by Evan Garber
Well after three years trying to find the time to get down to RTMC I made it - drove the 9.5 hours down from Sonoma and spent Thursday night in a motel in Big Bear City (Had a great dinner there too.) One of my intenitons was to finally meet some of the TAC people who I have gotten to know only through reading the TAC email each day. (I observe infrequntly at Lake Sonoma.)
The next morning early went down to wait in line and found myself over 120 deep on line and not even near the entryway. However, made a number of friends in line many who have been coming to RTMC for over 20 years. Amazing dedication.
Drove in and found a spot, after getting a bit lost, in the grassy area near the lake This turned out well for meeting fellow amateurs but not so good with respect to headlights - I was disappointed at the number of people disrespecting the headlights rules way into the night (as late as 2 AM). I spent the day talking tovendors - A gt-one taht I had returned to Anacrotes was on display and had been both fixed and improved considerable - to the point I was considering repurchasing it. I hope all who attended had a chance to talk with Larry at Mountain Optics. I have one of his mounts and it is superb, to say the least.
The skies were not as dark as I expected with noticeable sky glow from LA and from the East - also it had been windy most of the day up until around 10:30 when it died down - this kicked up noticeable dust (There were orange horizons at sunset) the seeing improved after 12 but clouds came in after 2:30. - but it was warm and there was much to see during the night as well as some education as to how to handle some problems I had with my 18" Obsession for two other Obsession owners a few feet from me. One guy had a 30 inch Dob which gave some great views.
The next morning I rambled around and bought a few things at the swap meet. (Got a good buy on a set of Tectron collimation tools).My time at RTMC was cut short at that point as when I returned to my camp an RTMC guy came out of the building across fromt he Grassy area yelling my name and that my wife was in labor. To say the least - I was in shock.
She was traveling back to Marin General hospital with my brother in law and wife (a doctor and nurse) from Tahoe. (She was a month early - that was why I felt it was safe to go down for the weekend.)
With the help of some new made friends I packed up my scopes and camp and was out and on the road to the hospital in less than 20 minutes - 8.5 hours later I arrived - she had not yet given birth. When Russell Edward Garber did arrive he had to be placed in intensive care - he had an infection and a problem with his lungs which after some fretful days has finally cleared up and he is fine.
I now hope to meet the TAC'os at Lassen - My wife insists that I go! (The trip happens to overlap my birthday in July.)