Camping trip - April 17, 18th Magdalena, NM

[alia176]

I bought tickets for both nights for the 22nd annual Enchanted Skies star party. The plan is to depart Abq around noon (or earlier if possible) and head to Magdalena.

Once you register, they'll email you a pdf with directions but it looks to be about 15min West and North from Magdalena. This is not a wheeling trip but should be fun to learn about our galaxy. Sounds like the "dark sky site" will be dry camping (no hookups).

Check out their schedule, it should be really interested for adults and kids. Tours of the VLA and other fun activities are on tap.

If you're interested, post up. It's time to leave that couch folks, camping season is upon us. Spring cleaning can wait.

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http://www.enchantedskies.org/
copy/paste:

“Enchanted Skies Star Party” in Magdalena, New Mexico
Friday April 17th 4PM through Saturday night April 18th, 2015.
Family friendly guided star viewing by night with daytime activities. Knowledgeable Astronomers from New Mexico Tech, The Very Large Array, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, and Magdalena Astronomical Society will be on hand for fascinating programs. This event is open to all and will take place on Cibola National Forest Land a few miles from the Village of Magdalena.

 

[OGBeno]

^^^^ Nice.

VLA rules.

 

[Dumpolina]

REALLY wanted to make this... just not in the cards
May have to reschedule my own star party

 

[NMrockeater]

How was your trip Ali! How did the 4Runner do?

 

[alia176]

I wished we had less clouds and winds so that the stars could've been seen more clearly. It's a cool event, lots of high power telescopes setup in a large field and you get to see all kinds of stuff and hear lots of info from star nerds.

The most memorable part was looking at Jupiter and be able to see her moons and her belts, all through a 140 year old telescope. That was amazing. The camera lens on my phone broke so no pics of that telescope.

We also checked out the Kelly mine site and just walked around the town of Magdalena. 4Runner did great and pulled the Roo with aplomb. The 80 is going to get a well deserved break from tow duties.

 

[marcfj60]

How much does the 4Runner weigh and does it have a 4 or 5 spd auto? What sorts of fuel economy numbers are you getting from it?

 

[alia176]

Marc,

Gross weight is 5120, curb weight 4025 - Edmunds.com

Fuel reqd is Premium, I use 86/91 depending on the moon and the planets alignment.. Mpg is 16-22 depending on my right foot. 4.7 with a 5sp auto. 15mpg with Kamparoo last weekend, 21mpg previous tank.

Yes, this thing is speedy!

 

[jstncse]

4000# is less than my 40 weighs without the hard top.

 

[NMrockeater]

Star nerds lmao! Does the kamparoo have brakes?

 

[alia176]

Star nerds lmao! Does the kamparoo have brakes?

Yup - electric and mech parking brakes.

 

[NMrockeater]

Did you install a brake controller in the runner? How was that install

 

[alia176]

This thread is going off track.

 

[Poupon]

oh man .. I need to mark down the star event for next year. Sounds cool!

 

[NMrockeater]

Ok ok lol sounds like a fun trip and interesting information being shared at the event.

 

[alia176]

If it was a tad warmer and less windy, would've been even better. Another event is happening in Oct, should be better temps and winds.