FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Vekol Rd--A Night to Remember

["Mike Mello" <mmello@xxxxxxx>]

Well Frank, good to hear you had an eventful evening and that you lived to 
tell about it...Sorry I missed all the fun but I was home setting up my new 
12.5" Spooner/Plettsone Dob which wasn't quite ready for a road trip.. 
Between the snake and the border patrol you really did have a night to 
remember. This year I have observed regularly at Vekol. Even in July I 
managed to sneak one Friday evening in before Monsoons arrived. The monsoon 
season was relatively benign this year and we were out again in August for 2 
weekends.. Most nights things are fine.. In the course of my travels I have 
not yet encountered a rattle snake although others certainly have and I have 
heard stories like this before. It's usually the folks who set up near the 
east to north east  perimeter that encounter the snakes. At least that has 
been my experience. At any rate, I'm glad you were able to put your 
"Crocodile Hunter" skills to work. Can't say I would have done the same..:)

We have encountered vehicles that proceed with headlights off along the side 
road can and these can bring on some anxious moments. There can't be much 
constructive activity going on there.. There is always speculation about 
whether it's illegal alien traffic or drug traffic. I suppose the answer is 
both.. There have been many nights as well where not a single car came up or 
down the side road and very often the only vehicles up and down are the 
border patrol.  I too have been stopped before on my way out. The police 
and/or border patrol are usually professional about it although I certainly 
agree that it can be unnerving..

What can I say, Vekol may not for the faint of heart but the observing 
rewards can be great..:) I'm not ready to give up on it just yet.. Hope to 
see you at All AZ.

-Mike



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