By Gary Randall, The Mountain Times
Because I’m a landscape photographer, I’m prone to seeking adventure in the outdoors. Sometimes I can be found in the middle of nowhere in the dark photographing the night sky. It’s a common part of my life but it’s not for everyone. It’s certainly not something that my 82-year-old mother does.
I was visiting my mom for a few days recently and there was a forecast for a large aurora display and the chance to be able to see the lights with our eyes and not just with a camera. I asked mom if she wanted to head out to see what we could see, and she said yes enthusiastically.
Mom lives in Prineville in Central Oregon and so we decided to go to The Painted Hills near Mitchell, about an hour away. We had dinner, packed some drinks and snacks, some warm clothes, a warm blanket for mom, and we, along with Hazel, my dog, headed out on our adventure. Mom was excited as we headed down the road but reminded me that we needed to watch for deer. I assured her that I would drive with caution, not knowing she was foreshadowing what was to come.
Going north on Highway 26 we drove through the dark night with the caution that I promised mom. And as mom predicted, on our way through the Ochoco pines, two elk walked in front of the car. It happened so fast that all I could do was react. As I got closer it looked like I might not stop soon enough but as I approached, they both took a step apart. I chose a path between them just wide enough for the car to pass and stepped on the gas.
Once we passed the elk my mom looked at me, obviously impressed by my driving skill, and said, “You’re incredible. You missed those elk!” I’m glad she credited my driving skill because my heart was pounding, thinking about how lucky we were to miss them.
With the elk experience behind us we made our way to the Painted Hills overlook safely and to my surprise found nobody there. We turned the car off and sat until our eyes adjusted to the dark. I grabbed my camera and walked a short distance up the trail to a vantage point, with little dog Hazel on my heels. There was a faint moon and some scattered clouds that at one moment obscured the sky and at another revealed the stars. Once my eyes adjusted, I was able to see faint color in the sky.
Mom wrapped herself in her blanket and stood there in the dark taking it all in. She pointed at the southern sky near the moon and asked if I could see the color in the sky. Once she pointed it out, I stood there with her, amazed at the experience. Being outside in the beautiful moonlit scenery at the Painted Hills with the aurora a faint color in the sky was such a breathtaking experience. I hugged mom and reminded her of how much I loved her.
I proceeded to roam around to different places to stand for a different point of view while the sky changed with a dynamic that made for dramatic and unique photos. Although what we saw didn’t quite match what the camera saw, I was excited about the photos I was taking.
I wandered back to the car. Mom and Hazel had decided that they would sit inside where it was warmer and snack on cookies while I was wandering in the darkness. I opened the door and hopped in with them. I showed mom the photos I’d taken. We sat and chatted about the aurora and the fun we were having in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night. Mom was so happy to be outside with me and Hazel. It was a total departure from her evening routine. And we spent the time together. A mom and her son.
We decided to head home before it got too late. The drive home was uneventful, unlike the drive to the hills, and we arrived about 1:30 in the morning, still excited by the adventure that we’d had together.
The next morning we both slept in a bit, and what great conversation we had over our coffee. Risking our lives on the highway dodging elk, standing under the stars, sitting in the car eating cookies – I’m not sure the night could have been much better.