Hawaii

by Mark Wagner

Thanks Tony... it was a fine trip. Some, but not a lot of astronomy due to clouds. Observed with a 10" Dob in the yard at the home I was staying at in the hills above Kona. 20 degrees N lat is nice, Southern Cross was up before sunrise, Orion way overhead. Also observed with some members of WACO (a club on the west side of the island) and some locals from Hilo at their public star party at the Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani Bay - fun time! Dark enough to see tendrils in the Crab using the 10" and 13 Nagler.

The most fun by far was getting out on the lava trails in the 4WD Jeep... to limited access green and black sand snorkel beaches. Also through rain forest so thick the trails were barely wide enough to drive through, including the top of the vehicle. There are some amazing trails there! Too bad I had to come back, it was in the 80's every day... gorgeous sunsets...

Red-eye flight back arrived here at 8 this morning. I'm beat, but have a good caffeine buzz that'll keep me going until I hit the wall...

Posted on sf-bay-tac Dec 29, 2005 10:26:00 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Mar 16, 2006 23:01:59 PT