Standing Outside with Mom
Chasing the Sky
Because I’m a landscape photographer, I’m prone to seek adventure in the outdoors. Sometimes I can be found in the middle of nowhere, in the dark, photographing the night sky. It’s a common part of my life—but it’s not for everyone. It’s certainly not something my 82-year-old mother does.
An Unexpected Yes
I was visiting my mom for a few days recently when I saw a forecast for a large aurora display. There was even a chance it would be visible to the naked eye—not just through a camera. I asked Mom if she wanted to head out and see what we could find, and to my surprise, she said yes enthusiastically.
Road Trip to See The Aurora at The Painted Hills
Mom lives in Prineville, in Central Oregon. We decided to drive to the Painted Hills near Mitchell—about an hour away—for the best view. After dinner, we packed some drinks, snacks, warm clothes, and a cozy blanket for Mom. Then, the three of us—me, Mom, and Hazel, my dog—hit the road.
As we headed out, Mom was clearly excited, but she reminded me to watch for deer. I assured her that I would drive with caution, not realizing how right she was to bring it up.
A Close Call with Nature
Driving north on Highway 26, we made our way through the dark night with the caution I’d promised. Just as Mom predicted, two elk suddenly walked onto the road in front of us as we passed through the Ochoco pines.
It all happened so fast. I didn’t have time to stop. As I got closer, it looked like I might not make it between them—but at the last second, they each took a step apart. I chose a narrow path between them, just wide enough for the car to pass, and stepped on the gas.
Once we were safely through, Mom looked at me, clearly impressed, and said, “You’re incredible. You missed those elk!” I appreciated the compliment. Truthfully, my heart was pounding. I couldn’t help but think how lucky we were.
Alone in the Painted Hills
With that adrenaline rush behind us, we made it to the Painted Hills overlook safely. To my surprise, the parking lot was completely empty. We turned off the car and waited for our eyes to adjust to the dark.
I grabbed my camera and headed a short distance up the trail to a vantage point, Hazel at my heels. The moon was faint, and thin clouds drifted across the sky—sometimes obscuring the stars, sometimes revealing them. Once my eyes adjusted, I began to see faint color in the sky.
A Shared Moment
Mom wrapped herself in her blanket and stood there in the dark taking it all in. She pointed at the southern sky near the moon and asked if I could see the color in the sky. Once she pointed it out, I stood there with her amazed at the experience. Being outside in the beautiful moonlit scenery at the Painted Hills with the aurora a faint color in the sky was such a breathtaking experience. I hugged mom and reminded her of how much I love her. Mom wrapped herself in her blanket and stood there in the darkness, taking it all in. She pointed toward the southern sky, near the moon, and asked if I could see the color. I hadn’t noticed it until she did. Once I looked closer, there it was—a soft, ethereal glow.
We stood there together, surrounded by the moonlit hills and under a sky touched by aurora. It was a breathtaking experience. I hugged Mom and reminded her how much I love her.
Photographing the Night
After a while, I wandered to different spots for new angles while the sky shifted. Hazel stayed close. Although the aurora was faint to the eye, the camera captured colors and detail that amazed me. I was excited about the photos I was getting.
Eventually, I made my way back to the car. Mom and Hazel had decided to stay warm and snack on cookies while I explored. I opened the door and joined them. I showed Mom the images on the back of my camera, and we sat there talking about the aurora and the joy of being in the middle of nowhere together. It was a total break from her usual evening routine—and a moment we were sharing, just a mom and her son.
The Way Home
We decided to head home before it got too late. The drive back was uneventful, thankfully, and we arrived around 1:30 in the morning. Both of us were still buzzing from the adventure.
Morning Reflections
The next morning, we slept in a bit. Over coffee, we recapped the night watching the Aurora at The Painted Hills—dodging elk on the highway, standing under the stars, and eating cookies in the car. Honestly, I don’t think the night could have been much better.