Dale Hooper wrote:

When we go back to the moon in 2018, I'll be a spry 58 years old - so I should certainly live long enough to make the journey myself. <g> So, I was curious what it would take if I plop my Meade LX-200 out on the lunar surface and want to observe?

Why would you want to settle for such a small scope? On the moon, you ought to be able to heft a 30" dob with little problem, even at 58. :) Aaron