Andrew in March of 2010 was helping me build the bridge.  We have not done anything else to it since that time ... until today.  I replaced five boards and pressure washed it. When Andrew came over tonight, I had him go out to the bridge and we got a picture.

 

Annie Wilkerson Nature Preserve observing

 Last night, Ann, Rob, and I went out to the Annie Wilkerson Nature Preserve to represent the Raleigh Astronomy Club.  These were some of the most well behaved children I have meet at an event.  While it was cloudy, it was also looking better as the night went on.  About 8:15 or so, the clouds really cleared out and I used my 6" Intes on the moon with camera to take the picture below.  There is an event called the Lunar X that happens for about four hours a month.  I was able to capture it on some of the snapshots.

I also was able to stack 1000 frames and create this picture (warning, this picture is HUGE!)

Staunton River Star Party - Spring 2022

 

I attended the last few days of the Spring 2022 Staunton River Star Party.

Below is where I stayed and view out the front porch.  It was difficult to have to "rough it" while I was there.

While there, I did eat out once at the local diner.  Funny name and all the food had goofy names like Pluto Hotdogs, etc.

It was very windy, so most scopes were put away, disassembled or like the 30" dobson in the background, let the wind blow it around like a weather vane.

Evidently, someone wanted to see God tonight.  Geez!

This is my setup love the truck, love the green cart that Vickie just gave me.

First Picture with new camera for telescope

Orion Nebula (also known as Messier 42)
Celestron 8" EdgeHD
Advance VX Mount
0.63 Reducer
ASI533MC Pro

I purchased a new camera for my astronomy hobby and while I have no aspirations of being any type of photographer, I usually save a picture or two from the night's activity.  This is the first picture that I took.

Awesome Truck!

I have been asked about my setup with the telescope presently.  This is how it normally looks when I am out.  I am aware how awesome the truck is, make sure and notice the red LED lights in the back as well.

I got the Beyond Polaris Observing award

 I need structure for my astronomy hobby, so I joined the Raleigh Astronomy Club.  One of the benefits is that you get a membership to the Astronomical League as well.  There is a whole list of Observing Programs, and these are some of my new favorite activities.  I finished one of these a few months ago and got the award for the Beyond Polaris Observing Program. This is the beginning of page 34 in the League's March 2022 Reflector Magazine.

Stargazing in North Carolina

 

Welcome to North Carolina Stargazing.  You spend 1/4 of your time getting ready to observe, 1/4 of your time actually observing, and 1/2 of your time cleaning it all up afterwards.  This is beginning of spring, pollen makes this even worse.

Exactly Right

 

When your wife says she wants a bench to sit on, you build her a bench!

 

The culvert is collapsing

About a month ago, a tree fell near the creek in front of the house and lodged in the pipe under our driveway. I removed the tree, but the steel pipe was bent to the point that little water could flow through it.

The neighbor and I (mostly the neighbor) cut several sections out in an attempt to get the water flowing again. Unfortunately, I knew what was happening. As the water was not able to pass through the drainage pipe, it was going around it, taking much of the compacted sediment with it and undermining the driveway. This is what we get now when it really rains! This has only happened once, but .... wow!

Fortunately, the insurance company sent out a structural engineer today to get the process of repairing it started. Wish us luck.

One of those almost perfect weekends.....

The boys and I had one of those weekends that many dad's dream about. It started out on Saturday morning by attending the "First in Flight Jet Rally in Wilson, NC. Handing over the camera to Andrew and telling him to take all the pictures he wanted resulted in amazing me. These are some really cool pictures by an 8 year old. After the airshow, we took off to Grandma's and worked with the boys to help her fix items around the house. We also took our bicycles so we could ride until our legs were sore. We returned home on Sunday with the family boat long enough drop it off (would not start), then walk into the house to change out the cooler and grab the tent and sleeping bags. Off to the lake ... where we swam, killed ticks, and canoed. By the time we left on Monday about lunch, the children we so tired we came home and spent the afternoon playing computer games, napping, and watching TV. All together, an almost perfect weekend. Thank you Lord for holding off the rain!