Alaska Aurora
So, Rebecca and I regularly take vacations of just the two of us. We now have started a theme of sorts, where the vacation is a bit of a Bucket List item for one of us. In 2023, it was my turn with a vacation spending time in the Northwest and then taking the Amtrak Empire Builder train for a three night ride from Seattle to Chicago. It was great and we now have determined sleeping on a train, even in a bed, is problematic at best ;-)
For the next Bucket List trip, it was Rebecca’s turn. For her trip it was to see the Aurora Borealis in person. Like me and the train planning, Rebecca did pretty much all the research for the Aurora. It was settled, that Alaska in late February during a new moon would give us the best opportunities for viewing the Northern Lights… as long as the weather cooperated. We booked our week, a few days in Fairbanks, Alaska and then the rest of the week at Chena Hot Springs Resort. Being from Florida, we don’t own the kind of clothing that is required to spend time in sub zero temperatures, so we rented from an Alaska Element outfitters who provided to our hotel the coats, bibs, boots, and mittens. We tested them out a few times in and around Fairbanks with an outdoor hike and spending time at an ice sculpture competition.
We take a shuttle to the resort, get checked in, unpack a bit in our room and try and rest a little because in a few hours we make our first attempt at Aurora viewing. Now during the beginning of this week, the days and nights have been cloudy and viewing Aurora was not possible, so we were relieved the day of our excursion was clear and we were hopeful it would stay that way through the night.
The resort provides transport to the top of nearby Charlie Dome mountain where they have a couple large yurts for warming up and the skies are free from any light pollution. When we arrive, the light show had begun, it was amazing. We walk around a little and I begin setting up my tripod and camera to take some photos. Aurora can be unpredictable, so I felt some pressure to quickly get as many photos immediately, turns out tonight I needed to feel none. As the hours went along, the light show only got stronger and more vibrant. I ended up with lots of great photos and one point Rebecca gratefully had to pull my head out of the camera and just be still and look with my eyes. I will remember many things from that night but the sense of quiet and peace that sky was presenting will be my favorite.
