Repeat Performance at Wildwood

This posting of the SunTree newsletter was delayed in order to report on the August camping event of the club.   For the second year, are enjoying the wilds of the Gila National Forest at a commercial camping spot called Wildwood Retreat and Hot Springs.  That is a different name from the place where we went last year, but it is at the same location and under the same ownership.  Last year, this was the Wildwood Resort.  The new name reflects the new direction that the owners wish to pursue in their business.  It seems that they were encouraged in their plans based, in part to the success of the SunTree campers from last year.  They now believe that the success of their business will depend a lot on attracting groups like SunTree and others looking for a quiet, pleasant place for a weekend (or longer) retreat from ‘normal’ business-as-usual life.

Changes and upgrades to the Wildwood facilities were obvious.  The work apparently spent in keeping the facilities cleaned and maintained added to the pleasant weekend. 

Some of the concerns that have been expressed in previous SunTree newsletters was partially answered this year.  Some (like me) slept in tents over the weekend.  There were more (vehicle) campers this year and one member arrived in his 32 foot mobile home.  He had no problems in negotiating the entrance road and suggested that a 35 foot mobile home would probably have no problems “if they are careful”.  That might put a little ‘fine tuning’ on the concerns expressed in the past.

Our weekend was, indeed a pleasant one at Wildwood.  Those who were camping with us last year but were unable to join us this year would have been amazed at our days of clear, blue skies in this year’s events.  We did have rains on Friday night and some who were unable to arrive by early or mid-afternoon were delayed in arriving due to the heavy rains on the roadways along the way.  The rain at Wildwood was not heavy, but it was steady throughout the evening on Friday. 

The clear skies on Saturday introduced a beautiful day for soaking in the hot springs, hiking the trails of the nearby Gila Wilderness area and just sitting around the campfire to pleasant discussion.  Sunday was another bright, sunny day.  I left at noon to get back to some obligations at home, but as I left, the soaking pools were still full of SunTree campers who made no indication of leaving anytime soon.  The owner of Wildwood made no objection about the campers hanging out longer than anticipated.   The owner, in fact encouraged the campers to remain and enjoy the day.

This was a great weekend.

What’s Happening in September?

It is to be hoped that the SunTree membership will have some reprensentation at this wonderful event.  That is guaranteed by the planned presence of your newsletter editor (who has made reservations for a Park Model for the event).  DeAnza Springs folks tell me that there are (as of this writting)two campers still available for rent.  Other than that, RV hookup and tent spots are still available.  If you are too late for that, then rooms are probably available at the Golden Acorn Casino just up I-8 from the club.

This is always a good time with lots of workshops, daily hiking trips (warning - attacking cacti) organized and otherwise games and discussion groups. If you have not been to one of these gatherings, then you should not get the impression that it is like a convention, it is not.  All planned activities are voluntary. If you want to veg-out by the pool with a good book or challenge someone to chess, that is alright also.

Over the years, your newsletter editor has met many wonderful people at these gatherings and tries to get back whenever he can to renew friendships and make new ones

Have fun.

Celestial News for September

Mighty Jupiter Reigns for September

Evening: It is getting to be the time of the year when the cloud of our fellow members of that exclusive club called The Milky Way is more easily visible with the haze of Summer fading.  Those of us at the Wildwood camping trip and again, those of us at the Western Naturist Gathering should have fantastic views of the Milky Way stretched across the dome of the sky from North-Northeast across the tentpole to the South-Southwest of the sky. Within that stripe of our galexie toward the northern end, we can see the big W (or is that an M?) of the constellation of Cassiopia.  Vega is stitting right on top of that tentpole just to the west of the stripe of the Milky Way.

Now, the prime shinners, our own fellow planets: Jupiter rises at dusk, on 21 August, and shines at its brightest since 1963.  He will be glowing at a magnitude -2.9. Jupiter dominates the sky all night long. Those of you who will be going to the Western Naturist Gathering with have an excellent view of the bright Jupiter from the dark deAnza-Borrego Desert night-time skies.

The usual bright sky-folks are undone this month: Saturn, who has been a big showoff over the last two months, is now moving into being lost in solar glare.

Mars who has been showing off his war-like might last month is now low and dim.

Venus, the many-times diva of the sky performance, despite brightening to a riveting magnitude -4.8 on 30 September is swallowed up in the solar sunset glare when she sets just an hour after sunset. 

The normally unabstrusive Uranus glows unusually bright(for him) This month.  You can find him hanging out next to Jupiter on 21 September (and nearby most of the month) when Uranus will be at his brightest.  You probably will still need a pair of binoculars to see him.

Interestingly, Uranus comes to opposition on 21 September, too so the two worlds stand side by side especially midmonth.

Jupiter’s close visit makes this a good time to own a telescope. Look for the full Harvest Moon on 21 September

Morning: I have noticed a very obvious presence every morning in the southeast when I go out to get my newspaper at 4:30.  It is our old friend, the Hunter, Orian and his faithful dog Sirius.  It is a nice morning greeting for me just as the eastern sky is starting to show hints that perhaps the Sun will, once again rise.

Fall begins with the equinox on 22 September at 9:09 PM MDT.