Entry 4 and 7/8 - TOP SECRET

Kids, do not try this at home. ( well maybe but only under adult supervision)

As my friends know, under the influence of clear skies I can act a little crazy.  I will stay up all night, walk around with out watching where I’m going to the point that someone needs to hold my hand or I will walk off curbs, in to traffic or smack my head on stop signs. I’ve been known to yell out to anyone willing (or not) to listen “look how beautiful Jupiter is!!!.”

Well, Cass was one of my worse cases.  Out in the middle of no where the light pollution was minimal, the moon was new and I was outside. After watching an Antarctic horror movie from the 80’s, I rounded up some other crazy kids and we went stargazing.  We brought out our sleeping bags, an extra helping of dessert and my totally awesome laser pointer. It was brilliant!!!  All 2,000 visible stars must have been out for us. Orion was there, upside down, the southern cross and I made a weak attempt to point out Pegasus. Then we played our own game and made up constellations. Laura concluded that the stars were actually pieces of broken music that was scattered across the sky when two musical lovers quarrelled.

Our vision was distracted when the coal train came barreling through the mountains. We heard it first and then slowly the headlight was a beacon coming out from between the mountains peaks. It grew louder and louder till it light up the small town below. It was pretty magical, straight out of the Polar Express.

Andy took out his camera and got some great astrophotography shots. I tried my hand at it the next night just before dusk when Jupiter and Venus were at their best.

Meet Venus and Jupiter

Meet Venus and Jupiter

So needless to stay I slept outside….no tent, no sleeping pad, straight up bag. This is why I’m warning to do as I say, not as I do.  I had a hard time getting to sleep as I was distracted by the stars. I finally went to sleep and would wake up, check that the stars were still there, roll over and fall back asleep. I slept quite well but around 5:30 we went back in as the sun was coming up, the roosters were crowing and birds chirping. I had a wee bit of frozen morning dew on my bag, some cold toes but was perfectly fine with all my warm layers. I also don’t recommend sleeping out with a full day’s work ahead of you.  Clear skies to all of you!