Next Stop: Europe
One of the many luxuries that comes with having a pilot for a dad is impromptu family vacations. So two weeks ago, when my dad texted in the family group chat, "Would you rather go on a cruise or go to London and Paris next month. I have 10 days off," I was more than ecstatic! The trip didn't even feel like it was really happening until I was boarding the plane in LAX, headed for London. (However, this was after it was delayed 2 hours due to "maintenance issues," and then 4 more after already boarding for other problems. This eventually resulted in us deplaning and overnighting in Los Angeles taking a day off our adventuring time in London.)
On the crazy trip from Phoenix to London, my expectations were set high for the many new experiences waiting for me within the next two weeks. Being a photography nerd, I think I was most excited for the unique photo opportunities I was going to have while in Europe. I had already taken a picture I was quite happy with after being discouraged in my photography skills for quite some time (kind of like a writer's block). This is the flower image (on the left) I took in Burbank, California at the Portal of the Folded Wing, a memorial or tribute to pilot's and aviation (pictured below).
An ironically tragic story is linked to this beautiful memorial. Decades ago on December 17, 1953, a commercial plane taking off from the Burbank airport crashed into the Portal of the Folded Wing. The ironic thing about this is this is where plaques are hanging honoring numerous pilots who impacted the history of aviation, like Amelia Earhart. The only survivor was Dale Black, who wrote a book about the experience from his point of view called, "The Flight to Heaven."
After this detour on the way to LA to make our flight to London, and after all the delays taking away from our vacation time, I was all too eager to start exploring all the wonderful places in Europe. Landing in London was surreal, and I anticipated the many adventures to come over the next week and a half.
All pictures are taken with a Nikon D3100 and a Sigma 18-250mm lens.
Pass to Travel: ISO: 400, Aperture: 3.5, Shutter Speed: 1/20 seconds
Flower and Boots: ISO: 100, Aperture: 3.5, Shutter Speed: 1/320 seconds
Folded Wing Portal: ISO: 100, Aperture: 3.5, Shutter Speed: 1/2500 seconds
