340 replies to this topic

[Starlancer]

I got permission from the wife last night that I can go to this star party. I was looking at the camping available at the pay sites north of the observing area for better shade opportunities and all are full. Do they have any unreserved sites at those campgrounds that I are first come first served? I think I may leave the motorhome at home and tent camp with the SUV for more freedom finding shady areas. With portable power and a fan, I should be good in the heat.

There is a huge tent set up the entire week that during the day is empty (At night it's the meal tent) and anyone could use for some shade.  A pop up canopy works great too, while it's pretty hot the last two years weren't that bad and there is almost always a breeze (nice during the day but not good for scopes blowing around at night)

[Starhunter249]

There is a huge tent set up the entire week that during the day is empty (At night it's the meal tent) and anyone could use for some shade.  A pop up canopy works great too, while it's pretty hot the last two years weren't that bad and there is almost always a breeze (nice during the day but not good for scopes blowing around at night)

I have a canopy I can stake in the ground as well as a tent. The canopy is screened so no bugs should get in.

[Diana N]

Another option is you want shade is to reserve a spot at the next campground over (Boardman), which is about 3 miles from the Snake River campground where NSP is held, and then park in the Early Bird area so when you are done observing for the evening you can drive back to Boardman to nap in the shade.  Boardman has a lot of shady spots.

[Starhunter249]

Another option is you want shade is to reserve a spot at the next campground over (Boardman), which is about 3 miles from the Snake River campground where NSP is held, and then park in the Early Bird area so when you are done observing for the evening you can drive back to Boardman to nap in the shade.  Boardman has a lot of shady spots.

Boardman is 100 percent reserved. Unless they have any first come unreserved sites.

[Diana N]

Boardman is 100 percent reserved. Unless they have any first come unreserved sites.

Only about half the campsites at both Boardman and Cedar Bay (the second closest campground) can be reserved.  The remaining sites are first-come, first-served.  So I'd check to see if Cedar Bay has any sites left that can be reserved, and if not, cross your fingers and see if your luck holds.

[Starhunter249]

Only about half the campsites at both Boardman and Cedar Bay (the second closest campground) can be reserved.  The remaining sites are first-come, first-served.  So I'd check to see if Cedar Bay has any sites left that can be reserved, and if not, cross your fingers and see if your luck holds.

Thats really good news. I’ll come early and see if I get lucky on getting an unreserved site with motor home. If feels kinda weird but I’ll be on the field at night with motorhome and drive back to campsite in the morning to sleep during the day.

[Knasal]

If feels kinda weird but I’ll be on the field at night with motorhome and drive back to campsite in the morning to sleep during the day.

Is there a reason you need the motorhome on the observing field at night?

[Starhunter249]

Is there a reason you need the motorhome on the observing field at night?

It is my vehicle as well. I don't necessarily have to park it on the observing field but it makes for long walks carry scope, mount, and accessories. I do not have a toad or a car dolly to bring along. I thought about putting up a tent for my telescope during the day, then ebike to and from the campground where my motorhome might be at. In the end, if all the campground spots are taken, I will just stay parked on the field sleeping in motorhome during the day, with a fan blowing on me. I am not going to run my generator out of respect to all the light sleepers.

[chvvkumar]

It is my vehicle as well. I don't necessarily have to park it on the observing field but it makes for long walks carry scope, mount, and accessories. I do not have a toad or a car dolly to bring along. I thought about putting up a tent for my telescope during the day, then ebike to and from the campground where my motorhome might be at. In the end, if all the campground spots are taken, I will just stay parked on the field sleeping in motorhome during the day, with a fan blowing on me. I am not going to run my generator out of respect to all the light sleepers.

There are people living on the field for the duration of the event in their RVs and cars. So I think you should be ok to plan on staying on the field.

[Knasal]

It is my vehicle as well. I don't necessarily have to park it on the observing field but it makes for long walks carry scope, mount, and accessories. I do not have a toad or a car dolly to bring along. I thought about putting up a tent for my telescope during the day, then ebike to and from the campground where my motorhome might be at. In the end, if all the campground spots are taken, I will just stay parked on the field sleeping in motorhome during the day, with a fan blowing on me. I am not going to run my generator out of respect to all the light sleepers.

Ok now I understand!

 

As chvvkumar said above, you can park out on the field and you should have plenty of space. Running a generator during the day shouldn’t bother others. I think once you get there you’ll see… These is a lot of room!

 

Kevin

[Diana N]

 I will just stay parked on the field sleeping in motorhome during the day, with a fan blowing on me. I am not going to run my generator out of respect to all the light sleepers.

No one will mind if you run the generator after 12 PM or so, which is when it starts to get really hot.  And if you keep the windows open during the evening, your motorhome won't get too hot in the early morning.  The temperature drops quite a bit out there when the sun goes down!

Edited by Diana N, 14 May 2024 - 06:47 PM.

[Bob W4]

It is my vehicle as well. I don't necessarily have to park it on the observing field but it makes for long walks carry scope, mount, and accessories. I do not have a toad or a car dolly to bring along. I thought about putting up a tent for my telescope during the day, then ebike to and from the campground where my motorhome might be at. In the end, if all the campground spots are taken, I will just stay parked on the field sleeping in motorhome during the day, with a fan blowing on me. I am not going to run my generator out of respect to all the light sleepers.

There is virtually unlimited space to get the motorhome properly set up and leveled.  Do not worry about running the generator during the day.  You are not going to be packed in like anorexic sardines.  Alot of people run generators during the day, and I have never heard of any Karen complaints.  It does cool off as the sun is hitting the horizon.  To get an idea of the available space on the camping/observing field, check out the aerial drone videos on you Tube by Kumar Challa, and the NSP official one.  Also, there are willing folks to give you a ride to the Merritt trading post if needed, and to town for the speakers on wednesday.  Plan on setting up on the observing field for the week and joining the fun!!!

[Starhunter249]

Also bringing my e-bike.  If we have some bad weather, I like to drive up to Valentine and experience a little bit of the cowboy trail. However, I heard it can be a no go with the prickly pears during that time of the year. Flat tires suck fixing on a ebike. I did the the entire Katy trail in Missouri and got two flat tires. Not fun taking the rear tire off.

[rdmarco]

Only about half the campsites at both Boardman and Cedar Bay (the second closest campground) can be reserved.  The remaining sites are first-come, first-served.  So I'd check to see if Cedar Bay has any sites left that can be reserved, and if not, cross your fingers and see if your luck holds.

I only wish this was true. Boardman is always 100% reserved (electrical sites) , even though game and parks says otherwise on the website. I have personal experience with this. It is always occupied by the star party staff and they will shoo you away if you attempt to occupy an unused spot. It's not worth the bother. Merrit is a big area, there is always somewhere to camp. There is more shade available than you think in the snake campground area.

[Starhunter249]

I only wish this was true. Boardman is always 100% reserved (electrical sites) , even though game and parks says otherwise on the website. I have personal experience with this. It is always occupied by the star party staff and they will shoo you away if you attempt to occupy an unused spot. It's not worth the bother. Merrit is a big area, there is always somewhere to camp. There is more shade available than you think in the snake campground area.

I might just bring the suv and my 9 person tent. I will have more freedom to find a shady spot than with the rv. Plus, I save about 600 dollars in gas for the trip. 

[Bob W4]

600 bucks is a good incentative to bring the tent instead of the motorhome.  It is only one week to "rough it".

[Starhunter249]

600 bucks is a good incentative to bring the tent instead of the motorhome.  It is only one week to "rough it".

Agreed.

[Diana N]

I might just bring the suv and my 9 person tent. I will have more freedom to find a shady spot than with the rv. Plus, I save about 600 dollars in gas for the trip.

What some people do is to pitch a tarp over their tent to create their own shade. That can work pretty well as long as a bad storm doesn’t happen.

I don’t remember if you’ve already checked, but Cedar Bay may still have available RV spots that you can reserve, if Boardman is completely booked.

[kfiscus]

Got my motel reservation made in Valentine.  That's a sure sign of summer. 

[Deep13]

Sound I sacrifice a cheeseburger to the clear sky gods now or wait until I get there?

[Starlancer]

I'll join you.  This will be my 4th time there and I think last year was the worst weather out of the others (Though it wasn't hot but rainy and a lot of sucker holes).  First year was the best but I was a noob at that time.  I hope for a good weather year.

 

I kind of wish they did it later in the year for longer nights but from what I understand they can't use the High school since of course school is in session and I don't suppose there are many other places in Valentine for that many people to meet.

[kfiscus]

^^^And the caterers are teachers.^^^

[Bob W4]

I gotta chime in ... I am registered and looking forward with anticipation of the dark skies and good company.

[Phil Young]

I registered a few days ago.  Regarding last year's weather, we had some good nights, but there were thunderstorms on 5 of the 7 nights I camped.  And a fabulous lightning display for 20 minutes during one of those overnight storms.  I will figure out how to sleep in my cargo trailer this year, as I have bent tent poles every time I have camped during Nebraska wind/lightning/thunderstorms.

[Diana N]

Sound I sacrifice a cheeseburger to the clear sky gods now or wait until I get there?

Be safe and do both!