My first expierence with a telescope was when I found my self walking around the local shopping center. I went into jerry gibbs camera house and I instantly feasted my eyes on a lovely 12" dob. That was earlier this year.
I saved up my pocket money (Being a kid) and eventually brought it for 1200 dollars. Since then I have been to dark skies only once
but with spring coming I will be doing more observing with my babie ( The telescope). After an extremely embarrasing incident I left my dust cap on so I was observing with a 50mm for 2 months
.