Okay, folks, let’s talk about my little adventure this past Sunday trying to catch the Northern Lights in California.
It all started with those space weather alerts. I kept seeing stuff pop up online about a strong solar storm, and some folks were saying there was a chance of seeing the aurora borealis pretty far south, even down into California. Now, I’m no astronomy expert, but I love a good light show, and the idea of seeing the Northern Lights without freezing my butt off in Alaska sounded amazing.
Getting Ready (Or Trying To)
First, I tried to do some research. I say “tried” because, let’s be honest, it’s the internet. One site said “high probability,” another said “slim to none.” So, I basically just picked a direction that seemed dark and away from city lights, and that happened to point me North.
I grabbed my old camera, which I barely know how to use, charged the battery (important!), and threw a blanket and some snacks in the car. My “plan” was pretty loose – drive until it got dark, find a spot with a clear view of the sky, and hope for the best.
The Drive and the Wait
The drive itself was…well, it was a drive. Lots of highway, some winding roads as I got further out, and a whole lot of nothing. I stopped at a gas station for coffee and a chat with the attendant, who looked at me like I was crazy when I mentioned the Northern Lights. He just said, “Good luck with that.”
I finally found a spot that seemed promising – a pull-off on a small road with a decent view of the northern horizon. It wasn’t perfect; there was still a bit of light pollution from a distant town, but it was the best I could do on short notice.
The Show (Or Lack Thereof)
And then…I waited. And waited. And waited some more. I fiddled with my camera settings, mostly guessing. I ate my snacks. I stared at the sky. No magical green and purple curtains. Nope.
I did check on my phone, find a suitable place, set up, adjust my camera and try to capture.
The sky was beautiful, don’t get me wrong. Clear, with lots of stars. But no aurora. After a couple of hours, I decided to call it quits. I was tired, a little disappointed, but hey, at least I got out of the house, right?
Lessons Learned
- Don’t get your hopes up too high based on internet hype.
- Do bring snacks. Always bring snacks.
- Maybe learn how to use your camera before you go out.
- Even if you don’t see the Northern Lights, a night under the stars is still pretty great.
So, that was my Northern Lights adventure in California. A bit of a bust, but a fun story anyway. Maybe next time I’ll actually see them!
