Shared by Sammy Zambon, as Guest Blogger.

I love to camp, but when I do, I’m up before the sun. There is just something about a sunrise that draws me from my tent.

When I get to a Virginia State Park I like to scout out spots to watch the dawn. I look for places close to the campground whether that’s a boardwalk to the beach, an open field, or an overlook that faces east. As I turn in for the night, I dream of the dawn to come.

There's magic in the quiet moments of dawn at Virginia State Parks

The eastern sky is just starting to blush with color. False dawn provides enough light that I don’t need one of my own. Slipping out of my tent I can smell the wood smoke from last night’s fire. I can smell the dew on the air. The earliest birds have just begun the dawn chorus. I know that soon others will join them. The gravel of the road crunches under my feet. Softly I tread so as not to wake anyone else. 

Soon I arrive at my spot. I’m not the only one up, I might share this dawn with a jogger on the beach or a doe and fawn in the field. The nice thing is that the sunrise is no less mine for sharing it. I settle in for the show. As I watch the colors change from purple to pink to orange, I feel my body relax. My breathing slows. My eyes are caught by movement around me, a crab bolting for its hole, wind caressing the grasses, or cooters swimming across the surface of the lake. The sunrise brings with it certain gifts.

1. Each one is different. No matter how many I watch from the same spot each one has its own beauty.

2. The full spectrum of colors. I never knew there were so many shades of purple, pink, and orange. How they blend and change are a joy to watch.

3. More animals are active at dawn and dusk than in the middle of the day. I almost always bring my camera.

4. Fewer people are up. Sunrise is a chance for me to grab some much-needed solitude.

5. Being in the moment brings me a deep sense of gratitude. I’m grateful for everything that brought me to this moment.

6. Perhaps the greatest gift of the dawn is hope. The promise of a new day and the adventures that come with.

As the glowing disk of the sun clears the horizon I return to my camp. It’s time to fire up the camp stove, time for breakfast and a cup of tea.

Each dawn is different and each only happens once. I look forward to the next one and I hope that somewhere out there you are sharing it with me and dreaming of all the things the new day will bring.

Where will you catch your next sunrise?