Airplanes in the Night Sky...

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Do you ever have those moments when you feel like you just need to get away? I'm not talking about a full-on vacation. But just a little escape from reality to contemplate life? Everywhere I've lived during my post-college life, I've always had an "Andrea place" to escape, get away, chill and meditate. In the Tri-Cities it was along the Columbia River, at a spot similar to this one...

In Tallahassee, it was at the Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway, amongst the live oak trees with their wispy willows dangling over the branches, and where much of this video was filmed:

I haven't felt like I had one of those places in D.C. (besides mine and Amy's "Abe Therapy" spot at the back of the Lincoln Memorial, but really that is "mine and Amy's spot," so it doesn't count), at least I thought I didn't have my own spot until it hit me this week. But, before you read any further... please press play on the following music clip (you can ignore the actual video, but just listen to the chorus)... it's now officially the theme song of my newly declared D.C. "Andrea place." (there might be a bad word in this song, so please put on your mental filter)

This spot is one of the first places I visited when I moved to our nation's capitol two years ago. It's called, "Gravelly Point" and it's incredible! It's a park located directly at the end of the Ronald Reagan National Airport runway. Depending on the direction of the wind, you can either watch airplanes take off or land. Watching them land is my favorite... but really I'm fascinated by either. There's just something about watching the airplanes... and hearing their thunderous sounds echoing through the sky... that puts me in my own tranquil world. I love it. I have been twice in the last four days. Both times with friends I consider dear. And every time I am completely mesmerized; by the airplanes in the night sky, with the lights glowing on the tarmac. And it feels like, if you just reach up high enough, you might be able to touch them as they fly overhead. Every one needs their own little place to get away sometimes. By ourselves, or with friends. And it's kind of a fun idea, to go along with this new theme song of mine, to pretend that they're like shooting stars. Because, let's face it, I bet we all have moments when we feel we could really use a wish right now...