Oct 2021
That first night sky in the high desert
was fully unexpected, with no moon yet
the lighted canopy of brilliant heavenly
sparkling bodies appeared so dense and
near that at first view I felt perhaps I must
duck down so as to not bump my head
into a star or two.
City and town skies are muted by city lights,
only a few stars visible even on a clear night.
High Desert skies are so densely packed it
takes your breath away, you can sit for hours
with your mouth agape in contemplative
wonderment, mesmerized by the sheer vast
splendor of the heavens dense blanket of
shimmering lights out into infinity and beyond.
No telescope required.
was fully unexpected, with no moon yet
the lighted canopy of brilliant heavenly
sparkling bodies appeared so dense and
near that at first view I felt perhaps I must
duck down so as to not bump my head
into a star or two.
City and town skies are muted by city lights,
only a few stars visible even on a clear night.
High Desert skies are so densely packed it
takes your breath away, you can sit for hours
with your mouth agape in contemplative
wonderment, mesmerized by the sheer vast
splendor of the heavens dense blanket of
shimmering lights out into infinity and beyond.
No telescope required.
To say those lighted heavens made me
feel very small is an understatement.
Oregon's Southeastern Steens Mountain
High Desert, 5000 feet above sea level is
one of the most remote and year-round
darkest skies in North America. 65 miles
from even the nearest small country town.
Hundreds of miles from any city lights.
Great for star gazing! That first view is
indelibly etched upon my vision's memory
all these many years later, and every year
since I try to return. The place pulls me back
like a magnet.
feel very small is an understatement.
Oregon's Southeastern Steens Mountain
High Desert, 5000 feet above sea level is
one of the most remote and year-round
darkest skies in North America. 65 miles
from even the nearest small country town.
Hundreds of miles from any city lights.
Great for star gazing! That first view is
indelibly etched upon my vision's memory
all these many years later, and every year
since I try to return. The place pulls me back
like a magnet.
