Sunrise No. 67 of 2,000+
- Sunrise time: 7:16
- Azimuth: 96° ⇡
- Did the sun rise: Yes
- Was the sun visible: Yes
- Felt like: 0 ºF
- Air Temp: 0 ºF
- Humidity: 71%
- Wind: 1 mph ⇡
- Wind gust: 2 mph
Exposure
- 22mm
- f/9.0
- 1/100 sec
- 250
Clark Lambros Park, Marquette, MI
2.1 mile commute
📍 46° 34' 28" N, -87° 23' 28" W
Musings [482 words]
Carl, this one’s for you.
Today marks the 67th consecutive sunrise I have sought. It has all been regardless of weather, time, sleep, or the craziest February I recall in my adult life.
It’s safe to say, that I have now sought more sunrises in 2019 than I have south cumulatively in my first 36 years on this planet.
Of course, during the first 18 years or so, seeking a sunrise was of no concern to me. Which means, have I sought 67 sunrises in 18 years.
Going in reverse chronological order, I have sought the sunrise each January 1st for seven years, ok, so there’s seven to account for. During my time in Marquette I have sought the sunrise a few other times throughout the year – mornings following heartache, sleepless nights, and occasionally making the time before morning obligations. All of this, might add up to 15 sunrises, at best.
This leaves me with, did I seek out 55 sunrises between age 18 and age 31? That would be an average of 4.2 per year. Certainly, that’s not very many. That should be a small effort for any of us. I can say during college, it was unlikely I woke up intentionally for the sunrise more than a couple times.
Now, were’re down to roughly 50 sunrises between ages 23 and 31. The other biggest gap of time was a 5-year span in Lansing. During that time I certainly saw many sunrises on my walk to work, often I would pause to take a photo. However, I’d be hard pressed to say that the purpose was to see the sunrise, rather it was just something that happened while on my commute to work.
Certainly, I have witnessed countless sunrises in these 36 years. However, it’s safe to say most of those were during commute, a moment based entirely on circumstance as I had somewhere to get to while the sun was rising. It began with waiting for the school bus as a child, continued with countless walks to morning classes on campus, and then morning commutes while driving, and eventually morning commutes while walking. Believe me, there have been some awe inspiring sunrises, often leaving me frustrated as I felt I didn’t have the time or freedom from my class and work obligations to take in the moment.
Isn’t that so often the case? Whether it be sunrise or sunset, it’s something we mostly experienece during commute. It’s rare for most us in this culture to see the sunrise with the deliberate intent on seeing the sunrise.
How many times have I, or you, or we, been driving and see a beautiul sunrise or sunset so we pull over to take a photo or two and continue on our way? I’m learning that it’s vital, that we should be delibrate in seeking these moments, and not leave them to happenstance.