It’s not as if there haven’t been enough sunset stories published over the years. Shit, their numbers probably run in the tens of millions. Nevertheless, I’m unashamedly adding to the mega-glut right now. And why not? Sunsets can be spellbinding. We watch primo ones quietly, maybe even reverentially, giving them the respect that they deserve.
From my experience, clouds, more than anything, are what make or break sunsets. Our friend the Sun, when setting, needs clouds to absorb, reflect and refract its light. To make things interesting, in other words. But not too many clouds, as the Sun ain’t got a chance when sheets of clouds abound. As for cloudless skies, well, they are canvases upon which sunsets do not rise above the meh level. When the white-hot fire ball heads downward on a cloudless day, the color and pattern possibilities for the upcoming sunset are limited.
And then there’s location. Needless to say, it counts for plenty when it comes to sunsets. If you’re in the middle of Manhattan, for instance, where tall buildings thrive, you are barely going to be able to see sunsets, whatever their quality, let alone appreciate them. On the other hand, if Cape Cod Bay is nearby, as it was recently for me and my wife Sandy, you’re f*cking golden.
Cape Cod Bay, enormous and fed by the Atlantic Ocean, abuts the northern coast of Cape Cod, a lengthy peninsula that’s part of Massachusetts, USA. We were on the Cape, vacationing our asses off, for a two-and-a-half week stretch that ran from mid-October to early November. During the trip, among a host of activities, we walked and hung out on four of the numerous public beaches along the bay. Over the years we’ve been on quite a few of the Cape’s other bayside beaches too, and have yet to be disappointed. The sands are clean, and masses of seagrasses are plentiful in many sections close to shore. And the waters themselves are inspiring, partly because of their vastness. Staring out at the bay, to me, sometimes seems like staring into infinity.
Our vantage point for the first of the two great sunsets we saw on the Cape this year was First Encounter Beach, in the township of Eastham. It’s one of my favorite Cape Cod Bay beaches, possibly my top pick, though the competition is stiff. There we were on a comfortable mid-afternoon, admiring our kite as it did its carefree thing way overhead. The bay’s waters had receded profoundly, leaving many acres of mudflats in their wake. Great beauty surrounded us, and we knew it.
After reeling in the kite, we took a stroll upon the sands. Then we made our way back to our car, contemplating dinner. But it wasn’t dinnertime just yet, and sunset was scheduled to take place in about 20 minutes. So, we decided to stay, a wise decision, for we soon witnessed a sunset that we are unlikely to forget. At its beginning, and made possible by well-positioned clouds, bands and assorted streaks of oranges, golds and greys filled the western sky’s lower regions prodigiously. The greys took a back seat after a while, allowing the brighter colors to go wild. The darkening sky, at that point, was absolutely aflame. What a sight!
The second excellent sunset arrived a week and a half later at the bayside swath of territory known as Corn Hill Beach. It’s located in the township of Truro, which is far out on the Cape and, unlike Cape Cod’s 14 other townships, totally rural.
I’ve been a big fan of Corn Hill Beach since discovering it around 15 years ago. Like First Encounter Beach, it faces due west, perfect for sunset-watching. What’s more, the views from Corn Hill Beach, when you look seaward, are wide and unobstructed. A wonderful place.
Both Sandy and I agree that, as far as we can remember, we’ve never seen a sunset such as the one at Corn Hill Beach. The sunset appeared to be foggy and misty, despite the fact that nowhere else, in any direction, was fog or mist visible. Light on its feet, the sunset was the ideal partner for the bay waters moving gently beneath it.
We absorbed the sunset and its surroundings for 20 minutes, then returned, a bit downcast, to Corn Hill Beach’s parking lot. For we were fully aware of what we’d be losing soon. The natural world in all its glory is readily available on Cape Cod. Alas, back home in the grossly overdeveloped suburbs of Philadelphia, where we’d be in 48 hours, such is not even remotely the case.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
I guess at Cape Cod you can see both sunrises and sunsets, if you pick the right beach.
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Hi. The best sunset views are from beaches on Cape Cod Bay. The best sunrise views are from the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.
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you’re doing it tough, Neil, but you still manage to eloquently describe some gorgeous sunsets and photograph them all as well; it’s sad when you have to say goodbye —
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Howdy, John. I haven’t wanted to go on walks in my area since getting home from the vacation, because it just doesn’t compare at all with the beauty of Cape Cod.
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I understand that, Neil; coastal areas are special places; I do my best walks along beaches too —
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You can never have too many sunsets or sunrises
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I’m up early enough on many mornings to go out and see sunrises. But I’m too lazy to get out of the house at that hour!
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I know what you mean
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Thank you so much for such a treat in the morning! Fabulous photos!
Unforgettable, a big thank you again. Also, you write beautifully about nature!
Joanna
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Thanks, Joanna. You’ve made me feel good!
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You are more than welcome!
Joanna
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Those are indeed very lovely sunsets and I like your descriptions. It’s funny how beauty is enhanced by imperfection. Our most beautiful sunsets come courtesy of volcanic eruption pollution or water vapor diffusion.
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Hi. I wonder if climate change will have or already has had effects on the appearance of sunrises and sunsets.
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I’m guessing yes. However there have been some volcanic events during the past few years that might be masking the overall effects.
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Lovely photos from lovely places!
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Mucho gracias.
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Fantastic photos!!! Love your Cape posts!
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Thanks, Joyce. I know that you’re sorry about not having visited CC this year.
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Glorious, absolutely glorious. Did you hear angels singing? 😉
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Well, something like that!
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We have often commented that we would hate to live where the sea was not within easy striking distance; it has been part of our lives since childhood, somewhere to swim, play, walk, loll about and enjoy sunrises and sunsets so I can understand fully your enjoyment of the beaches on Cape Cod. Do you swim? The “township of Truro” caught my eye – and uncommon and unusual name and the name of a town in the county of Cornwall in south-west England.
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The Truro on Cape Cod is beautiful. I bet that the same is true for the Truro in England.
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Yes, it is a particularly beautiful part of the country and especially good for gardens, the reason we visited.
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Those were glorious sunsets…the first one made me look back to when we lived near the sea in an area of mudflats and creeks.
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Mudflats are much more prominent along certain Cape Cod Bay shorelines than along others. I’ve never known why. In any case, I get a kick out of walking on mudflats. They’re pretty cool.
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Great photos!
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Thanks, Debra.
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Beautiful Neil!
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Thanks. I appreciate it.
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You took some beautiful shots, Neil, especially the first two I’d hang on the wall.
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Hi. It would have been near-impossible not to take good photos of those sunsets!
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I get that, it’s like me and portraits.
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Just kidding
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Beautiful, Neil! I spent all my summers from ages 1-20 on the Cape (Woods Hole as a child and then Falmouth, where I worked in summer theatre) and the sunsets were indeed breathtaking. I now live in Oregon, where our coastal house affords daily views of sea and sky. There’s nothing like the smell, sound, and sight of the ocean, ahhhh 🙂
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Hi. You’re right — oceans are the greatest. I didn’t start developing a love of the ocean till Sandy and I started going to Cape Cod. Better late than never!
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I didn’t realize any of Cape Cod was totally rural. I’m glad you stayed for the sunset. Like you we live in suburbia so don’t see the whole show. Or only see it when kind people share their photos.
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Hey, Ally. Parts of CC are very sea-side-y, and lots of vacationers go to those sections. Truro, though, is pretty undeveloped. There’s no true village area, and its population is small.
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Sunsets nicely captured. That second photo is a stunner!
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Many thanks.
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Beautiful photos, Neil! I also live in an urban area where I can’t get a good view of a sunset without driving some distance. It’s frustrating sometimes, but I think of it like this: If I lived on a beach where I had a perfect view of the sunset every night, I believe I’d start taking it for granted. I think we appreciate some things more because we don’t have them all the time — think about rainbows or the beauty of fall foliage on trees.
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I agree. When we don’t have certain things available all the time, we look forward to when they will be available again.
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Very true Neil !😪
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I don’t think there’s anything better than seeing a sunset on a beach. When I’m there, I am awed and just a little bit sad that I can’t be there every day to catch the magic. Like you, I eventually have to return to the city where I can only imagine the sun setting elsewhere.
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Hi, Sandy. What’s also neat is that sunsets draw a crowd at certain beaches. On Cape Cod, anyway. Many of these folks probably don’t go out to see movies or to hear music. But they go to watch sunsets, which is a cool thing to do.
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I do like sunsets, but wish I could feel what you do. Maybe like that first sip of coffee? Overwhelming?
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Hi. On Cape Cod I saw a total of four sunsets. At home, where the views are obstructed by trees and houses, I look at six or so per year. So, I don’t really see all that many. If I watched too many, I’d lose interest!
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Why not, indeed? They are beautiful!
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I was in the right place at the right time.
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Beautiful pictures Neil. Every sunset is special, no matter how many you’ve seen or photographed or written about, and I’m glad to read your unique take on it.
You keep moving Cape Cod up my list of places to return to one day! 😀
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You’d have a great week, or however many days, there. See ya!
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Sunsets to remember! Beautiful, Neil. How can we humans ever compete with such a glorious show of Earth’s life-giving star?
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The universe is incomprehensibly amazing. I was going to write more than that, but I think I’ll leave it at that.
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I agree about sunsets. They are always wonderful. Please post as many photos as you would like – they are beautiful pictures!
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Thanks. There’s probably a pretty good chance that I’ll work a sunset or two into one of my stories next year.
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It’s got to be hard to walk away from those sunsets! But the upside is, they are a big part of what makes you love the Cape so much…and you know you’ll see them again.
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Yeah, the availability of the natural world is what I like best about Cape Cod.
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From our Ontario home, we see the sunrise; here in Florida, the sunset. Both can be glorious, as your pictures attest. And walking the beach is restorative, as your words aptly convey.
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“Restorative” is the right word. I could use a beach walk right now. But I’m back home, and the nearest beach is probably 70 miles away! Maybe farther than that.
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You can never tire of a beautiful sunset as just a little bit different every time. I’m really chuffed with the pictures I’ve taken recently too.
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We need to watch a good sunset once in a while. It’s a healthy thing to do!
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You’re selling Cape Cod for sure! Sunset looks marvellous from your photos
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Hi. Thanks for stopping by. I’ve given a lot of publicity to Cape Cod over the years!
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Hard to choose between the two (and I suppose I don’t have to) but if pushed I’d take the Corn Hill Beach sunset. You sold me on “rural” and “west-facing”, and the concentration of fog and colors on the horizon is mesmerizing.
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Hi. I’m at my volunteer job in the Philly burbs right now. I like the job. But I’d prefer to be on Corn Hill Beach instead!
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Great photos! I agree, clouds can make or break a sunset. There’s something incredible about a fiery sunset reflected in the clouds. Thanks for sharing.
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Clouds are cool!
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Agreed
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This sunset is beautiful
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Spectacular photos and super accompanying narrative. I enjoyed your description of the impact of clouds and location.
I have in my phone a photo of a Martha’s Vineyard sunset that I took several years ago. For reasons of its own, my iPhone set it to music and showcases it several times a day. I don’t mind one whit.
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Your iPhone is doing its best to please you!
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What an amazing descriptive analysis. Your images and words are very intense. With this share Neil, I am seeing another side of you, which is, a truly deep love for nature. 💕
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Thanks! I appreciate what you say.
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You certainly have deepened my appreciation for the Cape. It’s more complex–and in some ways more simple– than I realized. Having a spot to see sunsets like this is a real gift. If I could make myself do it, I could get some similar views in Galveston and the barrier islands down that way, but the thirty mile drive back home in the dark is just a bit of an issue for me now. No matter; your photos provide pleasure enough.
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Evening. I know what you mean about driving at night. There’s a lot of aggressive, impatient drivers out there, and being on the same roads as them is worse at night than it is in daylight.
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I absolutely love sunsets, Neil. They stir the soul. Your pictures of the Cape Cod sunsets are breathtaking. I can see how you love it there.
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Right, it’s the kind if beauty that’s in limited supply where I live.
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Ocean vistas are ones that I could never tire of Neil.
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Ditto!
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Fantastic pics! It almost inspires me to drag my sorry ass (as I understand you Statesiders put it) out of bed and take a sunrise picture soon – one advantage of staying this far north is it beedn’t be super early to do so at this time of year!
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Go for it!
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This blog allows you to express your emotion, for instance,in front of a sunset.
In friendship
Michel
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That’s true. Merci, Michel.
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And I read it again with as much emotion.
Michel
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Wonderful. Two veritable slices of heaven. I love the idea you were “vacationing your asses off”.
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Hi. It was a fine vacation. I’m thinking about it fondly right now.
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Gorgeous photos, I feel many sunsets better. Do you know the Cloud Appreciation Society? Wonderful veddy veddy British-HQ’d biz that sends the Cloud of the Day into my computer to start every morning.
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Morning. I’d never heard of the Cloud Appreciation Society before. I took a look at their website a minute ago. Excellent!
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Absolutely beautiful snaps here, Neil. Such gorgeous sunsets in what looks like a real heaven of a place. – Marty
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Thanks, Marty. Take care. Neil
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Wonderful photos! I can never get enough of sunsets – or sunset pictures for that matter… One is always different from the other and it’s also a different experience depending on the landscape and surroundings.
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Each sunset and sunrise is an abstract painting in flux. Hi. Thanks for adding your thoughts. See ya!
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Wow this is a detailed blog post about the sun and I love the way you are describing the features of the sun and its needs such as reflecting and refracting its light as well as the visibility of clouds that can make or break the sunset/ sky🔥🔥🙌
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Hi. Thanks very much for adding your thoughts. Sunsets often rock!
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Thank you for spurring me to think more deeply about sunsets. I had not given thought to the fact that clouds are so important in making them more impressive. I will probably think of you the next time I am admire a sunset. 🙂 And thanks for sharing your pictures – they were entirely lovely.
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Linda, I nominate you for membership in The Sunset Appreciation Society!
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I always welcome a sunset post. Such moving photos – thanks for
posting it and letting us have the vibe of what it feels like to watch such a stunning and
calming experience of watching the sun go down at Cape Cod Bay. We are truly blessed with this beautiful earth.
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We live on an amazing planet.
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Growing up along Lake Michigan, we annually vacationed at a resort about 90 miles up the lake for ten years. After dinner every night, fifty or so guests gathered on a porch to watch the sun set over the lake. Even as a kid of 5 and 6, I knew it was spectacularly beautiful. It never occurred to me until I went off to college that not everyone lives on a big lake or ocean, LOL.
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You know, I’m reading a book of stories right now by Isaac Asimov. One of the stories is titled, believe it or not, Sunset On The Water.
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Lovely photos
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Beautiful sunset and images Neil. I can see why you wouldn’t want to leave. You made a great story of your visiit
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Hi. Parts of Cape Cod are truly beautiful. I miss them!
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I visited once many years ago. I don’t remember details, but it was a nice setting.
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Thanks for this one – brought back memories of that wonderful sunset on Chapin Beach, where the tide goes out forever, from last year.
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Hey, Ruth. Right, Chapin Beach is a good one. I like that beach a lot too. Take care —
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Gorgeous, Neil. Did you know that you can safely watch the sunset while it is touching the horizon? You don’t get those blind spots in your eyes After it separates then it becomes unsafe to stare at the sun. But while it’s touching, it’s a glorious sight! Happy Thanksgiving! I’m grateful for sunsets and the inevitable sunrises that follow.
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We’d be in trouble without the Sun. In fact, we wouldn’t be here!
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😂😊😘
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