Chasing Rainbows

“It’s raining again,” Kurt commented.

I looked outside and saw the sparkle of rain, lit by sun. It was one of those spring showery days, where the sun and rain had been continually vying for control. In short, it was rainbow weather.

“Ooooh!” I said, scanning the skies through the window, “I bet there’s a rainbow somewhere!”

Our home is situated on a hill, surrounded by trees. It’s lovely for many reasons, but viewing large expanses of sky and/or the horizon isn’t one of them.

“I’m going to drive down to the river to see if there’s a rainbow,” I announced. “Want to come?”

“Sure.”

We grabbed jackets and the keys, and were out the door and into the car within two minutes. Turning left out of our driveway, I kept one eye on the sky. As we approached the end of our road, I exclaimed, “Oh, look! There’s one!”

A huge rainbow was just appearing in the eastern sky. As we drove, it seemed to get brighter and brighter. Within a minute or two we were at the river and quickly parked. We scrambled out of the car to marvel at the rainbow emblazoned across the sky. It was a beauty! I took a few photos, hoping to capture its splendor. Its colorful arc stretched from dark clouds partway across the river, then disappeared into cloud-scattered blue skies. Wow!

Even if you understand the science, rainbows still feel like magic. When you see one, you have to stop and appreciate it. To wonder at it. To watch it glow and then ultimately fade away. It’s such an intense and transient beauty.

You can’t order up a rainbow like you can a taco (nod to Naomi Shihab Nye), but you can notice when conditions are ripe and go looking.

Some people chase tornados, I chase rainbows. I highly recommend it!

16 thoughts on “Chasing Rainbows

  1. What a delightful adventure chasing rainbows! Your enthusiasm and appreciation for the beauty of nature shine through your words, as always, Molly.

    It’s amazing how rainbows have a way of captivating us and evoking a sense of wonder. Your decision to go on a rainbow-hunting expedition led you to witness a magnificent sight, which I’m appreciative you sharing with us as a photo.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. ”I bet there’s a rainbow somewhere!” I have said this, but you chased it! I have to tell you, as I was scrolling down, reading your piece, I had just read “Oh look, there is one!” When your gorgeous photo was revealed- so fun.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I love the idea of chasing rainbows! Favorite line: Even if you understand the science, rainbows still feel like magic. Thanks for sharing and including a photo, too!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. maryleehahn's avatar maryleehahn says:

    Lovely. Naomi made an appearance in my post, too!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Debbie Lynn's avatar Debbie Lynn says:

    This is one of the coolest rainbow pictures I’ve seen in a long time! ’Rainbow chasers,’ I love it! :)

    Liked by 1 person

  6. margaretsmn's avatar margaretsmn says:

    My husband would do that with me, for sure. He always stops if we see one so I can take a picture. Your photo was featured on my blog a few Wednesdays ago. Here are the sweet poems my students wrote about the photo: https://fan.school/article?id=4peUANswzRtzFgmul4JA You have to click on the comment button to see them.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. kd0602's avatar kd0602 says:

    Oh Molly…yes! Chasing rainbows–and what an incredible photo! Rainbow weather, a perfect description.

    Liked by 1 person

    • mbhmaine's avatar mbhmaine says:

      It was pretty cool! There was an amazing one a week or so ago, but I missed the most intense part (no phone or camera!). Still, amazing to see them!

      Like

  8. I can’t get over that rainbow! Here’s one vote to include it in your upcoming coffee table book!

    Liked by 1 person

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