I stood on the deck and looked to the sky. Millions of twinkling stars shone down. What a beautiful night.

I could smell a wood fire and hear a coyote in the distance. The stars were bright. There were no streetlamps to pollute the darkness and no car exhaust to pollute the air. I live within the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve.

The sights, the smells and the sounds of the night were amazing. I don't have to go far from home to appreciate this beauty. I just have to step out the back door. 

As I watched the sky in wonder and listened to the lonely coyote howl, I heard the deer filing into the yard. It was a perfect ending to a 15 minute fresh air break.