Bill Jensen
super member
Reged: 10/23/04
Posts: 135
Loc: Springfield VA
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Now that it is the "unofficial" start to summer, I am already checking out flight arrangements and RV rental options for the Oregon Star Party once again. OSP's web site has the online registration now up and running. They also have some forums, in case you want to explore ride sharing, ask questions, or just chat about what OSP has meant to you.
As for me, I am considering flying into Boise this time around, and visiting with some friends before heading to OSP. I wonder if anyone else has come from that direction in the past.
http://www.oregonstarparty.org/index.htm
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Bill Jensen
Springfield VA
Oregon Star Party attendee since 1996
Edited by ~Steph~ (05/28/09 04:49 PM)
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square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 29511
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
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Quote:
As for me, I am considering flying into Boise this time around, and visiting with some friends before heading to OSP. I wonder if anyone else has come from that direction in the past.
I came thru Boise last year on my way to OSP. The star party was the culmination of a trip around the northwest. We hit Craters of the Moon National Monument the day before Boise. We took Hwy 26 from Ontario, OR. thru John Day (beautiful little town). There are back roads of off 26 that will take you down to OSP. The roads were easily passable in my 2-wheel drive Toyota Tacoma. I think just about any passenger car would do fine on those roads.
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Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP/ED80
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
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stevecoe
"Astronomical Tourist"
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2648
Loc: Arizona, USA
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I have sent in a check and asked about being a speaker and then nothing has happened since then. Who to I contact to see if I am all set?
Thanks;
Steve Coe
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TeleVue 102 refractor on CGEM mount
10 inch f/4.7 Newtonian
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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Bill Jensen
super member
Reged: 10/23/04
Posts: 135
Loc: Springfield VA
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Steve, I sent a PM, but the confirmation link is http://www.oregonstarparty.org/reg/confirm.htm
You can verify your registered status there. While I am no longer a committee member, I will shoot a note regarding your offer to be a speaker, and hopefully they will get in touch with you shortly.
Bill
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Bill Jensen
Springfield VA
Oregon Star Party attendee since 1996
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Bill Jensen
super member
Reged: 10/23/04
Posts: 135
Loc: Springfield VA
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Tom, do you recall if the trip from Boise to Indian Trail Spring took more than 6 hours?
I still may end up flying into PDX and driving a rental RV from there. The only RV rental place in Redmond went out of business this year, which is too bad, since flying into Redmond is pretty nice.
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Bill Jensen
Springfield VA
Oregon Star Party attendee since 1996
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stevecoe
"Astronomical Tourist"
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2648
Loc: Arizona, USA
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Thank you, Bill.
I will be driving up from Arizona in my Winnebago. This will be my first really long trip in the RV, anyone have a guess at how many days to plan for the entire trip?
I am considering seeing Crater Lake while making my way north, so I will add in that visit to the total time. I assume that getting on I-5 will be the easiest way. I may go through Nevada for a while and then cut over so I don't have to deal with Southern California.
Any input will be helpful;
Steve Coe
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TeleVue 102 refractor on CGEM mount
10 inch f/4.7 Newtonian
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 29511
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
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Quote:
Tom, do you recall if the trip from Boise to Indian Trail Spring took more than 6 hours?
I don't recall exactly. I'd say the dirt road portion was about an hour. The turnoff was, I think, less than an hour past Dayville. Google says Boise to Dayville is 3:50 drive. So that's putting you pretty close to (maybe a tad under) 6 hours from Boise to OSP.
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Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP/ED80
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
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Bill Jensen
super member
Reged: 10/23/04
Posts: 135
Loc: Springfield VA
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Tom, I appreciate the input. I was concerned that there may be a lot of small town stops. I also have gotten an offer from a private party who may rent an RV from Bend, so now I have options!
Steve, I think Tom Polakis has come up from AZ to OSP in the past, so if you know Tom, perhaps he can provide some tips on that drive. I have previously flown into Oregon, and then rented a vehicle, only the last few years have I upgraded to renting an RV. BTW-the director advised that he thought he responded to you, as well as Howard, the coordinator for speakers. If perhaps there is a communication issue with emails, perhaps you can drop the director a note via the OSP web site. I look forward to hearing your talk. I have previously volunteered at the activities tent. I normally end up where they may need some help. (luckily not cleaning the porta potties).
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Bill Jensen
Springfield VA
Oregon Star Party attendee since 1996
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stevecoe
"Astronomical Tourist"
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2648
Loc: Arizona, USA
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Bill;
Thanks, I will get with Tom. I now have received email from the director and Howard, we are working it all out, so I will have a good route to drive and a presentation to give once I get there;-)
Looking forward to it;
Steve Coe
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TeleVue 102 refractor on CGEM mount
10 inch f/4.7 Newtonian
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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Bill Jensen
super member
Reged: 10/23/04
Posts: 135
Loc: Springfield VA
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Steve, glad things are coming together. BTW-CN was good enough to post my mini review of OSP last year in case you want to learn more.
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1852
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Bill Jensen
Springfield VA
Oregon Star Party attendee since 1996
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janehoustonjones
sage
Reged: 10/21/07
Posts: 408
Loc: 34 N 118 W, 637.0 feet
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My writeup and pictures from 2005. http://www.otastro.org/2005-10-oregon/ OSP is the best large star party (in the northern hemisphere) I've ever been to!
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Jane Houston Jones
NASA What's Up Podcast for November (The Crab Nebula)
New NASA web feature: Hunting Leonids
Latest Blog: A Runaway Star and the Flaming Star Nebula
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stevecoe
"Astronomical Tourist"
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2648
Loc: Arizona, USA
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Hi Jane;
Certainly sounds like you had fun; clear skies and good food, how can you beat that?
Any chance you are going this year?
Nice to hear from you.
Clear skies;
Steve Coe
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TeleVue 102 refractor on CGEM mount
10 inch f/4.7 Newtonian
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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gripweed44
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 952
Loc: PDX
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Hi
I will be there. Who else from CN is going?
John
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John
Omega Centauri is the finest Globular I have seen with my own eyes.
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janehoustonjones
sage
Reged: 10/21/07
Posts: 408
Loc: 34 N 118 W, 637.0 feet
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Quote:
Hi Jane; Certainly sounds like you had fun; clear skies and good food, how can you beat that? Any chance you are going this year? Nice to hear from you. Clear skies;
Steve Coe
Hi Steve, Sorry No OSP this year - we're spending more vacation time with widely spread out family than on taking long astro trips. Lots of weekend Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park, Anza Borrego State Park new moon/third quarter moon trips however. Every month!
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Jane Houston Jones
NASA What's Up Podcast for November (The Crab Nebula)
New NASA web feature: Hunting Leonids
Latest Blog: A Runaway Star and the Flaming Star Nebula
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bbbriggs
member
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 14
Loc: Graham WA
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I just sent in my money a week ago. I love OSP, lots of room to spread out, great skies nice people. I will be there right by the shower truck.
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18" reflector
14.5" reflector
televue ranger
denk II power x 14's and 21's
20x110 binoculars
16x70 binoculars
31,17,9 nagles
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stevecoe
"Astronomical Tourist"
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2648
Loc: Arizona, USA
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bbbriggs;
I will be in my White 30 foot Winnebago camper with a front license plate that says "What's Up", the name of my articles for many years, including here on CN.
Looking forward to it;
Steve Coe
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TeleVue 102 refractor on CGEM mount
10 inch f/4.7 Newtonian
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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Spaced
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/01/05
Posts: 2181
Loc: Tacoma, Washington, USA
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Haven't yet sent in the big bucks, but I expect to attend again this year . . . had to miss last year because of family obligations.
I'm also thinking I might volunteer to volunteer. I did vol. gigs for Wintergrass (Tacoma February bluegrass festival) for 8 or 9 years running, and just had more fun than should be legal.
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Mike
"The spiral light of Venus,
Rising first and shining best . . ."
_____________________________
Webster 14.5" f/4.5 "Sugaree"
Megrez II 80 ED Triplet APO "Punk"
Siebert Black Night BVs
8 X 42 Celestron Regals
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Bill Jensen
super member
Reged: 10/23/04
Posts: 135
Loc: Springfield VA
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Well, I am locked in to attend once again. Got my flight into Redmond, OR. (thank you Priceline for the below market bid on the airfare!)
Sadly, there are no dealers locally left that rent RVs, as the one I used last year has apparently gone away. Only private party locally has one that is 35 foot, Class A, and is frankly too nice to haul up toe Indian Trail Springs, and way too large for one person.
Mike, Jan Keiski will gladly accept your volunteer help. there is a signup link on the website.
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Bill Jensen
Springfield VA
Oregon Star Party attendee since 1996
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stevecoe
"Astronomical Tourist"
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2648
Loc: Arizona, USA
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Bill;
I am in a 30 foot Winnebago Class A. Am making a poor choice driving to the observing site? Photos of previous years show RV's in my size range on the field and folks observing. The description on the web site does not mention that it is a difficult site to get to with an RV. Let me know ASAP, I might want my money back.
Thanks;
Steve Coe
--------------------
TeleVue 102 refractor on CGEM mount
10 inch f/4.7 Newtonian
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 29511
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
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The roads are pretty decent. It's dirt the last 4-5 miles. You shouldn't have any problem if you take it slow.
Table Mountain Rd. is also paved most of the way up. It's maybe 2-3 miles of dirt road at the top. No problem bringing a large RV up there, either.
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Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP/ED80
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
|
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