I am so excited! 

Five years ago in Iceland, we tried to see the Aurora Borealis – and never saw them.  One of the BIG reasons for coming to Alaska – especially this part of Alaska for this number of days at this time of year – was to see the Aurora – and I did!  Tonight!

Not only did I see them, I captured them on my camera.  I started off with a rookie mistake:  I left my lens cap on!  Ugh!  A few other people were taking great photos with their iPhones, and I was getting NOTHING! 

Then I took my lens cap off and VOILA!  Amazing photos!

My second night at Chena Hot Springs Resort, I joined an Aurora Tour.  About 40 of us rode in Humvees up the hill to see the lights.  To keep us warm and comfortable, we hung out in a yurt – by a heater and drinking hot beverages.  The tour started at 9:30pm and ended at 2:30am.  The best part?  Hanging out and chatting with some wonderful people!

At first it was clear…

…then the clouds moved in.

Surprisingly, the lights were out on my fifth night!  I thought for sure I wouldn’t see them due to the clouds!  While sitting in the Activity Center, using the relatively good WiFi, someone ran in and told me the Aurora was visible.  I grabbed my camera and tripod to snap these photos!