If you like to see the stars at night, this is a super location. It's all set up for the gazer in all of us, and also has an education quality with a trail that details the different planets along the way. But first, you go down the long drive to a parking lot. From there you can see a couple of buildings: one houses a weather station, seismic station, and telescopes. The other is a gathering building with open restrooms (even when there are no events).
Upon reaching the commons area, you'll find a large sundial, and if it's sunny you can stand in a designated spot (read the instructions) and tell what time it is based on where your shadow falls. Pretty cool! And then beside that is a walk-around display showing the different phases of our moon.
Walk between the two main buildings and you'll see a huge metal globe with constellations all over it, and beyond that flowers and a huge field. On that field you'll begin to see stone effigies and a path to the right. Go that way! Initially, there are these semi-enclosed circles where you can learn about the planets while the sun, our very own star, sets, and have a seat to just listen to the wind or watch the sky. The entire path is long, but enjoyable as it winds it's way all around the huge field.
One of the reasons that it's so big is that the developers managed to place four large stone corners that mark the actual base dimensions of the huge pyramid in Giza, Egypt.
Goldilocks and I made it all the way to Uranus, which seemed like the path less taken considering the weeds that were taking hold of that circle. But it was worth it, walking closer to the woods and watching the lightning bugs come out. And not to mention the young couple that was setting up camp in front of one of the pyramid stones with a tent and all; it's a park so I guess you can do that (I was jealous!!!).Goldilocks received a text message from Tiny that the guys were getting hammered by mosquitos, so we rounded the path back to the buildings and met with the guys back at the bikes.
We rode the dark roads back to 322 and took Rt. 45 south to 88, taking a break on the causeway at Mosquito Lake. It was windy, everyone wanted coffee or sleep by this time (11pm), so we headed back to Hubbard McDonald's. Bones, Booner, and Sweet-N-Low left for home so SNL could get 4 hours sleep before getting up for work! The rest went inside for coffee.
Take a look at the observatory's website to see the events that are put on year-round, and times for star gazing with the telescopes. We go from early morning sunrise rides to 14 hour day rides to night rides - because riding and being together is the best thing! Go make some memories.
~ Holly, a.k.a. Stitchblade
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