Around dinner time I received the urgent email alert:

“… tonight’s aurora forecast: better than previously forecasted auroras expected tonight, possible storm levels. Be ready, Alaska, Canada, and some northern states. Kp level could reach 6— Oct 6 & 7. That’s tonight and tomorrow night!!! Be ready”

Be ready! That is the call to a dark rural area, which takes all of 1 minute around here. My strategy this summer is to head out to a small lake near town and hang out in the van. I sit outside reading the Kindle until around midnight. If I don’t see anything, I climb into the van and sleep until 4 AM–lights are often visible during the hours before dawn.

As always, I did not see a thing at either time. I was restless and also peeked out the window a few times overnight. By 4 AM the northern sky was cloudy and the rising quarter moon cast too much light. The opportunity was over–for last night. Usually, I go back to sleep, but not this morning. The air temperature was 38 degrees and I was cold, despite a thick sleeping blanket and two quilts. Time to head back into town.

I always check the Facebook reports (Aurora Notifications and Aurora Alerts)  about the Aurora sightings after an alert. The latest notice indicated that others did see Auroras across the northern tier of states, including ND. Even Colorado had sightings.Sob. Someone saw them up here. Why not me? Sob Sob.

The experts say that seeing Auroras requires persistence and luck. Persistence, as in heading out into the dark night every time conditions are right. Luck, as in being in the right place at the right time, which means no cloud cover. Wondering if my luck goes up over time?  Lifelong residents see them eventually and have wonderful stories about dancing green lights. Hoping!

Note about alerts: you can Google “Free Aurora alerts” to get on an email list (one site costs). Also available: Aurora Alert Apps, which I have not tried yet!