CHECKING OUT THE AREA TO THE WEST

Monday, we left the campground and headed west to check out the roads etc.  It was a nice partly cloudy day with a high of 20C.

The riding took us through some small towns and more mountains. The area had ranches with some cattle spotted throughout them.

  

For lunch we stopped at a restaurant in a small town called Fort Davis.

It was busy with the town’s people attending so we knew it would be good. It was, and when I went to the washroom the sink was a galvanized 2 gallon pail with the plumbing hanging over it for hot and cold water and the drain was attached to a hole in the bottom centre of the pail. The toilet area was separated by a shower curtain in both the mens’ and womans’ washrooms.    

We came upon the McDonald Observatory so decided to check it out. There are a total of 8 various telescopes located here.

This shows the height at which the telescopes are located.

We arrived just in time for the tour and an orientation of the site and facilities. The view from the peak on which the telescopes are placed was spectacular.

View of road we took.

The Director’s house is located just below them providing him with an outstanding view to wake to every morning.

Director's house built in the 1930's.

Astronomers from all over the U.S. are able to book time on the telescopes and live in the quarters provided. If however the skies are cloudy, they are out of luck and have to rebook. 

The Hobby-Eberly (one of largest optical telescopes in the world).

Telescope with the grey section of the wall that opens. The whole roof rotates around for a view in any direction.

We saw this deer and his buddy checking out the observatory as well.

After visiting the observatory today I had to check out the skies before going to bed. This area is known to be extra dark for good star gazing and there appeared to be many more than I recall seeing at home, and they sure did appear brighter. It was much easier to identify the usual star clusters.

When we arrived back at the campground we had to pack up what we could to get ready for an early departure on Tuesday.

Our evening sunset.

 

On the road tomorrow....