Happy Monday - Seattle the perfect city

Every other Monday, I'll be sharing a positive story to kick off the week. Most often time, people (including me) bitch about pretty much everything on this first day of the week. No one seems to be excited about the perspective of getting back to work and meeting with colleagues, bosses or partners. Let's reverse this trend and talk about something positive! Do you want to join me? What is your positive story today?

Mine is about Seattle (unexpectedly) been an amazing city...for plane or aviation enthusiasts. This morning I was reading an article about the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Boeing nightmare to be honest!) finally delivering their first plane to ANA today 9/26, 2 years behind schedule. But that's not the point of my story.

How many aviation enthusiasts out there have the chance to leave in a city where you can witness history and some of the first flights of the 787 or other Boeing planes

Boeing facilities in Everett WA - Mount Rainier in the background

My wife, my in-laws and I did just that last summer while visiting the Museum of Flight in Everett on a beautiful sunny day. Heading back to our cars and on the museum parking lot, we heard on the back a plane roaring. I ran to my car a pulled my Canon 7D to take few shots. The 787 was preparing to make one of its scheduled end of day test flight. What a luck!

One of the 787 demonstrator about to take off

I also had the chance to see the ANA (All Nippon Airlines) livery and demonstrator taking off and landing at Boeing airfield located south of downtown Seattle. That day the plane landed with the cargo door opening during touch down and rubbing the tarmac. Scaryyy! I can't show you this picture unfortunately since the shot I have is not mine :(. But trust me, I saw it with my own eyes while driving to a better spot to take my pictures.

Fast forwarding onto this summer. Much like on every July in Seattle, we have the chance to enjoy the Blue Angels. If there is one reason to come to visit in July, this is certainly a compelling one. If you are interested, take a look at the Seafair website for more information about this summer festival taking place on Lake Washington and also featuring speedboats. In the meantime enjoy some of my pictures of the amazing Blue Angels at Boeing Airfield.

# 5 taking-off - July 2011

Blue Angels breaking formation - July 2011

# 5 landing after his demo over lake Washington - July 2011

The beauty of such a day is that you'll get for your money (or not as you don't need to pay a dime if you're smart). All you can imagine planes are on display and with a bit of patience you get to see rare flying birds like this bright red one below.

And even this Harrier from the UK RAF (Royal Air Force). In case you are not aware, this fighter jet takes off and lands vertically almost like an helicopter.

Harrier from the RAF (Royal Air Forces)

I'm sure you're now convinced to book your ticket to Seattle! You don't think of our city as the Rain city anymore but rather a place to enjoy planes of all kinds. Just one advice though! Target July to August time frame to visit. And don't be surprise to see a lot of Seattleites around during the summer season as you will never see the city in a better costume. You'll love it and all it has to offer, especially you plane lovers:).

Btw today the rain is back! The Boeing 787 ANA didn't mind to take its first flight. Coming here you should not either.