This week's geomagnetic storm sent colors all the way to Louisiana!
In 2021 when we were still wearing masks, Delta offered a cheap flight to Alaska: $220 from Atlanta to Fairbanks! I grabbed that ticket faster than green grass through a goose. I had always wanted to see the Northern Lights and the ticket dates were the week after Labor Day. Chances were I could view the aurora borealis and catch some attractions before they shut down for the winter.
And yes, I got to do both. I took a trip to the Arctic Circle where in the middle of a cold night I spotted some faint green lines across the sky—I was in awesome company and delicious hot chocolate—but the big event happened at 2 a.m. on my final evening in Fairbanks. My helpful concierge woke me up around 1:30 a.m. to announce that the "lights were out," so I threw on my clothes and emerged into a clearing behind the hotel to see a lovely display.
But that's Alaska.
Imagine my surprise to see a palate of pinks in Georgia!
A massive geomagnetic storm is hitting the U.S. right now and I learned that even if you can't see the aurora in the sky, use your iPhone to shoot photos. So, I did. And there they were, brilliant pinks and fuchsias, like someone took a paintbrush against the horizon above my condo complex. I was so excited standing outside in my PJs and robe that I jumped up and down. Yes, nature makes me so happy.
I posted to social media and found friends around the South posting their own photos, some incredible bouts of color and some as far South as Florida and Louisiana.
Never thought this would happen so far South.
Did y'all see it?
Weird, Wacky & Wild South is written by Cheré Dastugue Coen who's crazy enough to jump on a plane to see the Northern Lights in Alaska.
