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Star Party 2015: Prude Ranch

The reason for our trips out west?  The Texas Star Party.  This was our 6th visit to the star party.  I've decided that I like the later May ones because it's slightly warmer at night than April and the days aren't as hot as in June.

We've had several RV spots over the years.  We've settled on spot 6 as our favorite because it's on the same side of the road as the lower observing field which means there aren't any rocks/roads to cross in the middle of the night (driving on the ranch at night isn't allowed, the roads are still rock and hard to walk on after dark) and the kids can just walk a straight line from the RV to the telescopes.

During the day, there is a picnic area that the kids like to use as their play area.  It is across the road from the RV but that wouldn't change if we were in another spot. Fortunately, our "neighbors" know the kids are there and are careful when they do drive.


 S being silly after taking small rock stickers out of her shoes that have a very thin rubber bottom.

 







We also have the to opportunity to see some very cool telescopes!

 

And to spend time working on school work.....


And to receive a beautiful yellow rose for Mother's Day from the Fort Davis church of Christ.



The star party also publishes observing lists that you can earn a pin for completing.  A new list is created every year and you can also complete previous years lists.  This year, Craig, S, A, C, and Z earned pins.  C and Z earned their novice pins!

                          
 


To keep up with all the pins being awarded, I created a pin quilt.  The center is a picture of our 1st star party where we were able to meet astronaut Don Pettit.  He generously gave the kids some mission patches.  


The most exciting part of the star party is the Friday and Saturday night presentations and give-a-ways!  Friday night, there is a kids give-a-way.  Last year, Z won his own desktop telescope which he used this year to earn his novice award.  This year, C won her own desktop telescope and she completed the novice award this year too.  A also won a telescope but very generously gave it to the boy next to us who was attending his 1st star party and didn't own a telescope.  

 Z's door prize this year was an earth shirt which he LOVES!

                    
 

And what star party wouldn't be complete without some car/rv trouble?  This year, fortunately!!!!, we only had to caulk around the windows while in Fort Davis (a maintenance issue we've just ignored for too long) and we had to pull the RV and the van out, at home, with the tractor because it rained the entire time we were gone and the turn around area was slightly wet.



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