2/16/08 I was unable to get my 5th wheel out of storage because of the Thursday
rain and mud, so I brought my back pack tent and an electric heater. I drove
through Julian and down the Banner Grade Friday afternoon. There was
still a bit of snow and ice in the shady spots. I set up my tent
and scope in an RV spot that had power. I had only a few people
stop by Friday night. The sky was beautiful even with the moon, but it
was so cold that I went to bed early. The camp ground was very busy with
a horse camping group and a couple of RV groups. A portable barbecue
wagon guy was there and his food was excellent serving breakfast, lunch
and dinner. I never had to get my camp stove out yah. During the day I
had my PST solar scope and TV85 set up for solar viewing. I did a 3 mile
hike in the desert and some macro photography of the just emerging wild
flowers. The weather during the day was perfect in the mid 60's with no
wind. Seeing was poor to average. On Saturday night I had 50 - 60 well
mannered guest's visit my telescope. The owner wanted me to stay Sunday
night also but she who must be obeyed was home waiting for me and I
couldn't stay another night. I made several new RV friends and helped
out one new Meade scope owner trying to get aligned and his goto's
working. The Butterfield Camp owner had advertised my setup to be in the open play area,
but there were no hook ups there so I set up at my site. I enjoyed dong
the one scope star party and would visit this site again. The accommodations
(full hook ups) are very nice, quite dark out here with very little
light pollution caused by the park, and there is good visibility in all
Roger Zellmer - San Diego
N32, W117
TV85, Celestron 8" SCT CF XLT
Losmandy G11/Gemini mount w/ side by side
Coronado PST 40mm solar scope
Canon 40D, Image Source DMK21AF04.AS
www.rogerzellmer.san.rr.com