[AZ-Observing] Re: A longggg, strange trip--this weekend
- From: "bobe" <bobe@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2003 14:43:45 -0700
Here's a man that really needs to get a life - Anyone have any suggestions
beyond stamp collecting? :-)
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2003 14:19:52 -0700
>Hello folks;
>Well, I am back at my lovely, air conditioned home and glad to be there. It
>was a weird weekend in a variety of ways. If nothing else, I can't say that
>my life as an observer of the sky is boring......
>
>I woke up on Friday morning and saw nothing but clear skies to the north, so,
>discounting the well-intentioned and knowledgeable weather watchers on this
>list, I packed up my almost new Nexstar 11, stopped at the grocery store and
>headed out of town.
>
>I met up with Matt Luttinen at Carefree Highway (a name that will come back to
>haunt us) and we got two CB radios up and working and started north up I-17
>with the Mormon Mt. get together as our target. Joe Goss caught up with us
>and we had several fun conversations along the way. A stop in the Verde
>Valley for ice and supplies started to show us that the skies to the north
>were looking pretty dark. Driving on with "maybe it will clear" on our lips,
>we finally pulled off at Stoneman Lake and got serious. This huge dark cloud
>was just not the type of weather system that was going to go away.
>
>We decided to return to a more southerly site and started off of Cherry Road
>to a location other than the NASP site. Well, unfortunately, Matt struck a
>rock and gasoline was pouring out of his little Nissan, so we quickly returned
>to the exit and a tow truck was called. It arrived in about an hour and Matt
>rode with the truck back to Phoenix. By now the storm is coming into this
>part of the state and Joe and I decide to move farther south to Dugas Road, an
>old site that the club has quit going to because the road is poorly
>maintained. But, we have few choices at this point.
>
>As we turn off the Dugas road exit, Joe and I discuss the fact that neither of
>us has ever tried the Orme road and so let's explore that way and see what
>happens. As we drive along, Joe and I both are coming to the conclusion that
>there are just no sites here worth exploring. As we chat on the CB's, I hear
>Thad Robisson and Chuck Akers calling my name and we talk for a moment, they
>are heading south to Dugas and we decide to try the old club site at the
>meadow that is 7 miles off the freeway.
>
>It turns out that the road has been graded and is in pretty good condition.
>So, we pull into the site and get near the trees at the south end of the
>meadow. The four of us set up some tables and chairs and have a meal, while
>keeping an eye on the clouds. By now the Sun has set and the clouds to the
>north look even more menacing. At one point in the conversation, Thad says
>"smell that". I say "what?". His response is "rain". As he speaks it the
>unmistakable odor of rainclouds is detected by all and we leap to our feet and
>start folding up and putting away all the gear we so carefully packed a few
>hours ago.
>
>As we make it back to the freeway and the other three (intelligent) people
>turn south to home, bed, warm meal and comfort, I make the decision to go
>north and see if I can get to the other side of this weather mess. The rain
>starts in earnest almost immediately and there is a little hail as I pass
>Sedona. But now, I am at the "nothing is going to stop me" attitude. I get
>to Flagstaff around 10:30 and the rain is still trickling down. I check into
>a small motel just off I-17 and enjoy a nice evening on clean sheets.
>
>The next day is also beset by dark clouds and I decide to get with Brian Skiff
>at Lowell and see if he would like some company for lunch. We meet at the
>observatory and Brian drives to a nifty cafe. We chat about everything from
>weather to telescopes and observing, computer sites and travel destinations.
>After chatting for several hours I bid adieu to Brian, the sky is somewhat
>clearer. So, I start following the directions from Bill Ferris to get to
>MMSS. I AM going to attend, at least for a while. After a pleasant drive
>through the tall pines, I get to the meadow and find about a dozen other folks
>who are intent on observing.
>
>I have a chance to talk with Bill, Brent Archinal, Tom, Jennifer, Lynn
>Blackburn and several other folks whose names I do not remember. After two
>hours or so, and two delicious hot dogs (thanks, Brent), the sky is darkening
>up again and I just don't want to get rained on again. So, I say my farewells
>to the MMSS and make my way south again.
>
>After a while the sky does open up a little and I decide to join the fun at
>the Northern Arizona Star Party at Cherry Road. Again about a dozen or so
>hearty souls are in attendance, Marilyn Unruh, Sam, Glenn Nishimoto and other
>voices in the dark. We observe for a while, but the sky is just never good
>enough to make me comfortable with setting up the scope so I can sleep in the
>back of the Subaru Outback Wagon. However, several other folks have set up
>and there are some views of show pieces to enjoy, even though the night is
>pretty bad. At least it isn't raining.
>
>So, I return to the Verde Valley and check into a hotel for the night. The
>manager is nice enough to extend the 11 AM checkout time so I can get some
>sleep and I do exactly that. After a nice hot shower and a stop at Burger
>King I can now tell you that it is Sunday afternoon at about 4 PM and the sky
>looks quite clear. So, I call my beautiful wife and she informs me that she
>has plenty to do for Monday and if I want to stay and play for another night I
>am welcome to do so. How did I get so lucky?
>
>I make my way back to Cherry Road, set up the Nexstar 11 for the first time
>after driving it all over central Arizona under gloomy skies. I put on the
>solar filter and look at a nice sunspot group, just to say that I observed
>something astronomical! I lay out for a short nap in the back of the car and
>drop off for a half hour or so. Just as the Sun sets, Thad, Chuck and Matt
>pull in and it is nice to know that other people are just as desperate as I am.
>
>The skies are mushy, but at least getting better. As the night progresses
>some clouds move across, but in general things are clear. I spend some time
>in Canes Venatici, Ophichus and Scutum. As much as I enjoy looking through
>the scope, I also really enjoy the Milky Way. After everyone else has left,
>around 1 AM or so, I spend a half an hour just looking up and down Our Galaxy.
> With just our eyes or in the binoculars, there is so much to see. Dark
>lanes, bright star clouds, big, splashy clusters of stars and compressed
>groups; it is all there. We do live in a pretty Universe.
>
>In conclusion, yes, it was worth it. I am the only person to attend both star
>parties this weekend, a record I hope will never be broken. I drove lots of
>miles from Friday to Monday and I only set up my telescope once. But, I had a
>chance to enjoy conversing with lots of astronomers and I did get SOME time
>under Arizona skies. Yes, I did talk about the weather and I DID something
>about it. Just check into a motel and eventually it will clear up. Not
>poetic, but useful, information.
>
>Ok, it is Monday afternoon and I have a 4 PM class to teach, I really need a
>nap. Here's hoping that New Moon June will be more fruitful.
>
>Clear skies (please);
>Steve Coe
>
>
>
>Author "Deep Sky Observing--The Astronomical Tourist"
>Saguaro Astronomy Club website
>www.saguaroastro.org
>
>--
>See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
>send personal replies to the author, not the list.
>
>
--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please
send personal replies to the author, not the list.
Other related posts:
