“First stop, the Yukon, here we come!” Mrs. Tucker said excitedly, shifting her gaze to Mr. Tucker and Charlie, who was at that moment looking out the taxicab’s window.

After going through airport security, and taking a reasonably short flight, the Tuckers landed at the Whitehorse Airport.

“Where in the world are we again, mom? It looks very cold out those doors, brrr,” Charlie commented, as he looked out into the crisp scenery and gave himself a bear hug.

His mom then looked at Charlie and smiled, “Time to get out your map, Charlie, so you can place your first star on it. You are in the Yukon.”

“Your mom has decided that we are going to stay in the Yukon for two nights and three days, Charlie,” Mr. Tucker said, helping Charlie to put on his jacket before they all ventured outside.

“That’s exciting,” Charlie said, as he held his small hand up to hold his dad’s hand now that his jacket was on.

Once Charlie and his parents were outside, they couldn’t help notice how the air was crisp and very clean, and Charlie couldn’t believe how beautiful the Yukon was.

“What natural wonder of the world are we going to be seeing today, mom?” Charlie asked with curiosity while they waited for a taxi.

“We are going to be observing the northern lights tonight, Charlie,” Mrs. Tucker replied.

Before Charlie could ask why these northern lights were so special, his dad clarified with, “The unusual phenomena of the northern lights is one of our world’s natural wonders. Your mom has planned a couple of sky-watching sessions at night for us, where we will get to see, and maybe even hear if it is quiet enough, these dancing colorful lights in the sky. Some have said you can hear them crack and pop as they dance through the sky.”

“Wow, we are going to be stargazing and seeing lights in the sky, and they dance and make noise above our heads?” Charlie queried, almost disbelieving.

“Yep, they sure do, and depending on the given day, one night may be better than the other night, so that’s why we are going to stay in the Yukon for two nights,” Mrs. Tucker replied.

As the day progressed, the Tuckers settled in at the lodge, took a small hike, and then a horseback ride into the backcountry during the afternoon, but the best was yet to come.

As the sun went down, and the Tuckers finished their warm stew, they then prepared for their northern lights and stargazing experience.

Charlie couldn’t wait to see the light show!

Then there they were, the Tuckers lying on their backs watching the first stars that graced the night’s sky coming into view, when suddenly it happened.

“Look, mom, do you, did you see that green and blue light across the sky? Ohhhhh, there it goes again. It looks like waves of color,” Charlie exclaimed, his voice high with excitement.

“Wow, yeah, I saw it, too,” Mrs. Tucker gasped.

“Listen. Did you hear those snapping sounds and the slight crackling?” Mr. Tucker asked.

“Yeah, pops, pretty amazing” Charlie said, staring up into the night sky.

“Wow,” all of the Tuckers cried out in unison, as a rainbow wave so mesmerizing appeared that its beauty took them all by surprise. It was several minutes before anyone said anything.

“I feel so small looking up into the big sky, and thinking of all of the possibilities that are out there,” Charlie said in a softer tone.

“I know what you mean; it leaves one in wonder, doesn’t it?” Mr. Tucker responded.

“What an amazing experience it is to be alive and to witness such a sight,” Mrs. Tucker said in awe.

The following night, the Tuckers were again fortunate in seeing a spectacular aurora borealis.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip. The Tuckers had experienced an amazing couple of nights watching the northern lights dance and crackle above their heads.

They now found themselves back at the airport, awaiting their next flight that would take them further north!

© 2011 Crystal Buchan