North Central Pennsylvania

Cherry Springs Star Party Jun 22-25

Black Forest Star Party Aug 25-27

There're these lists:

http://www.astronomy.com/asy/community/events/events.asp?cat=7
and
http://chartmarker.tripod.com/starparty.htm

Surely other folks have money-pit hobbies other than maintaining their Barths and spanking Dave...


Mine are G-gage model railroading and eletric airplanes and helicopters...

Sat. MAY 6 2006 National Astronomy Day JKB

quote:

Originally posted by SLOOP JOHN B:
Sat. MAY 6 2006 National Astronomy Day JKB

To garner full benefit from Astronomy Day, one should corral his/her local stargazer and take him/her to lunch and ply same with adult beverages...

Seriously, the problem with Astronomy Day is that most of the activities are in the daytime, so folks don't get a chance to observe through decent scopes.

Saturn is up nicely right now, and the "WOW!" factor on a good night is "10". Jupiter rises enough to be a good view around 11 PM local.

There are deep space objects (DSOs), a/k/a "faint fuzzies", observable now as well, including the Great [globular star] Cluster in Hercules and if you're south of 33 deg lat, Omega Centauri, even larger and more impressive than the Hercules cluster. Most DSOs are dim smudges, but there are a few that are breathtaking, even to an inexperienced observer.

Charles Messier, an 18th century comet-hunter, became frustrated by becoming excited about fuzzy objects that weren't comets, so he catalogued them with their locations. This became the Messier List, and its 110 objects have "M" designations. The Hercules Cluster is M13.

Here's StaRV II in it's now-natural habitat - Georgia Sky View '06, at Camp MacIntosh, just north of Macon, GA:

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So, what - all Barthmobile Forum members have as their hobby only caressing the Barth, and showering it with expensive gifts?

Dave, can you change the name of this forum to "Rusty'z Rantz & Rumblingz"?

quote:

Star Gazing and other non automotive hobbies

Calling all Star Gazers - List your Star Parties

Didn't want to get off topic, but, because you asked.

I think, when most of us come to this site, we like to talk, type, offer advice, research, check up on upcoming neat Rv items or to unwind with our Barth. It's like opening a window into an adventure most of us would like to do, but sadly, few will ever take.

With you Rusty, I like thinking about your "Star Parties" and how I'd like to check one out. I think about your boat and airplane and think about doing those things.

There are others on this site that take off for several days/weeks and leave postings about different places and things to do. I like reading about that and fancifully wish that I was the proverbial "Fly on the wall" in their coach.

I dream about chucking it all and "retire" to a 50 hr work week with some cushy job that doesn't require me to be laid up for 3-4 months the next time some moron runs off the road and takes me and my equipment out.

I'd like to do some safer things, like jump out of a perfectly good aircraft. Anyone want to do that, or are currently doing that?

I hate reading how someone has to sell their coach because their mate is too sick to enjoy it. How sad to work all your life and when it comes time to retire and enjoy life... disease, old age or your own stupidity (smoking/drinking/drugs/overeating) creep in. This retirement thing is so upside down.

I keep getting this mental image of a person in a casket. No one says "I wish I worked more" they always say "I wish I did more or spent more time with the kids, wife, hobby etc..."

I think of how some of my friends are in debt up to their eyeballs but they always manage to get in a long vacation. Is this being irresponsible or enjoying yourself? A fine line. It's like betting that you wont live to retirement. If that's the case then you had a good time and played with all your toys before getting your recall notice.

If you retire and don't have disposable income then you're the neighbor that peers out the window and watch life pass you by. How sad to wait for a check & for your kids to stop by just so you can get out of the house. Waiting around for something to happen and wishing that you saved a little bit more so you could enjoy what little is left of your time here.

My hobbies include... reading, playing with the kids, coming to this site, bowling (it's been awhile), taking the Barth to a race, collecting some die-cast, playing with the newest AV equipment, working on my toys (Barth/Nova) and I like dreamscaping about places to go and things to do.

quote:

of a person in a casket. No one says "I wish I worked more" they always say "I wish I did more or spent more time with the kids, wife, hobby etc..."

BINGO!....a recipe for life, wrapped up into one sentence! Kudos to Bill N.Y. !!

BTW, it was a defensive measure from Dave to prevent Susan and I from cluttering up another forum, but it is for all hobbies and other interests.

Ditto on the kudos...and good on you for keeping the sort- and long-term things in perspective.

that's why, according to The Plan, I semi-retired at 61 and fully retired (the last consulting gig ending) April 18th this year. Doing what was necessary to retire while still in early middle age (61) sucked at the time, but now I'm here, it's been worth it.

Need to finish a lot of details on the house additions, get it ready to sell, and find a place with dark skies and room for a 32' Regency.

Well, it appears no one has any hobbies or other interests. So for Susan's benefit, I just got a Takahashi NJP today.

I'll make a few mods before heading to the Nebraska Star Party around 7/18 or 19.

For those who'd like some stunning views through astronomical telescopes, the NSP is less than 30 miles SW of Valentine, NE. All Barthmobile Forum members are invited as Special Guests, 7/23-29/06. Have you ever been where it's so dark the Milky Way casts a shadow? Actually, have you, your kids, or grandchildren ever SEEN the Milky Way? (Well-bought politicians have made sure that light pollution prevails over preservation of heritage).

If 350 miles from Lincoln, NE is too far, StaRV II, Maggie, Casey, my astrogear, and I will be at the Peach State Star Gaze '06 (oddly enough, just east of Ducktown, TN, not in GA).

I think the link should state any hobbies and interests for the general public so that everyone can get their loves into the forum!! No offense Rusty,but there is alot of hobbies out there! Me, for one is still searching for the ultimate Barth,so I can have another passion to take up all my time and make the love of my life more crazy!!

You got to love this site!!!!!!!

Cheers,Neil

Well, the Topic is,

quote:

Star Gazing and other non automotive hobbies

Maybe Dave can retitle it to just "Non-automotive Hobbies".

Dave,

I think you should rename this forum to "Barth Lovers's Other Hobbies"

That way we might get other hobbies listed as well. Rusty and I will still be able to discuss stargazing and telescopes, etc.

Rusty, the Takahashi NJP is a mount for one of your telescopes? Please give further details. Thanks.

Susan

Yep, the Tak NJP is a mount - a friend had it for sale locally, and I know the other prior owner - I just couldn't pass it up. It's way overkill for anything I have now, but it'll be perfect for when I get an observatory.

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