| Nightfall 2018 Well, here we are again - back in Borrego Falls for the annual Nightfall Star Party. All the regulars were there except for Jeff and Lynne (they were doing election volunteer work back home). Here is Al, Fred, Ron and Annie. |
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2018 Fred, Al and I usually arrive two days early and stay two nights after the star party, making it a seven night excursion instead of just three nights. The first and last couple of nights are really nice since there's nobody around and it's nice and quiet. Looking to the West. |
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2018 There's my car and scope and Al's telescope trailer. Fred is just beyond Al's trailer. |
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2018 It really is nice to have the place to yourself. This is on Tuesday - come Thursday this RV park will be completely full. |
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2018 Another view towards the West with the BBQ area down at the end of the drive. |
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2018 The best thing about these trips is that afternoon naps are just about mandatory. Here's Fred in his cave getting ready to hibernate for a while. |
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2018 Our resident weather guru, Al, checking the forecast. This year was a first for us. We were almost completely skunked with the weather. Tuesday and Wednesday night it was cloudy until after 11:30 pm. The daytimes were fantastic, but the clouds rolled in every night except for the very last night. We did have some fun dinners, though. |
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2018 Looking back towrds the main office. My building is just off to the right. |
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2018 Fred and Al early on when we were still optimistic about having good weather. |
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2018 Looking kind of towards the South. Fred and Al's rigs are in the center-left. |
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2018 Looking Southwest the skies were absolutely perfect during the day. |
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2018 Looking West. The place is starting to fill up nicely. |
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2018 Even though the nights were cloudy, the daytime temps were around 85. The water in the pool was perfect, which meant that a swim and a nap by the pool was required almost every day. All we needed was someone to bring us drinks by the pool. |
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2018 Another view of the pool. My room is the one with the balcony in the brown painted section of the building behind the pool. |
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2018 Another of the regulars at Nightfall. This is Jeff. He's from the San Diego area and usually brings his family with him for a short vacation. |
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2018 Jeff's telescopes. |
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2018 Here is where we staked our claim. Fred lets me set up my scope with him on his RV slip and Al is set up on the slip just next door. It's pretty convenient, we're all right together and don't have to wander far to keep tabs on our buddies. |
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2018 Al's traditional setup - his big dobsonian in front and his imaging scope back near the van. |
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2018 Al has a buddy that he'd known since elementary school - they parked right next to Fred and I. A very nice couple. We even introduced them to Carmelita's for mexican one night. That was a fun dinner. |
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2018 There is always a social for everyone where we get to hear the latest announcements. Fred and I came a little early and had a burger. The food at the resort is actually getting better! Here's Fred kicking back a bit. |
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2018 Chatting with Mark, one of the star party organizers. The resort had a band that night (setting up behind). |
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2018 Here is the general observing area. If you're staying in the hotel you can set up your gear in this blocked-off parking lot. Folks can just wander through and ckeck out the nice toys. :) |
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2018 Our next door neighbor. |
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2018 My telescope. All set up and nothing to look at (clouds all week). |
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2018 Right near Carmelita's the community is building a new library across the street from the old Post Office. The library will share the space with the Sheriff's Office |
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| Nightfall 2018 On Saturday we always have a BBQ. Everyone brings their own stuff to BBQ as well as a side dish to share. This is the best table - the one with all the deserts. |
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2018 There's Fred visiting with a couple of ladys that joined us. This year the place really filled up so all the tables were full. |
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2018 Also this year Terry was able to join us from the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club. Terry usually attends the Golden State Star Party regularly, but this was his first trip to Borrego Springs. Unfortunately, he picked the wrong one to attend as his first time since we got clouded out. Terry eventually headed north to Death Valley looking for better skies (and found them). Here is a link to his photos. Terry is an excellent photographer. Terry Dietz Borrego Springs Photos |
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2018 This is a fellow that parked a couple of slips over from where we were. He likes to play his guitar at night. Star parties are traditionally very quiet, but this guy just doesn't get it. Keeps playing the same songs every year. |
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2018 Another look at the BBQ area. Our table is in the back, center. |
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2018 Another one of the wonderful telescopes that come to visit Borrego Springs every year. |
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2018 Al took off a little early due to the clouds. Fred and I went out to Ram's Hill Resort for dinner on Sunday. They had just opened for the season. Fantastic dinner and fabulous view of the valley at sunset. |
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2018 Sunset from Ram's Hill Resort. |
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2018 Terry Dietz Borrego Springs Photos |
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