[Garrybk (Garry)]

Hi
My name is Garry. I only recently joined IIS. I've had it book marked as a favorite for a long time. I'm 58, but didn't get my first telescope until I was past 50. I've always had a interest in space. But as a kid I didn't have the money or family life that encouraged me to build a telescope. As an adult I along with my wife raised three boys. I was enlisted in the military so with the expence of raising kids there was no spare money. Every year I would take the local Boy Scout troop to summer camp, and I always bought a planisphere in hopes of learning the constelations. Finally a few years ago my wife bought me a telescope from Wal-mart for Christmas. I thought it was great. But i quickly learned it was junk. But it got me started. i then bought an Orion XT8, Now that is a TELESCOPE. I started getting books, joined an Astronomy club. I have since upgraded to an xt10i. I also have a Sky-Watcher 102mm refractor, Starblaster and a 1960's Sears 60mm refractor.
My home is in Mountain Home, Idaho- which is in the North Western United States. And although we are a hemisphere apart this a great Astronomy website and I appreciate being able to belong.
Mountain Home has only 12,000 people in it, but I and some friends are putting on a star party Sat for the 100 hrs of astronomy as the local Soccer park.
Thanks For letting me be a member of such a great web site

Garry