The worst day of camping is still better than your best day at work.
Hi Folks,
I have not seen any reports on Great Basin Astronoomy Festival. Perhaps, because basically it was a wash. So, I figured I would jump into the void regarding my experience there. I arrived Friday morning and grabbed an awesome camp spot at Baker Creek Campground. I got there early because last years astronomy festival was on Labor Day weekend, and it was really crowded. This year I arrived early enough to have the pick of the best campsites. Anyhow, Some friends arrived later in the afternoon. I espoused the great and dark skies ar Great Basin and a buddy of mine brought his family, along with his 6" refractor. We had planned to attend both Friday and Saturday nights' star observing at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center, along with private observing at our campsite. However, the monsoon was kicking into high gear and Friday night was spotty at best. At about 11:00 the clouds parted in the north and east, but after about an hour, the cloud cover returned. Unfortunately, what did appear, only leant to the whetting of our observing appetites, and when the cloud cover returned, I for one, was severely disappointed. We all were disappointed. We hoped for the best for Saturday night, but it was even worse. There was not even a sucker hole on Saturday night to catch a glimpse of a partial constellation. Needless to say, we did not even attempt to go up to the Lehman Caves Visitor Center to observe with the big scopes. All day Saturday, it was cloudy and the cover never really broke, so I am thinking on Saturday night, they did not even bother to get set up. On Saturday, while waiting for the Lehman Caves tour, I happened to see Ranger Kelly and we briefly chatted. He mentioned that Thursday night observing was spectacular. Hearing this was even more disappointing, since I was considering arriving Thursday afternoon. And even if I had done so, my friends who had shown up, would still have missed Thursday nights observing. Oh well... a day late, but at least, not a dollar short. Hey... I'm trying to inject some humor into this post. Anyhow, due to the monsoon, and not wanting to conflict with other national park star festivals, Kelly mentioned that perhaps next year he was thinking of moving the G. Basin Astronomy Festival to June. I suggested September, but he said he wanted to make it available to more folks who were on summer vacation. From my perspective, due to the cloud cover, June seems to be one of the worst months for observing. But this is my experience only from the Salt Lake area. Perhaps at G. Basin, the June observing would be great. Although my friends and I were disappointed, I am sure the folks from SLAS who had made great efforts to bring their scopes and set up for the public were even more disappointed. It truly is a labor of love, and even though I did not get a chance to observe at G. Basin, I just wanted to say thanks to the SLAS members for taking the time and dedication to make such an awesome effort for the public. Last year I had met Steve and Dale out there, and it was a lot of fun. So, thanks guys. Also, a huge thanks to Kelly and Great Basin Nat'l Park for making the accommodations available to have this astronomy festival. It is public funds working for the benefit of all of us. Last of all, I just wanted to say that even though the observing Friday and Saturday nights was a wash, Great Basin is a spectacular place to visit. I am somewhat enamored with the place, as I am with all desert environments. But, it is so much more than just a desert environment. There are many things to do, and one could spend a week there and still only see and experience a fraction of what the Park has to offer. My friends who joined me on this camp trip were also thrilled and blown away by their experience. Visiting Bristlecone Pines that are 3500 years old, and in the same day, visiting Lehman Caves and seeing subterranean structures that took 1.5 million years to form, was exciting and fun. And of course, just the camping experience is worth it all. I am hoping next year will be better for viewing, because I will be back.
Thanks to SLAS, Kelly, and Great Basin Nat'l Park, Jon
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