oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8806
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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My job requires I submit my vacation request by the 15th of January every year, so I'm planning early for the '06 starparty season. I have 2 commitments I need to make right now those being in Ohio, and Michigan. Cherry Springs at the end of June is tenative right now. I'll travel if need be up to 2 days drive time from Philadelphia. Send me some suggestions. The west coast is also in play if the site is right. I still have 2 and a half weeks of time to plan. 
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Rober E Lee
"It is well that war is terrible-otherwise we would grow to fond of it" Robert E Lee 13Dec1862 Battle of Fredricksburg
Jim
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edwincjones
Close Enough
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 7980
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My favorites are:
Cedar Key Star Party (public SP in a charming little town)
Grand Canyon Star Party (public SP-you can't beat the location)
Okie-Tex (dark skies)
NewMexicoSkies and StarHill Inn--not a star party as such but great locations as astronomy inns with outstanding scopes to rent for the night up to 30".
I am going to TSP this year pending acceptance for the first time.
I do not think any meet your 2 day driving requirement,
Ed
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8806
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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They all may be do-able have to look at a map. I usually do 16 hours of driving in a day so 32 hrs behind the wheel wouldn't be a problem.
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Rober E Lee
"It is well that war is terrible-otherwise we would grow to fond of it" Robert E Lee 13Dec1862 Battle of Fredricksburg
Jim
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 19246
Loc: Brooker, FL
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Check out Georgia Sky View, followed a couple of days later by Mid-South Star Gaze (the website is a bit "outdated") I'm going to both (as I did last year). While the Georgia Sky View is hampered a bit by trees on the horizon, they're not all that much trouble. MSSG '05 had some spectacular viewing, surpassed only by the Nebraska Star Party, in my experience
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N11GPS Fastar//TOA-130S//MK66 Std//AT6RC//Vintage C5//Megrez II 80mm APO//SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II//Sirius EQ-G
Too Many Astro-Cameras//Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Casey and Nelson
Lot 19 Deerlick Astronomy Village (Canis Major)
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
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bierbelly
Postmaster
Reged: 01/23/04
Posts: 6179
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Quote:
My job requires I submit my vacation request by the 15th of January every year, so I'm planning early for the '06 starparty season. I have 2 commitments I need to make right now those being in Ohio, and Michigan. Cherry Springs at the end of June is tenative right now. I'll travel if need be up to 2 days drive time from Philadelphia. Send me some suggestions. The west coast is also in play if the site is right. I still have 2 and a half weeks of time to plan.
If I were you, as to Cherry Springs, I'd hold out for BFSP in the late summer, when Sagittarius is at it's highest. Weather is somewhat more predictable too.
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12" DSH
8" f/4 Vega MakNewt
6" MN66
TV85
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8806
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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BFSP might be a better venue, thats why I have the June date as tentative. Will have to put all the dates on a calendar and see what it looks like.
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Rober E Lee
"It is well that war is terrible-otherwise we would grow to fond of it" Robert E Lee 13Dec1862 Battle of Fredricksburg
Jim
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bierbelly
Postmaster
Reged: 01/23/04
Posts: 6179
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Quote:
BFSP might be a better venue, thats why I have the June date as tentative. Will have to put all the dates on a calendar and see what it looks like.
Now don't hold me accountable for hurricanes. You'll have to keep tabs on "Hurricane" Schwartz!
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12" DSH
8" f/4 Vega MakNewt
6" MN66
TV85
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8806
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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"Hurricane" Schwartz has been wrong more times then right. I'll do my own weather forecasting BB, and be a lot more accurate.
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Rober E Lee
"It is well that war is terrible-otherwise we would grow to fond of it" Robert E Lee 13Dec1862 Battle of Fredricksburg
Jim
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bierbelly
Postmaster
Reged: 01/23/04
Posts: 6179
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Quote:
"Hurricane" Schwartz has been wrong more times then right. I'll do my own weather forecasting BB, and be a lot more accurate.
 Ain't it the truth. Now don't talk bad about Cecily or SAM, though.
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12" DSH
8" f/4 Vega MakNewt
6" MN66
TV85
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8806
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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I prefer Joe Basttardi from accu-weather, he's usually right on.
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Rober E Lee
"It is well that war is terrible-otherwise we would grow to fond of it" Robert E Lee 13Dec1862 Battle of Fredricksburg
Jim
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gripweed44
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 1019
Loc: PDX
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The Oregon Star Party is a great event. Real dark skies, wifi, vendors, dark dark skies, Mel Bartel's walkabout, food, showers, dark skies.
www.oregonstarparty.org
OSP 2006
August 24-27
Cheers
John
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John
Omega Centauri is the finest Globular I have seen with my own eyes.
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 19246
Loc: Brooker, FL
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Quote:
My favorites are:
Cedar Key Star Party (public SP in a charming little town)
I missed this post. Unfortunately, the Cedar Key Star Party (convenient for me, and we have a branch office there) is that the sponsors refuse to reply to email, and that all equipment has to be broken down and removed each night. I'd avoid.
Although it's pushing the two-day drive time, also consider the Nebraska Star Party. It's 7/23-7/28/06. I went last year for the first time, and it's absolutely delightful. Well-run, and with exceptional viewing.
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N11GPS Fastar//TOA-130S//MK66 Std//AT6RC//Vintage C5//Megrez II 80mm APO//SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II//Sirius EQ-G
Too Many Astro-Cameras//Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Casey and Nelson
Lot 19 Deerlick Astronomy Village (Canis Major)
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
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edwincjones
Close Enough
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 7980
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Rusty,
I you are going for really dark skies with big equiptment, I can agree with your above post; but for a low key vacation in a good location with more portable scopes for astronomy, birding, good food-CKSP is great.
Note- The magagement (TomB) has indicated that this will be his last CedarKeyStarParty, and onone yet has come forward to take over.
Ed
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8806
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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Well I've filled part of my starparty schedule. I'll be taking a cooks tour of the US. April will be the Mid-South SP, May is off to Ohio for Sky Tour 2006 to meet some friends. June I may be at Cherry Spring , depends on the weather. July looks like Nebraska Sp unlees another venue closer to home looks good. August depending on the dates could be Michgan for Gig Like a Pig II, or Cherry Springs, or a few others that may pop up on the radar. September will most likely be a small private party in Ohio.
Cedar key looked nice but i dont want to tear equipment down daily and drive back and forth to Ocala. Maybe something at Chiefland sometime during the year.
Rusty if you are going to Mid-South maybe we can meet up there. Wonder if Scott and remy will be attending?
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Rober E Lee
"It is well that war is terrible-otherwise we would grow to fond of it" Robert E Lee 13Dec1862 Battle of Fredricksburg
Jim
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edwincjones
Close Enough
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 7980
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Sounds like a good year for astronomy.
I am planning to go to TSP in April (pending acceptance), to NewMexicoSkies in May with Mr Bill to play with their 30" dob.
Ed
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 19246
Loc: Brooker, FL
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Jim,
Chiefland usually has a members/guests-only 2-3 day star party in April, but I don't know the '06 dates (which could conflict with GA SkyView and MSSG); we could hook up somewhere if you wanted to try that one (I'm only 65 miles from CAV).
I am going to GA SkyView and MSSG '06, as well as NSP '06.
EDIT: The Spring Fling at CAV does in fact conflict with MSSG '06, being slated for 4/28-29/06. CAV Fall Star Party is 11/12-18/06...BTW, Fall Star Party dates are flexible, meaning you can come early (I usually get there Friday or Saturday) and stay late.
Edited by Rusty (12/05/05 10:47 PM)
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oldsalt
Astro Philosopher
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 8806
Loc: Pa - between starparties
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Rusty,
The CAV Fall Star Party looks good. Much easier to place in my schedule. Besides it will be getting rather cool up here by then. Once I firm everything up, we can figure out where we can meet up. Looking forward to meeting you, we can swap sea stories. 
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There are no winners in war, only bigger losers.
"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Rober E Lee
"It is well that war is terrible-otherwise we would grow to fond of it" Robert E Lee 13Dec1862 Battle of Fredricksburg
Jim
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Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 19246
Loc: Brooker, FL
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Great - it'll be nice to swap stories with no lies or exagerrations...
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N11GPS Fastar//TOA-130S//MK66 Std//AT6RC//Vintage C5//Megrez II 80mm APO//SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II//Sirius EQ-G
Too Many Astro-Cameras//Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Casey and Nelson
Lot 19 Deerlick Astronomy Village (Canis Major)
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
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smitty
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/27/04
Posts: 776
Loc: Georgia, USA
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Yeah, right. . . 
And, if I may say this politely, no one will have to use the "head"?
(Jim, you'll enjoy Chiefland. It's a nice getaway from cold weather.)
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Steven "Saratoga Smitty" Smith
10" & 16" Dobsonians
Coronado PST
10x40 & 11x70 "opera glasses"
2 ton eyepiece case
http://www.saratogamuseum.org
Edited by smitty (12/07/05 02:10 AM)
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edwincjones
Close Enough
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 7980
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"2 ton eyepiece case"
sounds about right
Ed
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