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Brett / B.J. Marraccini

Bouncing between information systems, photography and outdoor adventures.

  Washington State
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22 September 2025

Window Seats

by B.J. Marraccini

Window Seats

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I’m not bothered by paying a little extra to get premium class seating on Alaska Airlines flights. It’s not just for that extra legroom, it’s also for the window seats between rows 5 and 9. These are the primo seats: your view is unobstructed by the wings, so you get a wide view of whats below, ahead and behind you.

“Where’s the sun going to be?”, “Will it be low enough?”, “Are there clouds?”… These are the main questions I consider when purchasing a ticket in and out of Seattle. Because both the ascent and descent for certain routes over the Cascades take you very close to the Volcanoes, both ancient and active, and if you’re like me, you can mind surf and climb them from the comfort of your seat at about 15k-20k’. 

Sometimes, coming over the Cascades can turn your stomach in an instant, and other times there will be clouds obscuring your views, especially in winter. But on occasion, if you time it correctly with the elements and the celestials, you will witness the same bird’s eye views that God, Mother Nature and the Great Sprit enjoy. 

Capture some photos of course, but make sure you also set aside some time to be a kid again and just stare, dream and enjoy.

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tags: stories - photos