Yesterday evening, around 6pm or so, a storm rolled through Baltimore, bringing wild winds and heavy rains behind it. The sky became dark with ominous clouds; for as dramatic as this storm made its presence known, within the hour the weather was calm again. Yes there were still some drizzles, but nonetheless things returned to normal.
I was seated inside a neighborhood bar when it happened, celebrating the happy hour I had fantasized about with a beverage and a bite, deep within my thoughts, pen and paper pad at hand, and daydreaming while glancing out the window.
Before the rain let up I knew that I wanted to get a view of the sunset on this night. I had a hunch that the clouds would be all kinds of spectacular, reflecting the most innate hues of the setting sky. I figured the best place to catch this color explosion would be atop the hill of Federal Hill Park. This place offers a unique, almost 360 view and sits across from the inner harbor. I changed into my walking shoes and set out on my journey.
Midway on my walk, I glanced across the harbor and saw a stunning rainbow, bright and a full spectrum of color. I immediately changed direction to get closer, wanting desperately to score the perfect photo; but the closer I got, the more the rainbow faded away, a constant reminder that the sun was indeed setting. I stood for a while and never fumbled for my camera, my trance broken only by the lighting that broke in front of the rainbow. Epic.
Finally, I made it to Federal Hill park, climbing the steep hill as the most direct route to the top. Once up there, I immediately ran into neighbors and friends that I knew. I was home. Together, with strangers smiling and couples nestling, with friends mingling on the benches and others struck with silence, we watched the sky unfold much like an impressionist painting.
I gave into my desire to snap a few photos, but I knew my little camera was no match for the depth and detail that I saw with my own eyes. And perhaps that’s the way it’s supposed to be sometimes, the duplicate never to match the surreal-ness of the original. Low and behold, perhaps the most depth of this night rests in the knowledge that this beauty was brought to us by the most crazy storm.
Jess Watson is the CEO & Creative Director of Points North Studio. She's the co-organizer of Baltimore Womxn in Tech, a big believer in Baltimore city, and a pioneer of working remotely while traveling the globe.
