Would love to just go "almost anywhere" to get away, find a nice spot in the mountains or beach to just look at the clouds and find "shapes" and at night to star gaze!!

[sheryl]

Wow!  Just need to get away.  I've tried to not complain (too) much re: co19 but I really need to get away - change of scenery.  Right now I'd like dh and I to find a grassy area and just look up and find "shapes" in clouds.  Cheap thrills, ya know!  But, those are some of the best!  Talk, laugh, relax, NOT be on a schedule (not that I am really) and look for unusual shapes.  Dog. Cat. Horse. Cross. Bird.  And, how nice to star-gaze (we used to do this).

Have you seen any neat, fun, unusual cloud formations that would mimic an animal or such?  Any star-gazers?  With telescope?

[Jenny in Florida]

No specific examples to share in response to your question, but that is why I bought myself some updated camping gear and booked a weekend of solo camping/walking/hiking last month.

It was so lovely that I have determined I need a sleep shed in the backyard of our new house.

[Jean in Newcastle]

We've had to go far away from ambient city light for good star gazing.  And while forests are away from the city, trees can block the views!  So a rural area possibly with nearby camping spots but also clearings for star and cloud gazing sounds like just the thing you are looking for. 

[mommyoffive]

19 minutes ago, Jenny in Florida said:

No specific examples to share in response to your question, but that is why I bought myself some updated camping gear and booked a weekend of solo camping/walking/hiking last month.

It was so lovely that I have determined I need a sleep shed in the backyard of our new house.

I haven't ever heard of that, what is it?  Just a shed with a bed?

[sheryl]

16 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

I haven't ever heard of that, what is it?  Just a shed with a bed?

IDK, but it sounds good to me!

[prairiewindmomma]

Yes, we do this quite often. 

We ditched the telescope about a decade ago for a nice set of binoculars. They pack a lot more nicely.  We have a bag with a waterproof blanket, some snacks & water bottles, bugspray and sunscreen and we head out on the regular. I personally prefer watching the ocean over watching the clouds or the stars, but we do both several times a month. On a really stressful afternoon, I head to the backyard. We have long wooden benches there. I can listen to my wind chimes and smell the honeysuckle and roses and lavender and chill out for 20 minutes before I come back in to deal with my darling family. 

Thanks for this thread--it reminds me that I need to replace a couple of our blowup camping pillows. 🙂

[HS Mom in NC]

My mom's cousin (they were best friends growing up down the street from each other) had a cabin in the mountains that he let friends and family use free of charge.  Once we took the hiking group and their families there and one person brought his telescope so we could star gaze. We took walks in the woods and swam in the creek.  

[Jenny in Florida]

43 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

I haven't ever heard of that, what is it?  Just a shed with a bed?

 

26 minutes ago, sheryl said:

IDK, but it sounds good to me!

I'm thinking something between basic shed and a tiny cabin, a permanent structure with large windows/screens and maybe a skylight. Similar to what might be called a "summer house" in some parts of the world.

[sheryl]

29 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Yes, we do this quite often. 

We ditched the telescope about a decade ago for a nice set of binoculars. They pack a lot more nicely.  We have a bag with a waterproof blanket, some snacks & water bottles, bugspray and sunscreen and we head out on the regular. I personally prefer watching the ocean over watching the clouds or the stars, but we do both several times a month. On a really stressful afternoon, I head to the backyard. We have long wooden benches there. I can listen to my wind chimes and smell the honeysuckle and roses and lavender and chill out for 20 minutes before I come back in to deal with my darling family. 

Thanks for this thread--it reminds me that I need to replace a couple of our blowup camping pillows. 🙂

Sounds WONDERFUL! 

[sheryl]

24 minutes ago, Homeschool Mom in AZ said:

My mom's cousin (they were best friends growing up down the street from each other) had a cabin in the mountains that he let friends and family use free of charge.  Once we took the hiking group and their families there and one person brought his telescope so we could star gaze. We took walks in the woods and swam in the creek.  

YES!  LOVE the mountains.  The ocean has grown on me over the years but I will always prefer the mountains!  We'd like to buy a small cabin in the Ap Mtns in the future.  With that said, I'd like to go to the beach and just walk a lazy walk on the beach!  Woods, creeks, small rivers, all good!

[sheryl]

9 minutes ago, Jenny in Florida said:

 

I'm thinking something between basic shed and a tiny cabin, a permanent structure with large windows/screens and maybe a skylight. Similar to what might be called a "summer house" in some parts of the world.

Sounds good to me!  

[Jenny in Florida]

4 minutes ago, sheryl said:

Sounds good to me!  

I figure I can use it now when I need to "get away," and in the future our theoretical grandchildren can use it as a playhouse and/or have backyard campouts at Grandma's house.

[Ottakee]

1 hour ago, Jenny in Florida said:

No specific examples to share in response to your question, but that is why I bought myself some updated camping gear and booked a weekend of solo camping/walking/hiking last month.

It was so lovely that I have determined I need a sleep shed in the backyard of our new house.

I would love to hear more of your solo adventures.  I might try this as well.

[caffeineandbooks]

Speaking of star gazing, you happen to be posting in the best week of the year for meteor showers - maybe it's meant to be?  Here's a NY Times article to get you started, or you could Google "Eta Aquarids" to find the best days and times in your area. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/05/science/eta-aquarids-meteor-shower.html

[sheryl]

1 hour ago, caffeineandbooks said:

Speaking of star gazing, you happen to be posting in the best week of the year for meteor showers - maybe it's meant to be?  Here's a NY Times article to get you started, or you could Google "Eta Aquarids" to find the best days and times in your area. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/05/science/eta-aquarids-meteor-shower.html

Will do that now or after dinner!  Thanks!!

[sheryl]

1 hour ago, Jenny in Florida said:

I figure I can use it now when I need to "get away," and in the future our theoretical grandchildren can use it as a playhouse and/or have backyard campouts at Grandma's house.

Do you have a "tiny" house?  That would be interesting to consider!

[Faith-manor]

We are doing this right now. We loaded up our camping supplies and headed about six hours away to a state park. It is a bit chilly, but we have good fear so are managing well. We picked a site at a not busy place and a site in the middle of a bunch that were not reserved this week. It is sparse, we only occasionally run into other humans at the bathrooms. The DNR requires masks inside the bathroom and office. People have been respectful. I think pretty much everyone here is having a pandemic escape. We have our college boys with us and it had been heaven. Even when raining it has been wonderful. We have had some good star gazing. I am feeling really good. We have booked another 3 day trip at the beginning of June at an even more remote, nature lover location, and in July, a week in West Virginia at a state forest, but also with an excursion to New River Gorge National Park.

I had given up camping for a long time because it was so much work when the kids were little. But now with young adults, it is a lot of fun.

[sheryl]

1 hour ago, Faith-manor said:

We are doing this right now. We loaded up our camping supplies and headed about six hours away to a state park. It is a bit chilly, but we have good fear so are managing well. We picked a site at a not busy place and a site in the middle of a bunch that were not reserved this week. It is sparse, we only occasionally run into other humans at the bathrooms. The DNR requires masks inside the bathroom and office. People have been respectful. I think pretty much everyone here is having a pandemic escape. We have our college boys with us and it had been heaven. Even when raining it has been wonderful. We have had some good star gazing. I am feeling really good. We have booked another 3 day trip at the beginning of June at an even more remote, nature lover location, and in July, a week in West Virginia at a state forest, but also with an excursion to New River Gorge National Park.

I had given up camping for a long time because it was so much work when the kids were little. But now with young adults, it is a lot of fun.

DH and I used to go camping years ago.  It is very relaxing, for sure.  It sounds like you had a great time!  We've been in that neck of the woods in WVa.  It's pretty.  I read the New River is the 2nd oldest river.  I read that in Our State magazine a couple of decades ago or so.   How can they determine that?  Your schedule of fun is an encouragement for me to start planning!  Have fun on your adventures!

[kbutton]

You need a dark sky park! https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

I know that some of them have good camping nearby, and a dark sky park is likely to have observation areas set up in fields or lookouts even if it's rural, so trees should not get in the way. Some parks will have telescope domes/shelters on site.  

[Faith-manor]

1 hour ago, kbutton said:

You need a dark sky park! https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

I know that some of them have good camping nearby, and a dark sky park is likely to have observation areas set up in fields or lookouts even if it's rural, so trees should not get in the way. Some parks will have telescope domes/shelters on site.  

For those of you in Michigan or near enough to travel, we have a Night Sky park near Mackinac City. Great viewing! But one caveat is that there is no overnight camping. Technically you can be out there laying on the ground staring up all night, but if you have any camp equipment at all, about 1 am you will probably be told to go home. There is a state park campground about twenty miles away. There is also a lodge house at the night sky park that can be rented by large groups. It is very pricey.

Also, in Huron County, Port Crescent State Park also has a night sky area. They are not yet sponsored by amateur astronomers so unless my husband and I are there, you are not likely to encounter any major size telescopes. But when we are there, we have th spotting scope as well as our 12" Schmidt Cassegrain.

[Ottakee]

2 minutes ago, Faith-manor said:

For those of you in Michigan or near enough to travel, we have a Night Sky park near Mackinac City. Great viewing! But one caveat is that there is no overnight camping. Technically you can be out there laying on the ground staring up all night, but if you have any camp equipment at all, about 1 am you will probably be told to go home. There is a state park campground about twenty miles away. There is also a lodge house at the night sky park that can be rented by large groups. It is very pricey.

Also, in Huron County, Port Crescent State Park also has a night sky area. They are not yet sponsored by amateur astronomers so unless my husband and I are there, you are not likely to encounter any major size telescopes. But when we are there, we have th spotting scope as well as our 12" Schmidt Cassegrain.

I have been to the night sky park by Mackinaw....but only to hike during the day.   I need to go these in the evening sometime.

[Faith-manor]

Depending on covid, dh and  I will either be judging documentation and presentations for IREC (International Rocketry Engineering Competition) in June 2022 or 2023. Our bucket list is after we are done at the competition (Spaceport USA, NM) to head north to an astronomy retreat. They have  20" scope and some retired astronomers and astrophysicists running the place! I really hope dh can be away from work long enough to make both happen.

[ScoutTN]

I have 5 nights of solo camping planned in NC in June. Nothing fancy or hugely adventurous, just relaxing, sleeping in a tent, reading, some gentle hiking. By myself! 
 

In the mtns, so hopefully nicely dark night skies.

Edited May 7, 2021 by ScoutTN

[sheryl]

12 hours ago, kbutton said:

You need a dark sky park! https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

I know that some of them have good camping nearby, and a dark sky park is likely to have observation areas set up in fields or lookouts even if it's rural, so trees should not get in the way. Some parks will have telescope domes/shelters on site.  

Looks beautiful.  Didn't know there was such a thing.  Have you been to one?  I'm looking at the list now.

[sheryl]

10 hours ago, Faith-manor said:

For those of you in Michigan or near enough to travel, we have a Night Sky park near Mackinac City. Great viewing! But one caveat is that there is no overnight camping. Technically you can be out there laying on the ground staring up all night, but if you have any camp equipment at all, about 1 am you will probably be told to go home. There is a state park campground about twenty miles away. There is also a lodge house at the night sky park that can be rented by large groups. It is very pricey.

Also, in Huron County, Port Crescent State Park also has a night sky area. They are not yet sponsored by amateur astronomers so unless my husband and I are there, you are not likely to encounter any major size telescopes. But when we are there, we have th spotting scope as well as our 12" Schmidt Cassegrain.

Thanks for that!  DH and I moved from MI to NC years ago but we didn't star-gaze then.  Love Mackinac Island and City.  I was back in MI this last Sept visiting family and would like to plan another road trip back up.  Summers are brutal in the south but northern summers are so cool and sweet.  I miss them.  

[sheryl]

9 hours ago, ScoutTN said:

I have 5 nights of solo camping planned in NC in June. Nothing fancy or hugely adventurous, just relaxing, sleeping in a tent, reading, some gentle hiking. By myself! 
 

In the mtns, so hopefully nicely dark night skies.

App mtns?

[Spryte]

13 hours ago, kbutton said:

You need a dark sky park! https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

I know that some of them have good camping nearby, and a dark sky park is likely to have observation areas set up in fields or lookouts even if it's rural, so trees should not get in the way. Some parks will have telescope domes/shelters on site.  

This is a great list, thank you!

We have loved visiting some of these, and wow, the skies at night!

Another favorite of mine, for star-gazing, is Angel Peak in NM.  I’ve only primitive camped there.

[sheryl]

14 hours ago, kbutton said:

You need a dark sky park! https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

I know that some of them have good camping nearby, and a dark sky park is likely to have observation areas set up in fields or lookouts even if it's rural, so trees should not get in the way. Some parks will have telescope domes/shelters on site.  

Is there a way to locate by state?  I went back and found 2 in-state communities.  What is a community?  How does that differ to park?

Wow, kbutton!  We do have 2 in-state/NC and, in fact, we drive in these areas in the mountains "all the time".  We've probably passed or been within a couple miles to both without knowing it.  I'm going to research these 2 further for details.  

Edited May 7, 2021 by sheryl

[Jenny in Florida]

17 hours ago, sheryl said:

Do you have a "tiny" house?  That would be interesting to consider!

I don't because until now we have always rented and had no place to put one. I'm envisioning this sleep shed as a very tiny tiny house. 

[kbutton]

4 hours ago, sheryl said:

Looks beautiful.  Didn't know there was such a thing.  Have you been to one?  I'm looking at the list now.

Only during the day. I knew they existed because a state park near where I grew up is one, and I've been there for an event. I figured there would be some kind of site to help locate them, and that's what I posted. I have wanted to go, but in the summer it's so late to get dark, and in the winter, it's so cold!

2 hours ago, sheryl said:

Is there a way to locate by state?  I went back and found 2 in-state communities.  What is a community?  How does that differ to park?

Wow, kbutton!  We do have 2 in-state/NC and, in fact, we drive in these areas in the mountains "all the time".  We've probably passed or been within a couple miles to both without knowing it.  I'm going to research these 2 further for details.  

I haven't played with the search function.

I am glad you have two relatively close options to check out. 🙂 

[KungFuPanda]

21 hours ago, Jenny in Florida said:

 

I'm thinking something between basic shed and a tiny cabin, a permanent structure with large windows/screens and maybe a skylight. Similar to what might be called a "summer house" in some parts of the world.

Have you looked at sun sheds?  They're meant to be used as sheds/greenhouses, but they might have the windows you want.  You could always put a screen door on it. 

[Jenny in Florida]

25 minutes ago, KungFuPanda said:

Have you looked at sun sheds?  They're meant to be used as sheds/greenhouses, but they might have the windows you want.  You could always put a screen door on it.

I haven't but am looking now, thanks! Currently, my plan is to hire my son to build something for me, but we are compiling a bunch of images for inspiration.

[ScoutTN]

8 hours ago, sheryl said:

App mtns?

Yes! South of Asheville.

[sheryl]

On 5/7/2021 at 5:33 PM, ScoutTN said:

Yes! South of Asheville.

Love Asheville!  We go to the mountains often (only 2-3 hours away depending on where we go; we live in Charlotte).  There is so much to see and do throughout all the towns in the Apps/Blue Ridge.  ENJOY!