Driving back to Owego from Big Flats on Route 17 one night, I was fascinated by the interplay of light and darkness. A large orange moon hung in the sky, sometimes fully revealed and at times obscured by dark clouds. The newly budded trees were a dark blur and the road was lit only by the headlights of approaching vehicles. Trucks sped by, some lit like Christmas trees, others decorated by a series of lights along the top.

Conversely, driving into the dawn on another occasion produced a different aspect of light. The darkness faded and pastel colors appeared. The sun rose and the pastels changed into blue. Sometimes the sky is red, indicating a change in the weather not always for the best.

The road is clear, some vehicles still have their headlights on. The trees which were a dark blur in the night reveal themselves. A different atmosphere prevails, the mystery of night has disappeared and the day beckons to adventure.