Galactic Center of Milky Way Rising over Star Party
wlcastleman.com
The Big Bend Star Party
10/20/2011 — 10/22/2011
Big Bend Star Party (payment and questions)
c/o Dave Oesper
110 Haystack Mountain Dr.
Alpine, TX. 79830-3366
The Big Bend Star Party is a great opportunity for for clear sky viewing on a mountain top while visiting other star gazers under the dark skies of Sierra la Rana. McDonald Observatory is offering a special tour and lunch with the astronomers. The site of the Star Party has been selected to assure no direct lights will be visible.
The Star Party will be open to the public Saturday evening October 22 from 7-11 pm. A van will bus visitors from the front gate of Sierra La Rana to and from the star party site.
Horse Head Nebula
AstroShow.com
Camping Details
A special gate access code will be provided to registrants for use during the star party. Cost is $30 per person for three days of camping and star gazing. Only 30 attendees allowed. There will be electricity and 7 pad sites available. Porta-Potties will be on site and a limited amount of water and snacks provided but please come as self sufficient as possible.
Some of my readers may remember that I wrote a post last year about Discovery Green Park in Houston and how they were planning on making their opening a splash during the holidays, including an ice rink! Well, the weather did not cooperate and that Christmas was hot and dry. Not so this year, so go out and watch the ice skaters and take the kids. There are lots of activities for children with family. If you live or visit Houston this would be a great place to visit. While the kids are Wii gaming or pledging to read, you can relax and enjoy the day. Below are just SOME of the activities available. Remember: Visit the Event Weather Update before making plans.
Discovery Park Ice Rink!
Event Dates
Jazz on Ice 12/07 * 12/14* 12/ 21 * 12/28
Capital One Bank Night at the Ice 12/10
YMCA Skate 12/08 (bring your card for discount skate)
Skating with the Stars 12/13 * 12/20 * 12/27
Cool Tunes and Disco on Ice 12/17 * 12/20
Land Rover Skate with Santa presented by KUHF 12/18 * 12/20
IKEA Houston Silver Screen w/ Mix 96.5: The Polar Express 12/09/2010
IKEA Houston Silver Screen w/ Mix 96.6: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 12/16/2010
IKEA Houston Silver Screen w/ Mix 96.5:It’s A Wonderful Life 12/23/2010
IKEA Houston Silver Screen w/ Mix 96.5: Home Alone 12/30/2010
The Rink Rules
Admission
$10 plus tax, which includes a skate rental
Hours of Operation
Thanksgiving Day
11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Monday – Thursday (school days)
4 – 10 p.m.
Fridays, Saturdays, School Holidays
11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sundays
11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Christmas Eve
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Christmas Day
1 – 11 p.m.
New Year’s Eve
11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
New Year’s Day
11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Etcetera
You may bring lawn chairs, blankets and your dogs, except during special events. See the specific event listing to be sure. Please note that outside alcohol, glass containers, tables and pop up tents are prohibited.
Discovery Green is an outdoor facility and so is affected by the weather. Performers, times, dates and other schedule changes may occur. Visit the Event Weather Update page or call 713-400-7336, press option #1 to finalize your plans.
RV Parks in Area (Good Sam Parks)
Almost Heaven RV Resort is located south of Houston in a rural setting, with convenient access to the Houston Medical Center, as well as all the Sporting and Convention facilities. The resort has a fishing lake, shady spots and all amenities.
4202 Del Bello Road
Houston, TX 77578
(281) 489-8561
Rivers Inn RV Park is situated on 16 acres and has fish ponds and horseback riding. Golf and activities are closeby.
3602 Rivers Rd. CR 905
Pearland/Manvel, TX 77578
(866) 989-2600 / (281) 489-2600
The Historic Railroad District in Kingsland is anchored by the Antlers Hotel, a turn of the 20th century hotel. The district is spread out over 15 acres on the banks of Lake LBJ. There are woods, nature trails, orchard, and an 1800s log cabin with 4 docks that sits on the lake. There are many little cabins and cottages spread amongst the trees, around the orchard, close to the lake or to the Antlers Hotel. Most of these are for rent through the hotel.
The Antlers Hotel opened for business May 1, 1901 as a resort for vacationers traveling to the Hill Country by railroad. It closed its doors in 1923, not to reopen to the public until 1996. Today, the Antlers Hotel has six suites, all opening to the spacious front and back porches. The hotel is a recorded Texas Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Probably the coolest accommodations are the cabooses, each with small kitchen, living/dining area, bath with shower, TV, telephone, queen bed and two bunks. Or try the McKinley Coach, which is a fully-restored 1880s wooden train car, with small kitchen, TV, king bed, two twin beds and 1-1/2 baths. There is also a railroad depot that has been restored and moved onto the grounds that you may rent.
The rest of the district consists of Kings House, where the namesake of Kingsland lived. There is also a 1909 Victorian home that serves as the Junction Restaurant. Take a close look at this Victorian, you might recognize it from the movie, Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
