife for 12 min of fun…sounds about right. #dadlife
— Andy Henson (@ahhenson) August 6, 2015
