...Are Big and Bright,
Way Up In North Texas.
Just back from a weekend trip to Copper Breaks State Park. The purpose of the trip was to get way from the light pollution of the Metroplex to see if any stars are still out there. We can now confirm they are.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights were clear and moonless. As sunset changed to twilight, the stars began to appear and by 10:30 the sky was full. This morning I got up about 3:30 and went outside the trailer for a little while. Its been a long time since I've been where I could see the Milky Way stretch from horizon to horizon, but Copper Breaks State Park filled the bill.
On Saturday night we went to a "Star Walk" organized by the Park. Several ameture astronomers set up their telescopes to allow viewing of various celestial objects, including Saturn and a few distant galaxies.
One of them gave about an hour long presentation, pointing out objects of significance in the sky as the evening got darker. By the time he finished it was pitch dark. The spectators then moved around among the telescopes to see what was visible. Since I had Leo with me, I held back while Maggie and Jonas made the rounds. Then Jonas relieved me with Leo and Maggie helped me keep from stumbling in the dark to get a look at Saturn and two distant galaxies. It was a very interesting evening.
While the main focus of the weekend was Stars, the most challenging activity was staying cool. Daytime temperatures were above 100 degrees each day.
The trip to Copper Breaks was also a challenge. When I got ready to leave home on Friday I found the signal lights on the trailer weren't working. So, I spent about three hours trying to find the problem. No joy. I finally got the right break and signal to work and took my chance using that alone. I'm going to have to get someone who knows what they are doing to get this solved once and for all.
That got me away from home by about 12:30 PM on Friday. I hit traffic just north of downtown Fort Worth, which cost me about an hour of stop and go. By the time I got to Copper Breaks it was 6:30 PM, about 98 degrees and the wind was blowing at about 40 MPH. I cranked up the AC and stayed in till about sunset. As soon as the sun began to go down the temperature dropped 15-20 degrees. With the wind blowing it was very pleasant outside. I wanted to stay out to watch the stars, but was exhausted and went to bed about 10:00.
On Saturday morning Leo and I drove into Quanah and found Dutch's Restaurant. My kind of hometown cafe. After a good breakfast, I went back to the campsite and read a book in the shade till Maggie and Jonas arrived about 1:30.
Shortly after they arrived, we joined the Park Rangers for "Meet the Longhorns". Copper Breaks is home to part of the official State of Texas Longhorn herd. I learned that of the 1.5 million Longhorns that roamed wild in Texasafter the Civil War, only about 500 of their bloodline remain.
And, even though Maggie wasn't quite quick enough on the shutter to catch it, Jonas really did get a Longhorn kiss!
Our visit with the Longhorns was short, because it was about 110 degrees out in the sun with them. We then chilled in the trailer till about 5:00 PM, when we went to the telescope area to take a look at the sun through one of the scope. It was cool to look at, but extremely hot at the telescope site as well. Fortunately, by the time of the Star Walk the temperature was beginning to drop post-sunset.
A couple of times during the weekend Maggie and Jonas braved the heat for short hikes, kayaking and swimming.
And, since the wind continued to blow all weekend, kite flying was the order of the day on Sunday.
But the best part of the weekend was spending time with Maggie and Jonas in the peaceful, quiet and star-filled outdoors. Just ask Leo...
