2008 Eldorado Star Party Last-Minute Details

Orientation:

• The ESP registration check-in table is located just inside the light-fence by the observing field and should have someone there from 3-6 PM starting Wednesday. Monday/Tuesday arrivals can check-in after 12 noon on Wednesday.
• Need a driving map of the area or a close-up site map? Print out maps at these links:
  Driving Map and Site Map
• As you approach the observing site, watch for orange road cones near the turn in.
• Our approx coordinates are latitude=30.7327778 N, longitude=-100.8256389 (W), elevation=2400'
• X-Bar Ranch has 2 gates. The southernmost gate is the entrance to the parking lot and observing area, and is open 24 hours a day.
• If you are staying offsite, move your car over to the main parking area behind the light fence BEFORE DARK. Even though we have light fences, it would be useful if you park your car with headlights pointing away from the light fence.
• No Pets (including dogs), please. Guide animals are the only exception.

Observing Field:

• The main observing field has parking along its north and east sides. There is also a roadway that cuts through the observing field as a loop. Please help us by keeping access to the observing field roadway open. Please do not park (except for unloading) on the observing fields.
• Road cones will mark road entrances to go around the field. We will try to mark the field with white chalk lines and also mark the roadway that loops through the field.
• Please keep tents and equipment trailers outside the observing fields, to allow folks to pull in and unload/load their equipment.
• Equipment trailers: Our priority is to make sure there is enough parking and tent space near the observing field for everyone. Equipment trailers cannot be directly within the marked area of the field. They can be parked outside the access roadway that circles the field, or between the roadway and the gas pipeline. If you chose any other camping spot away from the observing field, your trailer can be right next to you.
• Due to space considerations, Observa-tents are not permitted on the observing field, but can be placed nearby.
• There will be an “honor-system” snack bar available nightly adjacent to observing field
• Wireless high speed Internet access is available at the lodge building, and may not be available on the observing field.

Camping

• There are portable toilets across from the observing field and next to the bathhouse. The bathhouse is just north of the main parking lot and has separate mens/womens shower stalls with sinks (hot water, too!)
• There are lots of trees and places for tents in the area. A dirt road leads past the observing field that leads to some areas. Another area is the far side of the observing field and behind the cluster of trees.
  You can put your tent/vehicle anywhere except:
  • by the gas pipeline (cars & equipment trailers ok)
  • within the marked observing field areas
  You may find that tents set up next to the light fence tend to have more privacy and less wind. If you want less morning sun, try the other side of the light fence?

Last Minute Items:

• Forgot what meals you purchased? Check at the front gate or the serving line at the Lodge.
• Where are the meals and evening speakers? The Live Oak Lodge is a short walk. Follow the dirt road north alongside the highway. This will lead past the north gate and around to the Lodge building with its long covered front porch. There is a shortcut path (see lime green tape markings) near the north gate, that leads directly to the Lodge area. The lodge has a kitchen area (where the meals serving line is), tables and chairs to relax in, as well as a satelite TV. Our meeting room is in the same building to the right.
• Will my cellphone work? Maybe. There is cellphone service in the area. The nearest phones are in town. An medical-emergency-only phone is in the lodge.
• Need a list of nearby places to eat or shop for supplies? Print our Food & Supplies Places
• Thursday night we have invited some of the locals to come by until 11:00 PM to look through the telescopes. We want the community to be excited about us, and help us to control light pollution for future star parties. Help them get excited about astronomy!
• Please don't forget to look over our Observing Site Rules !
• After ESP, we will be sending you a survey form by e-mail. Please take the time to help us... return the survey form and give us your feedback on what we did right and what we did wrong!
• Interesting in communicating with your friends at ESP? If you have an FRS/GMRS radio, you can use Channel 6-Subchannel 0 for "public" communication.

Have a safe (and uneventful) journey. We look forward to seeing you at ESP soon!

Your ESP volunteers,
Anne Adkins
Linda Cartwright
Dave & Valerie Clark
George Ellis
Cecile Shopen
Bill Tschumy
... and the Meader Family at X-Bar Ranch

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