Travel Writing Prompt

Vantage Points for Awe in the Sky

Sometimes the least expected moments turn out to be the best

Ordinary

The sky is fascinating. I often spend hours researching and planning to make sure I get the best vantage points for awe on my local walks and for my distant travels. I check elevations, sunrise and sunset times, seasons, and available experiences for each location.

I take pictures to document the sky from airplanes, helicopters, boats, cliffs, bluffs, beaches, and riversides. I am especially awed by moments when the sky and water work together to create their ultimate masterpieces.

There have been many sunsets and sunrises from special vantage points that I thought would be my forever favorite. Yet, I continue to find a new favorite. Sometimes I even revisit old favorites and they outdo themselves to again take the top spot. The sky is ever-changing, always unveiling never-ending beauty.

On a recent trip back to the Les Cheneaux Islands in Michigan, I spent several hours documenting sunrises and sunsets, clouds, and reflections of the sky on the water.

I am awe sensitive, but I do worry that one day my feelings of awe will run out for these daily doses. I hope the sky never becomes ordinary in my eyes.

Extraordinary

While I was in Michigan, something unexpected happened that caught me completely off guard. Usually, I plan my vantage points, and I get what I expect with just a bit of a boost. Nature always reaches a little beyond what I imagine. This time, I was blown away, out of the blue.

The morning started earlier than I would have liked. My husband was scheduled to fly back home to Pennsylvania. I was not looking forward to driving him to the airport at 4 a.m. for his 6 a.m. flight. This was the only flight available when we booked. To my surprise, 4 a.m. wasn’t so bad. There was no traffic and I could feel a special peacefulness about the morning.

As soon as I left the airport, I could tell I was headed for something extraordinary on the road ahead.

This actually turned out to be one of the most awe-inducing experiences I’ve had this summer. The sunrise over the fields of the neighboring town proved to be even more enchanting than I could ever dream.

There were low clouds along the horizon and just enough sun peeking through to highlight the green grass in front of the pink, purple, and peach sky. I pulled over to the side of the road a few times to catch my breath and take in the beauty of this daybreak.

Unexpected

I would never have planned to take in a sunrise from this farmland location. It lacked the water element and the elevation that I prefer.

I would never have experienced this moment if not for the early morning trip to the airport. This was an unexpected, enchanted, and mesmerizing scene. I was the only one on the road. I felt so small in the vastness of the universe. There was a softness that felt like a bubble around me closing off the rest of the world.

Also unexpectedly, I learned an important lesson. I should reconsider what I think I know about the “best” vantage points. More flexibility in my thinking would leave room for more unexpected and extraordinary experiences.

I feel lucky. My mind is now open to experience even more awe from a wider variety of vantage points in the future.

Second Dose

As I continued on my journey, I couldn’t believe the view I experienced from the causeway. I felt humbled, I couldn’t possibly deserve to enjoy this second dose of awe. I felt pure gratitude to see the day further unfold before my eyes.

Grand Finale

As I reached my final destination, I was greeted with another ‘awemazing’ display. I was overwhelmed with awe and completely fascinated by the sky.

Thanks for reading! I hope everyone finds their perfect Vantage Points For Awe.

Thanks to the World Traveler’s Blog for this prompt #fascinatingsky.

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