USA or bust!!

[Deeno]

We are heading Stateside next week for a bit of a holiday. Starting in New York then Washington, we fly to Orlando to pick up a campervan and drive to LA.

Just looking for tips on what to see, space related or anything out of the ordinary.

We should be somewhere around Texas or New Mexico on the new moon. Perhaps one of our American cousins can steer us towards an observing night somewhere?

Lastly, I'm a bit lost on what I need for compact astronomy,:confused2: as the opportunity for a little observing will undoubtedly arise. And I don't think a 10" dob will fit in an overhead compartment on your average 747!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

:thanx:
Merry Christmas
Deeno

[Kevnool]

Be carefull sleeping on the side of the road in New Mexico.....A sheriff shone a torch in the window and told us to move on as people get killed around here and i said you dont have to tell me twice.

Cheers Kev.

[Deeno]

Ha :rofl:!

Sound advise

Cheers

[wavelandscott]

Deeno,

Safe travels! It is cold in New York at the moment and most of the East coast has had several inches of snow over the last few days...

While it should be good by your arrival do be prepared for the cold!

In DC you should check out (among other things) the Smithsonian...pretty cool and in Florida take the chance to get to NASA...when you get a chance, feel free to drop me a PM with your itinerary (planned days in each area etc.) and I can make some suggestions...sounds like you are planning on covering a lot of ground in a short period of time!

Safe Travels!

[Kevnool]

We brought a car in LA it was an old buick wagon v8 for 500 bucks drove it up to minesota to the headwaters of the mississippi river at a place called Lake Itaska thats the start of the mississippi river then followed it all the way down to New Orleans then back across the bottom states to LA again.

Driving takes a bit of getting used to especially when you get in a shuttle bus to take you from LAX ,Thats an experience by itself.

Overall driving was great with no probs.

When you come back home to Oz drive around the backstreets to get used to right hand driving again.

Cheers Kev.

[Deeno]

Hey Scott

The Pony club hasn't been the same without you.

First stop in New York is to Century 21 (I think) to buy a warm coat!
Washington has featured in the news in recent days, cold seems to be an understatement!!!

As for itinerary, we have three weeks to get from Orlando to LA.
NASA, Houston, there is a Titan missile silo in New Mexico I want to check out and the Lovell Observatory in Flagstaff is pretty much the only things we have defiantly planned to see.

The rest is.....well......open to suggestion.

Cheers
Deeno

[mozzie]

have a great time deano id love to go and drive/camp around the states
mozzie

[matt]

Sounds great.

I can't wait for my 6-week break in the States in October next year. I'm already planning destinations and arrival times for the best photo opps.:D

[Kal]

Check out both Smithsonian air & space museums, one in DC on the mall, the other is near Dulles International Airport about an hour drive from the heart of DC :)

[iceman]

Awesome Deeno - can't wait to see the pics upon your return!

[gmbfilter]

A good set of binos Deano!
Seriously have fun
Missed you at pony club
Going to visit any organs in US?

[gary]

Hi Deeno,

Have a great trip!

Drop me an email or give me a phone call on 02 9457 9049 and I can
provide some U.S. contacts for you that can assist with observing in the
Southwest.

Certainly there are opportunities to hook you up with friends in West Texas
near Fort Davis in the shadow of the McDonald Observatory including a friend
with a 48" (no, that is not a misprint).

There is also absolutely no way I could let you enter New Mexico without
first telling you that you absolutely must get to Chaco Culture National Historical Park,
home of the Chaco Canyon. This site was one of many inhabited by the
Anasazi people and is one of the best preserved archaeological sites within
all of North America. The Anasazi had a long connection with observing the
sky and you will see that in the architecture and petroglyphs, including one
depicting the supernova of 1054. See http://www.exploratorium.edu/chaco/flash.html

There is also an observatory open to the public at the visitors center and includes
some serious aperture such as a 25" Dob. Friend John Sefick was one of the
founders of the observatory and often spends time there.
See http://www.nps.gov/archive/chcu/nightskyprogram.htm

Whatever time you have allocated for the Southwest, it will never be enough. :)
In fact it might be best to call me and have pen and paper ready as there are so
many sites to see in that region like Canyon de Chelly that are so astounding
that it would be criminal to pass them by. :)

Best Regards

Gary

P.S.

if passing through El Paso in South West Texas, which is the gateway
down to Fort Davis, recommend you currently avoid the day trip across into
the border town of Juarez in Mexico due to the currently well reported
phenomenally high amount of drug cartel war related violence with over 2,250
deaths alone this year.

See http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/travel/1935866,CST-NWS-mexico13.article

Unfortunately things don't sound much better in the Mexican border town of Ojinaga
either, with the army having to patrol the streets, so day trips across the entire
border there in the Southwest are probably best left to safer times.

[seanliddelow]

If you drop by Arizona on your way to LA theres the meteor crater which is a great place to visit. Theres also quite a lot of observatorys up there. The people who sell the servo cat goto are based in Arizona and I know you can rent out the 36" for the night:D For a price however:sadeyes:

[seanliddelow]

I think there is a similar one in Arizona?

[Nightshift]

While in Orlando, drive up International Blvd, you cant miss it, all the tourist stuff is there, about half way up heading north on the right hand side you will see a bungie bullet ride, park near that, right next door is a two story go cart track that is awesome, cheap too, excellent fun and when your finished, next door is an outdoor bar that you can sit at, have a few Buds and throw chookfeed to the gators in the man made water course that runs through the bar, good fun too. For the missus, International Blvd is full of cheap shoe and perfume shops. Only a two hours drive to Kennedy from there so dont miss it, make it a two day pass as you wont see everything in one day, be sure and ride the shuttle simulator, its free, sit at the back and you get to catch all the money and wallets that fall out of pockets during launch (yes it goes vertical and shakes like a real launch). Pay the extra and do a tour of Kennedy, everyone does the up close and personal tour but I found the History tour was much better, takes you to all the old launch pads and bunkers for a hands on experience, the up close and personal tour never lets you off the bus at the launch pads. Be sure and drop in to RonJons surf shop at Coco Beach, its awesome, even if you dont like surf stuff and street wear it is worth the look.

Thats just Orlando, Sooooooo much more to see, oh and while in LA, dont pay the money to see the Queen Mary, its boring but the Russian Scorpion submarine tour next door is worth the money. Noting else in LA is worth seeing in my opinion, especially in winter. A quick trip out to Vegas is definately worth the drive, just an awesome place, we did it as a day trip, very long day but it would be better to stay a few nights, you have Hoover dam and Grand Canyon within reach then too.

Cheers, Dennis.

[Deeno]

Thanks Mozzie
Hows Coffs?

　
Will come around quick!

　
Cheers
Will do
　
　
[QUOTE=iceman;537439]Awesome Deeno - can't wait to see the pics
　
Thanks Mike
Will bore everyone crazy!

　
Funny you should say that, have a very nice set of 20x80 binos, thanks to the door prize at Lostock
Not going out of our way to find organs!

　
Thanks Gary
You ARE the man
　
　

　
Thanks
Must see

　
Thanks for the info Dennis
May never leave Orlando………..

[GTB_an_Owl]

have a good trip Deeno

geoff

[Rick Petrie]

As you leave all the stuff in Florida and 'westward ho the wagon' don't forget to stop off and see Kara and Co in Pensacola if you can.
Cheers mate and you and Amanda have a great holiday.
Can't wait to see all your snaps.
Merry Christmas.:xmas:

[RB]

Have a great holiday mate, we'll miss you at the PC.
I'm really looking forward to the photos.

Wishing you and Amanda a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Regards
Andrew

PS. Don't get caught with any Cubans over there. :lol:

[Deeno]

Cheers Geoff
Have a good Christmas.
Do you think the weather will be clear over there?




Yes, must get some details from you.




Thanks RB.
Many festive yuletide greetings to you, your family and chooks

PS. Maybe Dominicans are OK?

[wavelandscott]

While legal Dominican cigars and almost any "smoking product" are coming under more and more restrictions in public areas...fines apply!

Okay a few suggestions...bundle up in NYC and DC...it is winter! Gloves and beanie will be in order as will layers of clothing and good warm shoes.

Not for debate but for informaiton...Tipping/gratuity is expected for services (get lots of $1 bills) most anything (help with bags, getting a taxi) a tip is expected. A buck a bag is the standard and a couple of bucks for help getting a cab would be the norm. Rule of thumb minimum 10% tip at meals (before tax) is the service is below average...15% is average...20% great service. If soemthing is not to your liking tell teh server they will fix it.

New York - Broadway play - "Wicked" has gotten good reviews...See Times Square, Attend an Ice Hockey game at Madison Square Garden if you can. Visit Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center http://www.rockefellercenter.com/ While you are in New York you also must have a slice of Pizza...it is the real deal! If time allows walk inside Grand Central Terminal...the ceiling is worth a peek and in the afternoons they do a laser show during the holidays.

In DC see the Smithsonian and visit all of the memorials (Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Viet Nam, Korea and WWII)...take a stroll around the White House grounds and the Captial Building.

Once you get to Florida...check out NASA (lots to see and do) and hold as many of your of your shopping needs as you can until then...Orlando is the land of the "Outlet Mall"...If you have time, St. Augstine is also neat to see (although a bit of a drive from where you headed)...if you are interested in motor sports, don't miss Daytona (and the Daytona Experience).

Don't waste time at the beaches...Aussie Beaches are better!

Survive the drive across the pan handle and eat/drink in New Orleans...eat BBBQ every chance you get...Shoneys is a chain - cheap food average quality but they have all you can eat buffets (breakfast is not bad). At some point eat at a Cracker Barrell...you will see comfort food of the south there.

Be Safe...you've got a lot of driving ahead of you...get across Texas as fast as you can...Side track to Grand Canyon and see Las Vegas if you can...I really like the deserts around Phoenix...If you like architecture check out http://www.franklloydwright.org/fllwf_web_091104/Home.html and Taleisian (spelling)...

In California stop in to see Joshua Tree National Park...and lastly call in to OPT http://www.optcorp.com/contact.aspx for Astro gear before you head home.

Safe Travels!

[Spanrz]

Sounds like the deal Deano. Sounds like your trip is like mine, trip of a lifetime...
Haha. I've been watching the weather up there lately.
Hmm some spots have been getting down to -15C. Particularly the midwest.
I've bought my winter jacket, probably the thickest ever jacket I've ever bought and will ever need...... LOL!

Have a Safe trip.........

We'll be in NY on the 21st of Jan, head to Florida on Feb 2nd, hopefully watch the rocket go up the next day, cross fingers really badly and watch the Shuttle go up on the 7th, tour parts of Florida for a few days, we leave the 8th for New Orleans into the Mardi Gras and visit a Niece, then off to Kansas then back home via LA on the 13th.
We arrive just in time for the AC/DC concert in Melb. If that don't keep us going, nothing will.

Any observatories in Upstate NY? We'll we doing the North-South and East West of NY in it's entirety.

<sarcasm>
I wonder how many Telescope acc's you can send back from the USA, so that it doesn't catch the eye of customs????:hi:
</sarcasm>

[RB]

Yeah they'll do, BUT don't bring any back to the pony club !!!!

:lol:

[wavelandscott]

Where in upstate New York?

http://www.astronomyclubs.com/1/190/34/0/club.aspx

Attached is a list of New York Astro Clubs

Specifically here is a group in Tupper Lake that seems active.

http://www.apobservatory.org/pages/news.html

Bundle up and bring your snow shoes and skies!

[barx1963]

[QUOTE=wavelandscott;538385]

Not for debate but for informaiton...Tipping/gratuity is expected for services (get lots of $1 bills) most anything (help with bags, getting a taxi) a tip is expected. A buck a bag is the standard and a couple of bucks for help getting a cab would be the norm. Rule of thumb minimum 10% tip at meals (before tax) is the service is below average...15% is average...20% great service. If soemthing is not to your liking tell teh server they will fix it.

QUOTE]

Yep the tipping is a bit weird! Sometimes almost demanded, other times I offered and the person almost reluctant to accept. Something you have to get used to I guess.

Have a great trip!

[Tilt]

Thanks for the info Scott, I'll be heading over to the US myself in mid Jan, its good to know these things :)

Michael

[Spanrz]

Newburgh, Plattsburgh, Rochester...



Bewdy, thanks for the list. :thumbsup: I'll be bundling up.
I just hope I don't take the Melbourne skies with me.......:eyepop:
Seems a heap of us like the US snow, winter and the road trip to go with it........lol!