the northern lights
i have an app that forecasts the northern lights on my ipod but i never remember to look at it. instead, i rely on atlas. he can always be counted on to drag me out of bed for one (or two) (or three) middle-of-the-night potty runs. if the northern lights are visible at all, i will probably be outside at some point to see them. unfortunately, i am too sleepy in those moments to drive to the lake for prime viewing.
on monday, the show started at 10 (!!!) so i put a jacket on over my pajamas & grabbed my camera & drove to the lake. thanks to a kindly person who told me what shutter speed to use and then shared their flashlight with me so i could adjust my camera settings, i was able to capture some memories. (next time, i need to bring a tripod. i can tell when people were walking down the stairs – i was using the railing as a tripod – by the look of the stars.)
if you’ve never seen the northern lights, i hope you get to see them someday. i’ve seen them many many times over the years (all here, in michigan’s upper peninsula) and they never grow old. they remind me of magic & wonder & all good things. and as my dad would say, “now here’s something that deserves the adjective awesome.”
I’ve always wanted to see the northern lights. I have spent a small amount of time in Alaska and some of that time above the Arctic Circle, but never when the northern lights were active.
Oooh. I imagine them to be even better in Alaska.
Have only seen them once! In a deep winter, here in upper NYS.
One of our sons came over and told me, to come out and look!!! (His father was still working in the pharmacy) So it was before 9pm at night.
And we stood on the front door step and froze and watched. It was magical.
How lucky you are, to have regular viewing, in Michigan. !!!!
Thank you so much, for sharing your joy, with us, here.
Gentle hugs,
Tessa
What a beautiful memory! Thank you for sharing it. I can just imagine it. And they are, indeed, worth a freeze.
i remember standing in awe in far northern Minnesota … one year they were especially active.
it NEVER grew old watching them!
magical is the word for sure.
and strangely enough i felt a kinship with ancient man who no doubt stood in awe and wonder …
very moving.