Pine Mountain Observatory

What a fantastic way to get out into THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE and enjoy the cosmos in all its wonder. We were out on a Saturday night, just shy of a half moon that stayed with us only until around 10:30.
Arrive before sundown; take the short hike up to the top of the nearby hill/​peak and survey a stunning view of the area and watch the sun go down.
During summer weekends, a group of volunteers give a very organized and informative brief at sundown inside a tent with audio/​visual aids. Answering questions of all stripe about the sciences, our guide, Kent, was a wonderful guide to the evening. After the brief intro, we walked up to the 24 inch scope and were shown a few features; watching the scope and dome reposition was cool in and of itself. We got to go inside the larger dome to see the research telescope and learn the realities of academic astronomy and astrophysics: often the researchers never step foot on the property; rather they call and order up their data, and it’s delivered to them. That made the volunteers doing time out into the public and under the stars even more valuable.
Two ameature astromers had brought out their telescopes and had them set up as well, and were happy to share, talk and answer questions. It really was an amazing evening. Just sitting back on the starwatching benches (angled back for best viewing), you are overwhemled with the THOUSANDS of stars you don’t see in any area near a city. Pair this realization with the potential present in each one of those tiny dots (not to mention the ones you can’t see with the naked eye) and, well, if you leave Pine Mountain without a serious case of awe and wonder… you just aren’t right!

My bf and I went up here to look at the view and do a bit of geocaching. It was a bit rainy on the day we went so we had the place to ourselves.
It had been many years since I’d been up here and, thus, I had forgotten the 8 miles on a gravel road. Not that, that in itself is a problem but I would have probably suggested to the bf that taking his convertible up there was a mistake. :)
The trip went without incident and it was lightly raining but nothing compared to what we have in the valley so it was all good. It was an August day so I’m sure the locals weren’t happy with this. Having been a local in my youth, I know how the weather can spoil you.
We looked around and did some hiking and promised ourselves we would come back on a clear night and take in the stars up close.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. It was a fun one.