This year Fred, Al, Miguel, Eileen, Walter and myself went up a night early as volunteers. The Santa Cruz Astronomy Club mans the gate one day during the star party. The Albaughs sometimes put on a BBQ for the volunteers. This year it was at Barbara's. She is the "senior" of the family. This is her place - only a couple of miles from the GSSP field.

Ron and his scope.

This year, after a practice round down in Borrego Springs, I'm ready to image with my new camera. I upgraded to an SBIG STF-8300m w/filter wheel and Off-Axis-Guider.

John's Shade Cave with the SCAC banner. John was checking out an 18" Dob that was donated to the club.

Walter drove up with Jeff, who also towed Walter's astronomy trailer. Here's Walter getting organized.

The most important part of the star party is shade. This year every day was in the mid to high nineties. This was the hottest five days that I can remember. Back home in Sacramento the temperatures were setting records.

Walter's C11 on the Celestron mount. Note the dent on the OTA - there was a mishap in Walter's observatory and the telescope slid off the mount. It looks bad, but no damage to the optics. Whew!!!

Walter looking off to the south - probably looking for Jupiter - the first object to come out each night.

Bill arriving in his Mini. I'm always amazed that Bill can get all of his camping gear as well as his telescope into his car.

Bill tied up alongside Walter's trailer which gave Bill some good shade in the early morning. If you don't make some kind of shade arrangement, the Sun will turn your tent into a nice little oven not long after sunrise. Kind of tough if you've been up most of the night.

Bill setting up his scope.

John reclining in the Shade Cave. As usual, the Shade Cave was the most popular place to be. I think the temperature got up to 99 on one of the days.

Miguel and Eileen enjoying the shade.

One of the local restaurants in Bieber (about 10 miles away) put together a special menu for the astronomers. The food was good. I had probably the messiest burger ever and a milk-shake made with real ice cream. Mmmm!

John and Bill enjoying the shade while talking telescopes with a visitor.

Our other Bill getting set up. Bill has an AP 900 and Celestron 9.25" EdgeHD - the same as me.

Bill and Jeff's gear all ready to go. They both work with AP 900s.

Bill and Walter conferring.

Jeff, our president.

Walter and Terry. The Sun below the horizon and everyone starts to feel better. A quick shower just before dinner and we're ready to hit the scopes.

Miguel wandering around.

Bill taking a quick nap before getting ready for observing.

Waiting in line for dinner. Fred, Al, Miguel, Bill, Bill and Andy peeking around from behind. Walter on the far right.

Another dinner line. ?, Al, Ron, Fred, Bill. Back row: Walter, Bill, Jeff, Andy

Rich Ozer - the organizer of GSSP.

A view of our alley.

One evening we had an aerial visitor who flew around for a while.

A nice sunset.

Another nice sunset.

A different view of our alley.

Under the main tent. One night's speaker was a couple that sailed around the world. They talked about celestial navigation.

One fellow had a very large Dob.

Looking west toward Jeff and Walter's tents.

My tent and telescope on the left with John's big Dob and Shade Cave.

Everyone uncovering their scopes and getting ready. Once the sun set the temperature started going down and the nights were actually pretty pleasant.