Sunset by Fire

I watched the sunset this evening while stuck in traffic.

The sky turned a brilliant shade of orange and enveloped every cloud in its path with its changing colors. The sun slowly disappeared behind the concrete wonder of Home Depot and made the staple orange trim of the store emit an electric glow.

My plan for the evening (spur-of-the-moment, mind you) was to head to the picturesque shores of Ko'Olina, sprawl out on the sandy shores of the Pacific, and watch the sun tuck itself in behind the mountains.

Obviously my plan didn't work out so well.

I hopped in my car, as planned, but was met at the bottom of the hill with one gigantic traffic jam. The highway was closed due to a brushfire a mile down and police were redirecting traffic through town.

I pondered turning around and going home, but due to my lack of time restraints (except for the key one of missing the sunset from the beach) and the fact that I would be stuck in traffic regardless of the direction I was traveling in, I continued on.

The air was filled with the smell of ash and the sounds of sirens could be heard rushing to the scene as we all slowly moved inch by inch closer to our final destinations. It was here, that I was fortunate enough to watch the sun set - even if my surroundings were not what I had hoped, the sight was still spectacular.

As I turned the corner next to Outback Steakhouse, the sky opposite the setting sun was illuminated by a full, magnificently colored rainbow. On my left was a rainbow and to my right, the sun setting over the smoldering wildfire. Ahhhh...

Traffic moved closer to the fires and I observed a firefighter emerge from the ash below, his yellow uniform barely visible beneath the layers of soot. He wiped his brow and stood to observe the now blackened fields below.

The fire had burned a rather large patch of land between the highway and Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park - just a few miles from my Hawaiian home. Firetrucks were scattered along the perimeter of the dark field, spraying water over the embers as they continued to glow.

I had finally entered the freeway just as the sun made its final resting spot below the mountains. The remnants of the sunset remained while I continued my drive to Ko'Olina. I parked at lagoon number three, popped out of the car, and briskly glided to the beach.

A few people were scattered about and I claimed a cushy hotel lounge, sprawled out, kicked off my slippahs, and watched the finale of the nature show before me. Twilight swept across the waves and the water sparkled like diamonds. The night air brushed over my shoulders and I let it envelope my body as I took in every tiny detail of the sight before me.

Every day I must remind myself that this place, this paradise, is my home...for the summer at least.