Eleanor's Adventures

In the words of Charles Dickens, it was the best of times, and it was the worst of times. After sitting on a bus of (mostly) drunken tourists for four hours, with lengthy stops in the wilderness spent trudging around in the snow hopefully looking up at the darkened sky, it was 11:30 at night, and I was cold. There was no sight of what I wanted and hoped to see, I doubted I would see it, it's elusive and few people ever do. Despite my frozen state, I was determined not to give in and retreat to the warmth of the coach in case it came while I was inside and I missed it. I searched the sky and studied a grey hazy cloud trail, it began to faintly glow yellow, I must be straining my eyes too much, but I continue to watch, hoping but not quite daring to believe. My hope grows as the cloud's glow does, it's here. I find myself automatically lying down in the deep snow, sprawled and staring up in awe as the aurora borealis dance with the stars above me. The faint yellow glow quickly turns to a vibrant green, waving and snaking across the sky, fading and reappearing in another spot not far away.

They both are, and are not what you imagine them to be at the same time. They stir a feeling inside of you that is impossible to describe, I felt like I was watching something supernatural, the earth's soul travelling across the sky, or strange fairies chasing each other in a playful game. The northern lights create a path across the sky above me with great ease, moving almost like water, they hold such majesty, but bring with them an overwhelming sense of calm. I wish for this moment to last forever, I could watch them until the end of time if they'd let me.

I should capture this sight, take a picture to show others what I have seen here tonight, but the moment is too perfect to spoil with worrying about taking a photo that could only ever be a poor imitation of what I can see now before my eyes. I'd rather enjoy it while it lasts, who knows if I'll ever see this again? Soon they will slip away from me, fade into the black, and I will be pulled away from this place and the magic I have experienced. But for now, I have found them, and I will savor their unique dance, and the best of times.