On any full moon evening when it’s clear, you’ll find me staring eastward as the first glorious bit of light slides up onto the horizon. It’s truly a spectacle of nature and it happens every month!
I can’t really explain my fanatism. The full moon rising is a beautiful sight to be sure, but so are gorgeous sunrises and sunsets and I don’t go running around looking for them. I think my full moon passion has something to do with its simplicity and reliability. An “oo-ah” sunset is gaudy – every color red you can name – and you can’t count on it. In contrast, the rising full moon on a clear night is pure white-gold. And it happens at sunset exactly when NOAA says it will.
On Little John Island where I live, the public dock faces southeast towards Chebeague Island on the other side a good-size channel. It’s a perfect full moon viewing spot. Last evening my husband John (yes, John lives on Little John) stared open-mouthed as the Harvest Moon rose right over the Chebeague Island Inn.
On the way home we agreed, for the thousandth time, that we are so lucky to live in this lovely, lovely place. Neither of us has overwintered here – so I’ll report back mid-winter about the experience of full moon viewing off Little John then.