The midnight sun cast a surreal glow over the landscape from "summary" of Travels in Alaska by John Muir
The long, white nights of the Alaskan summer are strangely fascinating. The sun, instead of sinking below the horizon, wheels slowly around, dipping just out of sight, and then rising again, lingering long on the edge of the world as if to show that it can go lower if it wants to. The colors of the sunset deepen and fade, but darkness never comes. The glow of the sun on the horizon throws a weird shadowless light over the landscape, making everything stand out with startling distinctness. Mountains that might appear commonplace by day are now transformed into grandeur, their rugged outlines etched against the sky. Valleys and glaciers and forests are bathed in this unearthly radiance, and seem like the scenery of dreams. The effect of this constant light on the mind is strange as well. It is hard to realize that it is really night, and that other parts of the world are in darkness. The sense of time is lost, and one feels as if caught in a spell, where the normal rules of day and night no longer apply. The mind becomes confused, and it is easy to forget the passage of hours. One might be tempted to stay up all night, drinking in the beauty of the scene, and never feel the need for sleep. For those who love the outdoors, these long nights are a gift. There is no need to hurry back to camp or to seek shelter from the night. The world is open and inviting, and one can wander wherever the fancy takes them. The landscape, in this unearthly light, takes on a new aspect, becoming almost mystical in its beauty. Rocks and trees seem to whisper secrets, and the wind carries strange melodies. The mind is filled with wonder and awe, and it is easy to believe that one is walking in a world that is not quite real. As the night wears on, the light changes, becoming softer and more ethereal. Shadows lengthen and merge, and the landscape takes on a ghostly aspect. It is as if the world has slipped into another dimension, where the rules of physics no longer apply. Everything seems to shimmer and fade, as if on the edge of disappearing. The mind, caught in this strange half-light, is filled with a sense of unreality, as if walking in a dream. The midnight sun, with its surreal glow, casts a spell over the landscape, transforming it into a place of magic and wonder. It is an experience that stays
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