Contest Entry: Boötes Call
[Oh man, you gotta love this title, and anyone who names their truck Ad Astra is OK in my book… This entry is from Diann Nicolai, big thanks Diann!]
You know how it feels when you’re a bit off-beat. Things become mundane – your spirit’s flat. … I’ve been experiencing these… blahs …
Then I realized … I miss the sky. Last months star party got rained out and while I visit the stars at home – it’s just not the same. (I have a fair view of one corner of the sky, but – well you know light pollution, trees etc., lack of privacy, etc. …)
Our astronomy club enjoys a large open sky at a primitive spot in the desert. It’s wonderful and always renders the opportunity to rejuvenate the spirit. (It sure ain’t the body that gets rejuvenated – not with the objective of staying up all night. BUT the physical exhaustion is SO worth the spiritual boost).
Anyway, last Saturday afternoon, I received a call for an impromptu Star Party! Yeah and yahoo! I didn’t have much time to pack; because, travel time is 1 ½ hours plus the sun was heading West, BUT – NO Problem! I can do this – I NEED this – I DESERVE this.
Now, I need to side track a bit (I tend to do this, sorry). Ya see, as a Southern California girl, I have a fair idea about cold. I’ve been to parties in the winter. I mean the last one got down to 37 degrees, and I did just fine – (with a little heater, blankets and 1k layers of clothes – I was quite proud of myself). So, keeping this is mind ….
Back to the story – I rapidly packed Ad Astra (the name of my truck), said tootles to the family and I AM EXCITED. I’m ready to Paint the Sky with Stars!!
As I arrived at our “primitive” desert spot, the sun had just set. No Problem! It’s still dusk and the moon is crescent!
I say HEY to the friend parked next to me – and note about three other campers down the road.
Looking around I check out the desert. Every outing looks different. It’s beauty is it’s starkness. The sky is huge, a bowl with low horizons. There are a few clouds, but they’ll pass and the temps are low 50’s – very, very nice …. Sigh.
Now, to work!
Myself: Oops! How did you forget the tool box … grrr?
Me: No problem! (My friend loans me a hammer and stakes to keep the tarp down).
Next, to set up the scopes, find Polaris, consider what to view tonight.
Myself: No! You forgot the star books … grrr!
Me: No problem! I can do this without books.
Then, to set up a bed (inside Ad Astra – in case I decide to take a nap).
Myself: What! How did you forget the sleeping bag … grrr!
Me: (oh dear!)
Myself: It’s going to get cold!
Me: Yes! But, No problem!! I have a comforter and a propane heater and 1k layers of clothes! (Secretly – she’s probably right – but, I’m here and there’s nothing to do about it - yet, I put on two more layers).
Ahhh! Now this is why I so love this place! Beautiful! Little Luna is a tad bright, but she’ll set in a few hours. No problem! I’ll enjoy her shadows.
Myself: It’s getting colder!
Me: Ok – ok! I’ll put on a couple more layers and extra socks!
Myself: You better hit “the head” first. It’s such a pain with all those extra clothes!
This is the one part I’m not fond of – hiking out to the bushes looking for a bit of privacy. (Except these “bushes” are large stick shrubs – as in very, very few leaves)! – No Problem! It’s so dark my “moonshine” won’t be noticed. (Dad-burn-it! It is getting cold)!
So, back at the scopes … My scope was tracking Orion’s nebula. The neighbor friend stopped by and said “Ahh – The Trapezium!” Then he showed how, by upping the power, we could (possibly) see the Trapezium’s “e” star … and we did!!! WOW!!
This was the high point of the evening!!
At star parties, I try to take time for a rather personal ritual (someday I may share details). But, briefly – I truly strive to touch the sky. First, I give tribute to my favorites like the double cluster near Cassiopeia, and the Beehive cluster (I love open clusters! So, elegant!). BUT, tonight I’m struggling!
Myself: Lordy! Girl it is so cold!!
Me: I have everything on! Six layers!! I can barely zip the down coat!
Myself: Ok! Light the heater! Use it to de-numb the fingers.
Me: Right! I’ll sit next to it with the comforter.
No Problem! The chill’s the thrill! I’ll just sit still and comb the sky with my brand new spiffy Christmas binoculars.
My neighbor was imaging a galaxy (far, far away). So, as the computer did it’s thing. He turned in for a nap.
Myself: We need a nap too. Just long enough to warm up. Put the heater in the back of the truck bed.
(The Ad Astra has panels completely covering the truck bed).
Me: Ok, but I’m taking the first panel off. I want to comb the sky (as usual).
Myself: Fine! Fine! But these toes are numb! god – it is cold! Take the shoes off and put the socks and feet on the heater.
Me: Yeah, you’re right. Forget the binoculars. We’ll curl up in the back with the heater and comforter – and peek at the stars from the tailgate. No problem – tis a plan!!
And then I slept! I figured this was a good thang cuz it helped to pass the time. BUT, my heater ran out of fuel. No Problem! I had a spare on hand with a liquid-bic-type-lighter! BUT, the fuel in the lighter froze! (Can fuel freeze? WhatEVER! It didn’t work!!!). I hunted for matches. NO MATCHES! My feet felt like they were in ice water. It was time to move to the cab of Ad Astra….BUT first …
Myself: Nooo! Not another potty break!!
Me: If not, we’ll be too uncomfortable to sleep – sleep will help endure the cold.
Myself: We’ll have to drop our drawers!!! It is sooo cold!!
After much complaining (and a trip to the shrubs) I moved the comforter to Ad Astra’s cab and curled tight!
My mind started to wander (sounds kinda funny from someone who’s already talking to Myself).
Myself: (Shaking) No amount of blankets could make me warm! 6 layers! We’re in 6 layers and my bazookas are frozen!
Me: (Oh god! She is so right!) Hey! Remember the movies where some guy is sick. He’s shivering and they can’t get help. So this sweet, young thang says, “Oh, ok … I’ll strip down – and lay with you so you can get warm!” … and she does and he’s saved!
Myself: So you wanta get naked in the starlight? (Not again …)
Me: (laughing) Well, it wouldn’t work anyway - I’m not a sweet, young “thang”.
Myself: You’re one of the three (laughing)!
Me: Yeah! Yeah! That is true! I know! We could walk down the road to the other campers. I’ll knock on one of the little trailers. This guy’ll answer. “Please. I need help!”
He’ll be all concerned and say, “What do you need?”
“Well, would you mind terribly if I stripped and climbed into your bed. I’m just so freakin’ cold!”
Myself + Me: (Laughing out loud) That would be funny – Yeah! We’ll explain it’s strictly for safety!
Well, the conversation was entertaining and it helped to pass the time till dawn! NOT, dismissing the sky, of course! Throughout the conversation I still paused to awe at the beauties as they rose above the eastern horizon.
Finally, Venus signaled the coming of dawn. I love the dawns and this one was crystal clear. Shades of warmth in the east fading to pale blue with Venus, in all her bling, making a show. (I believe she was a tad disappointed that her favorite flirts, Mars and Orion, had “set” (wink) …. Well, later in the month she’ll catch up – and that’ll be another story …).
With Venus in the sky I hoped my fellow astronomers had finished imaging and it would be safe to turn on the truck (I hadn’t for fear the head lights would effect their work). But, I was really looking forward to the heater!!!
THEN I SAW THE THERMOMETER!! MY STARS!
It was 27 degrees!!
My glasses were frozen to the comforter.
How bazaar is that!! I had to laugh!
Ice was every where. Not frost – ice!
Normally, I take time to enjoy the morning as I pack up; but, there was no comfort. I worked ASAP (with little cooperation from my fingers).
How cold was it?!?
Well, I needed a crowbar to open the Pelican case that stores the scope.
And … I tried to eat a banana, but I couldn’t peel it – it was ½ frozen.
No Problem – I laughed!
Wow, what an experience!!
And, I did see a glorious sky!!! And, this Southern California girl found out what it is to freeze!
Myself: Gee, not bad girl! With teamwork, we can really pull it off – when the reward is worth the effort.
Me: What effort?
It was too cold for my secret ritual (of touching the sky); but, my spirit was refreshed and I was ready for the world (with a great story …. ?)
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3 opinions for Contest Entry: Boötes Call
Andrew Cooper
Jan 18, 2008 at 11:11 am
Great reading! I see I have some good competition. How often I have gone through similar experiences in the Arizona desert during winter observing. The odd part is that things have not changed since moving out to the island. Up at 9,000ft on the Mauna, it can still be quite cold. We had a heavy dew last weekend and around 10pm it all froze! Ice on all the gear, my pen froze to the table top. Me in all my cold weather gear, boots, ski pants, and still getting cold. Still the sky was too glorious to leave!
joy saelens
Jan 29, 2008 at 5:59 am
Diann; Enjoyed reading your article and had some pretty good laughs!! Great job.
Silvia
Jan 31, 2008 at 9:49 am
Loved your story Diann…I’d be surprised if you didn’t win this contest!!
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