Dreaming of green flashes and northern lights
Issue 43 : Jul/Aug 2005
Northern lights are just below the green flash on my list of rare and delightful phenomena. There may be some doubt in some circles about the reality of the green flash, but northern lights do occur, we’re all absolutely positive. Yet they don’t occur frequently enough to be taken for granted. More importantly, they last long enough when they do occur for there to be no doubt in the minds of any who are lucky enough to catch them. I don’t want to know
how many times I was not lucky enough to catch the northern lights. I’m sure I’ve often missed the show because I was sleeping. The action can only be seen when it’s dark, and in the northern summer it’s not dark until late. The green flash has the advantage of predictability in that sense. If you will see it at all, that moment occurs during your waking hours . . . during, in fact, a very restful portion of most people’s days.
Although they may be less predictable, northern lights are showier. In their most glorious moments, the visual and emotional spectacle is mesmerizing, momentous, magical, mystical, moving. This is a phenomenon so rich and compelling that all other activity is brought to a standstill. This is a light show that puts all earthly electronic versions to shame. In spite of regularly cruising northern waters, I haven’t had this opportunity often. Not nearly often enough.
I hope some day to see the green flash. I believe it is a phenomenon just as real. But — if given a chance to catch only one just once more in my lifetime — I’ll choose the northern lights.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
