Revisit Jeffers?

mlfj4901 · Post by **mlfj4901** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:39 am

Greetings,

There's a gent named Mark who emailed me and he is planning on carpooling with me, I don't think he checks the discussion boards so I'll email him to confirm.

I sure do hope more people than us 3 show up...

-matt

wkocken · Post by **wkocken** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 3:21 pm

I replied definitely, but it depends on the weather forcast.

I was there in July and it was very nice.

Also, I plan to bring my camper trailer. It has 3 separate bunks, a gas heater, lights, hot and cold running water, a stove and a potty ( which I probably will not use because I don't want to mess with it ) If someone is interested in riding along, let me know. I think I'll depart mid-afternoon from Coon Rapids. on Friday the 30th. I have room for 2 people and a reasonable amount of gear. I plan to return Sunday morning, assuming continued clear skies.

Bill Kocken

wkocken · Post by **wkocken** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:48 pm

I'm getting very pumped about going to Jeffers next weekend, but I'm not seeing much response. Matt, do you want to post a message to the entire MAS about the opportunity? I also noticed that that secret, loosly organized group, the MNAA, is discussing it. They don't seem to be getting much response either.

I was there in July and had a very enjoyable time. The sky is dark, mosquitoes not too bad, horizons lowand there's lot of room. The petroglyphs are cool, too. Only downside is the the open prairie can be windy, but that usually dies down at night.

By the way, my offer of driving/camping facilities is filled up. My brother Dave and his family are coming with me.

Bill

mlfj4901 · Post by **mlfj4901** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:37 pm

Greetings,

Both Ron and I have posted numerous messages to the entire MAS, both here and on the general MAS emailing list. Other than calling people at home I'm not sure what more we can do, but I'm open to ideas.

When I've posted messages I've tried to make it clear that this is NOT a beginner's SIG event. Rather I was trying to get as many beginners to go in addition to other MAS members. I don't think anything gets me more pumped about astronomy than looking up at the sky and seeing more than a thousand stars!

I'll send out another reminder later this week to the general mailing list.

-matt

rbubany · Post by **rbubany** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 8:53 am

I'm still fired up to go. Initial weather reports are promising, but much too early yet.

NOBODY buys anything and we should be OK.

mlfj4901 · Post by **mlfj4901** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:20 am

Greetings,

Uh oh....I was planning on buying an eyepiece from that Gemini editor....

-matt

rbubany · Post by **rbubany** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:22 pm

I'll have to let you borrow it until the event ends.

krichter · Post by **krichter** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:04 pm

I have a few more questions/ comments:

Camping - is this a real campground with picnic tables, tent pads, etc or is this just a field?

So we cant cook even with a little portable propane grill?
I also was planning on bringing a coleman stove - is this OK? I want coffee!

Also does Bingham lake or other nearby town have a grocery store?

As for carpooling - I live in Eden Prairie which is a good starting point and I can bring my minivan which means I could easily fit another passenger and their equipment. Email me at kirbyr@magenic.com if you are interested in car-pooling. We can leave a vehicle or 2 at my place. Or, I'd be willing to ride as a passenger with someone else if they prefer to drive. Gas is $$$ so I think car-pooling is a good idea!

rbubany · Post by **rbubany** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:17 pm

I have some answers:

Camping - is this a real campground with picnic tables, tent pads, etc or is this just a field?

It's just a large field.

So we cant cook even with a little portable propane grill?
I also was planning on bringing a coleman stove - is this OK? I want coffee!

Yes. You can cook. You just have to do it in the picnic area on the north side of the building. (The field is on the south side)

Also does Bingham lake or other nearby town have a grocery store?

Springfield, just 15 miles north has a grocery store, and also a motel if you get tired of roughing it.

I am going straight in from Darwin, so won't be able to pool myself, but maybe others will take you up on it.

See you there!!!

rbubany · Post by **rbubany** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 7:14 am

Well, I checked the sky clock and the UM weather forecasts. No rain forecast, reasonable dew points, but "partly cloudy" tonight. Clear saturday night.

I'm gonna go for it. Probably leave this afternoon sometime.

krichter · Post by **krichter** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:54 am

I'll see you tonight. I dont anticipate being there until after 7pm. I plan to camp.

Jon Hickman · Post by **Jon Hickman** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:24 am

Ron:

Have a blast this weekend! Wish I could have been joining you!

mlfj4901 · Post by **mlfj4901** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 3:20 pm

Greetings,

Plan on being there too, leaving in less than an hour hopefully.

-matt

mlfj4901 · Post by **mlfj4901** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 1:54 pm

Greetings,

Well for anyone that didn't attend you missed a great two nights of observing.

I'm too tired to give a full report or anything even resembling one.

A big thanks to Ron Bubany who sacrificed his viewing to make the clouds go away until 2:30 or so Saturday night.

-matt

rbubany · Post by **rbubany** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 2:23 pm

Damn it all! I was afraid that would happen. But I was even more afraid that I would have to pack up the tent in the rain.

Even so, I had some great viewing on Friday night. Skies were terrific.

We gotta do this more often.

mlfj4901 · Post by **mlfj4901** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:09 am

Greetings,

I'd love to go to Jeffers again. How do we go about it?

-matt

Dick Jacobson · Post by **Dick Jacobson** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:14 am

I'd like to add my big "thank you" to Ron Bubany, AKA Joe Btfsplk, for taking the clouds with him when he left Jeffers early. (If you don't remember the Li'l Abner comic, Joe Btfsplk was the unfortunate little man who had a thundercloud following him wherever he went.)

I'd love to visit Jeffers again, hopefully with better sky conditions and less wind.

krichter · Post by **krichter** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:27 am

The Jeffers trip was great! I really enjoyed it We should do these more often!