by Brad Franzella
I had a wonderful time at SSP. Unfortunately I haven't been posting to the group lately, but I enjoy reading many of the wonderful reports and discussions here.
Driving up Wednesday afternoon, I experienced the full brunt of the NorCal furnace, 99 to 36 in Red Bluff, where temps peaked at 117. After stopping for gas, burger and cold soda I finished the trek to SSP around 3pm. The observing site was hot, exasperated astronomers lie stroon about the field, wilting in between a sea of half assembled telescopes. After greeting as many people as I could recognize (and as usual getting a few names wrong), I decided to tackle the gazebo from hell.
The green monster came in about 25 different pieces, reminding me of my childhood erector set. The task of assembling it would have been so much easier had it only been 80 degrees on site. Thanks to Dave and kids for helping me hold it down. Oh, did I forget to mention the wind, which made things even more interesting? Setting up the tent brought back memories of sailing on Monterey bay, minus the enjoyable temperatures.
The scope was removed from the oven (white camper shell on my Toyota pickup) just after sunset. After installing the mirror, I removed the aperture cover and pointed the chimney skyward, hoping to let her settle a bit before darkness fell. Wednesday evening was wonderful. Although being tired from the drive and setup precluded any serious observing, I was able to nail about 30 pieces of eye-candy, learn a couple new ones and chat with my friends and neighbors. I believe I crashed sometime before 3am.
The next day saw an exodus of biblical proportions. Everyone fled the scene when the sun hit the tents. The wonderful folks of the Shingletown Activities Committee had prepared a scrumptious brunch. But I was too eager to desert and head for the park, shower and relax by Manazanita lake. At 5 we swarmed the local pizzeria fighting like wild bores over meager scraps of pizza faster than the oven could produce. Actually, we were more like tired water buffalo, wallowing around the room hoping not to pass out. The pizza was good, but there wasnt enough of it and every time someone turned around, another hungry astronomer appeared sauntering through the door. Good idea, but maybe we should stagger the eating times next year <grin>.
Thursday night saw some good skies mixed in with clouds. Again I resorted to talking more than observing. The annual B.S. circle formed around Marks observing site while hopes for clear skies wayned. I turned in around 1:30am in an attempt to catch a few ZZzzzzs before the baking of the afternoon sun.
Friday provided a good chance to explore the Shingletown area and a wonderful trip to Hat Creek. I started out with a nice cup of fruit, some yummy pancakes from David, and a pass around meteorite show given by Turley. The Hat Creek tour was wonderful. We had a long discussion with the PI of the current research project and one of the staff astronomers. Those that didnt attend really missed out. The research telescopes will be moved at the end of the year down to Owens Valley, making way at HCRO for new smaller scopes that will be used exclusively for SETI.
That evening brought the infamous Karaoke bar-b-q. When sitting down at a nearly full table, the PA called everyone to line up for the bar-b-queue. Leaving myself and one other sitting at one side of a table with smoother pitching motion than most Coulter Dobs well, lets just say that being at the bottom of a heavy picnic table, covered with many alcoholic beverages was an interesting experience. Luckily, I had carpooled with Stacy to the dinner. I would hate to have been pulled over on the way back to the air strip Really officer, I havent had a drop! Anyone manage to catch that on tape? My unlucky folly was soon eclipsed, renouncing its crown as most humorous event of the evening to Marks rendition of Wild Thing sung to a very frightened and embarrassed Mimi who was hauled up by brute force in front of the PA. The food was great, the locals were drunk, and in spite of being pinched on the butt by several 70-year-old women, I had a wonderful time.
Friday night seemed good. Again I was unable to do any serious observing, but had a ton of fun talking, peeking through scopes, finding eye candy and eating real candy.
Saturday morning saw the brunch at the Shingle Shack. Biscuits and Gravy served buffet style with huevos rancheros need I say more? Saturday saw many friends both new and old depart. After checking out a yard sale with Eric, I ended up by the swimming hole looking for a place to cool off. About three I returned to await the bar-b-q and raffle. The yummy steaks were complimented by scrumptious deserts made by the locals. Huddling in the sun amongst 50+ astronomers who hadnt bathed in several days waiting for the group picture to be taken was priceless. The guest speaker was interesting and the public was amazingly well informed, intelligent and interested in astronomy. I even had the Karaoke kids from the previous night stop by my scope. After the public went through, I had some wonderful skies to look at. I enjoyed hunting down Messier Objects I hadnt seen in years with newbies, looking at things in Marks scope I needed averted vision to see, and just relaxing in my cot under the milky way.
Sunday morning I walked around the lake and had a bar-b-q. When I got back the air strip was deserted. Several of us had a great dinner at the Big Wheels (chicken fried steak all the way!). Sunday night saw some of the best skies ever. Unfortunately I had received about 5 hours of combined sleep over the previous 5 days, so I was unable to take full advantage of them. After talking with a few people, I packed up my gear and moved closer to Mark, Marsha and Jim. I broke a sweat packing up my tent, gazebo (!#@#@!@##%%#@), and moving my behemoth telescope. Then it got cold. For the first night at SSP I needed to put on my thermals. The combination of exhaustion, sweat and cold caused me to watch the moon set from my cot, huddled in a sleeping bag. A mistake I would never recover from as I only awoke sporadically to gaze at the unbelievable Milky Way with my eyes for periods of no more than half an hour. I got up and peered through the scope in awe, only to give in to the aches and pains in my body, returning to the warm spot in my sleeping bag, on the cot under the starts. I arose around 5am, too late to say goodbye to Mark or Marsha. Everyone else was fast asleep. I quietly put away my chairs, scope and ate some food before leaving. I left around 6am and returned to my home in Chico at 7:20am. Very satisfied and very tired. I was glad to read Marks post about the skies that night for I thought I was dreaming they seemed so good!
Major thanks to Mark, Jim and the SAC. Shingletown really came together to support this event; I sincerely hope it was profitable and positive for that community. Thank you to all the kind residents who offered the use of their homes or gave information about the area. I hope to see some of you up at Lassen later this summer or out at one of the other observing sites.