Night Light

An Apostle Islands party light

Ok, I probably shouldn’t even mention it. No one would be the wiser if I just kept quiet, said nothing, keeping this silly little extravagance to myself. But here goes.

I keep a little party light on the Little Dipper.

It is a Luci Light to be specific - an inflatable light about the size of a large soup can and solar powered so that I never have to worry about batteries. Just blow into it to inflate it, push the button, and it is instant light. I often leave it shining in the boat when I get off to swim into a sea cave in the dark or stop at a beach or dock to hike to a place to set up the tripod up for a photo I’ve been envisioning. A beacon to guide me back aboard when I return.

Here’s the thing though: it isn’t just a regular white light. The last setting on this particular Luci Light sets it not to a solid single color but to scrolling through a dance hall of different shades, a kind of silent party light.

It may seem silly but it brings me comfort. Often, deep in the depths of the night, a bit of fear wells up within me when I am out of sight of the boat, alone on an island in the dark, cold and tired. Rounding a point on my swim or coming around a curve in the trail to see that light shining aboard the Little Dipper is comforting as a night light welcoming me home. The mere sight of it enough to put a bit of spring back in my step for I know I am close to dry clothes, warm coffee, and a way home to bed.

And there’s something else: seeing my party light flashing through its repertoire of orange and purple and green and blue way out in the islands like some kind of wayward disco ball, well, it just always makes me smile.

— Jeff Rennicke (all photography by the author unless otherwise noted).