by Bruce Burke
At my age 1st in a lifetime experiences bcome more & more infrequent,so here goes.
Took my family on a cruise up the inland passage 2 Alaska week of 8/6 to 8/13. I packed binocs & tripod & set my alarm for 3am.
Tues am; heavy overcast
Wed am heavy overcast
Thur am; I was still up @3am; the night was clear but it was our 16th wedding anniversary & we had other amusements ( OK,so I'm not as obsessive as SOME of u folks- so call me a wuss...)
Fri am; heavy overcast
Sat am; clear! I got my 11 year old son (he & his grandpa had their own cabin). I promised we would look 4 aurorae. We found the only dark deck area on the whole ship.The teenagers aboard had apparently done so on the first night of the cruise. So there were several couples occupying deck chairs & covered in blankets. No aurora, but we saw 1/2 a doz. nice Pereids & I directed son 2 several easy sky targets.
@ such an early hour he was only good for 20 minutes,so we left the variously whispering/giggling/moaning couples 2continue their own evening's entertainment. PARENTS do u know where ur teens are? Sun am; cluody again. No aurora, but plenty of daylight scenery and food & food & food & FOOD until we were all quite sated & my In & Out Burger back home was a treat.