Where are YOU going?

[oar]

This is why I love forums like this. I had never considered camping in an RV close to disneyworld (fort wilderness) as djsamuel is planning to do. I could do this when the kids are a bit older.

[admin]

@oar, if you are lucky enough to be close by like @djsamuel you could camp without actually going to any of the parks. Camping at Fort Wilderness is an experience all by itself.

[ammobob]

Well if all goes as planned we are driving from Reno Nevada to SIRV arriving the 15th of June to pick up our custom 21BHS. It's on production line as of 4/17 per Shawn at LL and should come off in 2 weeks. On our way back we are spending 8 nights in Yellowstone and then dropping down to Denver for a few nights to attend a wedding. Then back to Reno. That's the big trip. Have a couple of 3 day trip planned (4th of July and Labor Day weekend) at Little Bear RV park in Graeagle, CA. May hit Lake Tahoe's Camp Richardson once this summer too. 2016 in planning stages but lake Powell and Utah are on our agenda

[dh50]

[quote source="/post/9841/thread" author="@admin" timestamp="1429817788"]@oar, if you are lucky enough to be close by like @djsamuel you could camp without actually going to any of the parks. Camping at Fort Wilderness is an experience all by itself.[/quote]Has little to do with luck or proximity.  We could stay 5 nights at state parks for one at FW.  But then, that was at last year's rate.  Very expensive if you don't work for the Mouse. 

[admin]

@gwbushhog, FW is definitely pricey but it is also an entirely different experience when compared to a state park. FW is more like a resort vs camping and there are times where that is desirable. On the flip side, we tend to do more state parks simply because that is the style we enjoy the most.

[djsamuel]

@oar, if you are lucky enough to be close by like @djsamuel you could camp without actually going to any of the parks. Camping at Fort Wilderness is an experience all by itself.

Exactly.  We go and enjoy the campground.  Sometimes we go into the parks, but often we fish, swim, walk to loops checking out other campers, or just relax under the awning.  It helps that my wife works there, so we get in the park for free and get 50% off the campground.

[djsamuel]

[quote source="/post/9872/thread" timestamp="1429887929" author="@admin"]@gwbushhog, FW is definitely pricey but it is also an entirely different experience when compared to a state park. FW is more like a resort vs camping and there are times where that is desirable. On the flip side, we tend to do more state parks simply because that is the style we enjoy the most.[/quote]Agree 100%. I really enjoy the Florida state parks, as well as the National Parks.  But Fort Wilderness is close and nice, so we go there often.  

[cadman70454]

I rented a 16' TT in Denver to tow to the Rocky Mountain Star Stare (a star party)in Gardner, Co.  It'll be a test to see if I can camp with a TT successfully with limited physical abilities.  The conditions are primitive so I rented a 2000w Honda generator, so we should be pretty comfortable.  At 7650' elevation in June, we shouldn't need the AC.  And if we do, so what, I'm from S. La. where sweating is the national pastime.

I'm excited.  High elevation, clear skies and a big telescope.  It's the next best thing to going into space.

[leslie]

I rented a 16' TT in Denver to tow to the Rocky Mountain Star Stare (a star party)in Gardner, Co.  It'll be a test to see if I can camp with a TT successfully with limited physical abilities.  The conditions are primitive so I rented a 2000w Honda generator, so we should be pretty comfortable.  At 7650' elevation in June, we shouldn't need the AC.  And if we do, so what, I'm from S. La. where sweating is the national pastime.

I'm excited.  High elevation, clear skies and a big telescope.  It's the next best thing to going into space.

I have heard about this star stare party. When is it? Is it held more than once a year? I'm really interested in going to this.

[cadman70454]

You can find a star party near the time of new moon every month around the U.S.

Down here in S. La, there is the Deep South Regional Star Gaze at the end of Oct, depending on new moon date.  There is also the Kisatche Star Party in Kisatche National Forest in March, I think.  Mississippi has the Mid-South Star Gaze in April at French Camp, Ms., on the Natchez Trace.  These are our regional star parties.  There are lots of star parties around, some that are very popular.  There is probably one in your region.

The Texas Star Party is probably the most iconic.  It's in May at the Prude Ranch in Big Bend, Tx.  5000' elevation and very dark skies make for very good telescope viewing.  I think the registration is cut off at 700.  I haven't been to that one but hope to camp in the area and visit the McDonald Observatory.

My best views thru my 16" telescope have been from near Mayhill, NM.  7400' elevation and situated behind a range of mountains that helps strip the air of particulates in the atmosphere (or something like that).

The Rocky Mountain Star Stare is near Gardner, Co. in June.  A local astronomy club owns 35 acres of property at 7650' elevation.  From the photos it looks like a plateau encircled by mountain peaks.  There are scrub trees surrounding an open field with campers and tents spread very loosely around the property.  I've never been there before so I'll let you know what it was like when I get back.  If it's like most star parties, which I suspect it is, it's as much a social event as it is a telescope viewing event.  People with a common interest, sharing that interest with each other.  They show off their instruments in the daytime and compare views thru the eyepiece at night.  One aspect of really dark skies is that there are so many stars visible that it's difficult to pick out the constellations.  They get lost in the star fields.

For those who enjoy mechanical stuff, there is an event in Springfield, Vt called, Stellafane.  It is in early August every year.  It is an amateur telescope maker's convention and star party.  The instruments built by regular people in their home work shops is amazing.  So for all you tinkerers, this is as good or better than a machinist's trade show.  And I stopped at the Hemmings Motor Museum right down the road.

[oar]

16" telescope!  wow.  dobsonian? Stargazing is one reason I want to take the family camping. My oldest, turning 4, loves space.  Has a fascination with it. I try showing him some stars in the city but light pollution is garbage. My plan is to buy the family a telescope to take camping with us to see some cool stuff.

[charliem]

[quote timestamp="1430227860" author="@oar" source="/post/10085/thread"]16" telescope!  wow.  dobsonian?
[/quote][font size="3"]Exactly my reaction when I read his post. No armchair Questar guy, that Cadman. I used to do astronomy when I lived in CO, but then I moved to FL. With the light pollution and high humidity, on a good night I can see exactly 14 stars. That's why I carry 7x50 binos and the SkyGuide iPhone Ap on camping trips. 
[/font]

[cadman70454]

"16" telescope! wow. dobsonian?"

Yes.  It's a Nightsky 16, built by a local telescope builder.  Pretty standard truss dob.  I've upgraded it with digital setting circles and ServoCat.  The ServoCat gives it goto and tracking ability.  Disassembled, the heaviest chunk is the boxes at the bottom with the mirror in it.  It weighs about 80 lbs.  With my RA, I can't push the 80lbs up the ramp into the back of the pickup so I need to rig a block & tackle to get it into the truck.

I get great views of the planets from here at sea level.  However, deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulas) all look like white/gray fuzzballs.  Out west, above 5000' elevation, these things have shape & definition, like B&W photos.

I also have 3" & 4" refractors on EQ mounts for solar viewing and astrophotography.  I have adapters to connect my DSLR to the small scopes and the camera to a laptop.

I started in the hobby with a pair of cheap 7 x 50 binoculars.  I was able to find some galaxies and was hooked.  I have a pair of 10 x 50 Orion Resolute binos and a pair of Canon 12 x 36 IS binos.  The 10 x 50 are reasonably priced and give fantastic views.  They are a bit heavy to hold for me so I built a parralellagram mount so it steadies the views and I don't have to hold the heavy binos.  The Canon binos work well and are lightweight but the views are not as good as the Orions.

And Charlie, I think a Questar (3" or 4" diameter mirror) might cost more than all my equipment combined.  But they are really cute.  I would love to have one as a paperweight or desk ornament.

[cadman70454]

 "My plan is to buy the family a telescope to take camping with us to see some cool stuff."

There are a number of entry level scopes to consider.  For something small, an Astroscan is great for kids.  It's a table top 4" reflector.  Orion makes a 4.5", 6" and 8" dobs that are great bargains.  The 4.5 is small enough for small kids to carry outside but can be outgrown quickly.  I would suggest an Orion 8" dob at around $350.  This scope is big enough for someone to keep and use for a lifetime.  A child would have to be 12 or so to be able to carry it outside so they would need help if younger.  However, the 8" is good for adults also.  As you get bigger than 8", a tube telescope is difficult to handle.

Refractors look cute and have their uses but for viewing bang for the buck, a dob can't be beat.

Here is a website for Orion.  They have a very good guide for buying your first telescope.

http://www.telescope.com/

[jeeps]

[font size="3"]May!!!  The best month to travel!  Next week we're heading back to the land of vast canyons and towering red rocks!  Our favorite town, Moab, UT, maybe Bryce Canyon, then Mesa Verde, and explore Chaco Canyon and more ancient ruins.  We love this indescribable area and its visual contrast to our own lush green Oregon.  Husband is bringing his telescope and camera so let's hope for cloudless dark skies and bright stars!  [/font]