Sierra Nevada

California’s Sierra Nevada range is home to stars. A lot of stars. I am camping with a group in the Lakes Basin area at the north end of the range. Here, the days are warm and typically a little cloudy but the nights are cool and clear. Hours after the sun sets, it is time to appreciate the night sky. Around the campfire, dinner is enjoyed with a ukulele sing-along, led by Nancy. Michael, who us officially our leader, is in reality the biggest child (bigger even than Iris - who is 9) and he entertains with a illuminated hula hoop. Moving away from the campfire, eyes adjust to the darkness and the light from the stars grows brighter and we lie on our backs to get the full effect. The Milky Way is strong this night, behind the silhouette of tall trees. A shooting star brings murmurings of appreciation from the group lying on the ground. Man-made satellites drift slowly through the star field and an occasional jet flys through too, on the way to some distant city.

 

 

Goodnight Irene / Goodnight Irene