Telescope Reviews: Sandy Results - SkyShed POD 1, Dock 0

Hi everyone,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those negatively impacted by Sandy.

This is a testament to the durability and fortitude of a POD and it's owner.

John Cook owns a POD from our first year of making them back in '07. John's a fascinating man. An inter-continental L1011 pilot for decades, and currently a World Champion Senior Tri-Athlete. He stops by every year we're at NEAF to say hi and tell us about his latest adventures. I'm pretty sure he's getting close to 80 now.

John lives in CT on an inlet off the Atlantic. What's a little different about his POD is that it sits on a dock at the end of his property. Knowing Sandy was on the way John prepared his POD by removing everything in it except the pier.

He reports that during the storm the waves and water submerged not only the dock, but the POD as well, right up to the dome.

After the storm had passed and waters receded John found that the dock had been damaged/moved and was listing badly. His POD and pier on the other hand were undamaged. This speaks to the durability of POD's design and the material (HDPE) used to create it. It looks to me in the photo like his pier footing with SkyShed Pier on it may have prevented the dock from moving farther.

Luckily the dock was reparable and local work men showed up Friday to repair the damage. By Friday afternoon the dock and POD were ready to put John's gear back in.

CS John!
Wayne
Owner/Designer
SkyShed Observatories