 |
||
|
||
|
The Family Tree Volume 17, Number 3, June 2011 A Publication of the SunTree Travel Club
Thought for the Month The SunTree Traveler
Post Mother’s Day at Mira Vista RESORT The weather was very nice at Mira Vista for our post Mother's Day visit there. The turnout was light, but we still got together on the room 23 patio for some snacks prior to going to do some serious eating at the Mira Vista restaurant. The new chef at Mira Vista has settled in after overcoming some early equipment and supply-flow difficulties. He brought with him some new and different specials of the day (at all three meals). The Mira Vista lounge gang joined in with the spirit of the club's theme for Saturday night with most of the participants in costumes of their favorite musical performer. It is always a good time to get together at Mira Vista.
Wildwood Camping Trip Cancelled We once again reserved the entire Wildwood Retreat Center and Resort for SunTree on the first weekend of June (3 - 5). But, as Bobby Burns, the Bard from Scotland said, The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men … The post-Memorial Day camping trip to Wildwood Retreat Center and Resort had to be cancelled due to sabotage by a number of gremlins. Among our members, there were some health problem with some who had planned to show up and conflicts with job schedule for other would-be participants. The most effective gremlin, however was the unfortunate demon called "The Miller Fire". As of 25 May, the fire had been burning for over a month and had covered over 80,000 acres. Currently, it appears that the fire was started by some hunters who did not bother to observe the fire restrictions in the National Forest and were careless at their campsite in Miller's Canyon. The investigators have not yet completed their analysis, but I am certainly glad that I will not be the one paying the fine for that fire. The fire did not cause any damage to the Wildwood area, but the scheduling was unfortunate. New Mexico highway 15 was closed (and is still closed into the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument) blocking the way into Wildwood. That cause the SunTree campers some problems, but the owner of Wildwood had some surprises for us which he was unable to proceed with. That surprise was in the form of a new en-suite cabin and total reconstruction of the hot springs soaking pools. Because of the fire, his construction supplies could not be delivered. We still have plans to go to Wildwood in late August (or possibly early September) so watch this website for further information.
The Morning Party in The Eastern Sky Fades Evening: In the early part of the month, Saturn can be seen about half way up the southern sky. As the month proceeds, it will slowly drop lower in the sky, but by month's end, he will still be visible above the horizon. The rings are starting to open up a little each month and by mid-September will be dazzling. If you have a telescope, or even binoculars, you might want to look at Saturn in the second week of the month. He will be extremely close to the double star Gamma Virginis (Porrima). Both bright opjects will be within the fram of your instrument. This year, the Moon has decided to fly a calm path rather than getting extreme. The path of the Moon this year should be about the same path as the Sun. on the night of 9 and 10 June, you will be able to find the Moon since it will be below bright Saturn. On 26 June, the Moon will pay a visit to Jupiter. Morning: All of the exciting characters in the morning sky from the last couple of months have decided to take a rest. Venus has dropped in the eastern sky so much that she is overwhelemed (even at magnitude -3.8) by the brightness of the rising sun. Mars had faded that it is not worth even trying to see him in the morning sky. If you are up early, look for Jupiter, he is somewhat bright in the pre-dawn sky. He is getting up three hours before sunrise to do his part in adding interest to the morning sky. Summer arrives in the northern hemisphere with the solstice on 21 June at 11:16 AM Mountain Daylight time.
© 2004 SunTree Travel Club - Site updated Spring 2012 |
||
What Happened in May