One last road trip - suggestion wanted!!!

[HFMarshburnJR]

I am packing my gear up and heading west again for a little different experience before I leave my semi-retired life to re-enter the workforce after Labor Day. After my last trip out west I can't stop thinking about the possibilities that a clear night sky with little light pollution can bring. So this time I am setting off with two destinations in mind - the Very Large Array outside of Magdalena , NM and MacDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains. I will have a pretty full to full moon during my trip, and a full lunar eclipse to work with, as well as (I hope) some monsoonal thunderstorm activity. My plan is to route my way out to NM first and return through the Davis Mountains. Anything that I should put on my "don't miss" list for this trip?

HFM

[Dobick]

I would think a full moon coming up in White Sands would be an awesome opportunity. Also very nearby is carlsbad caverns which is great when and if the weather doesn't cooperate.

[studiocygnet]

Coming back from the VLA, go through Hatch NM and pick up some Chiles. Their Chile Festival is Labor Day weekend. Also a town a little northwest of Hatch, called Hillsboro, has their Apple Festival that same weekend.

[adirty1]

Hit Pie Town just west of the VLA. Get there before 3pm I believe they close at 3pm. Best damn pie around and great food too. It's probably not but 30 minutes or so from the vla you blink you might miss it.

[Texentric]

I'll second the recommendation for White Sands Natl. Monument, and in fact would say it is a far better destination than the VLA. The VLA IS cool and all, but in the end it's just a bunch of satellite dishes pointed in the same direction. Depending on when you go, they may be pointed in the "wrong" direction for the best light/shot. I have been to both and feel that you will get more bang for the buck at White Sands. That being said, you SHOULD still go and visit the VLA anyway just because. The distance isn't that big a deal compared to Texas. :) Just my two cents.

[venchka]

No clue where the VLA is. I am most partial to Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument outside Santa Fe, Chama, N.M. & the steam trains. I haven't been yet, but Tent Rocks is intriguing. GOOGLE knows about all of this.

Smacks his head hard! DUH! Palo Duro Canyon!

[Texentric]

For Wayne, this is what we are referring to. If you'll notice the dishes are not always pointed in your favor. Not only will your shots depend on the weather and the time of day, but also on which direction the people at the VLA are scheduled to point them, and how they will be arranged. They move on railroad tracks. They are also spread out on both sides of the highway. For this reason your visit may be hit or miss with more variables than just the weather and time. That's why I think it shouldn't be a destination but a stopping point on the way to somewhere else.

[venchka]

I just didn't know Where. Any trip west of Amarillo is a good trip. Any trip west AND north of Amarillo is a great trip! That part of the world is Large Format territory!

Have fun!

[jeffkohn]

I'd definitely recommend White Sands. If you either leave or come home on I-10 it won't be too far out of the way.

If you do go there and decide you want to shoot sunrise, you should know that the entrance doesn't open to 7:00am and you can't just drive in earlier than that (I found this out the hard way). You either need to camp there overnite (primitive site only), or make special arrangements to get in earlier. Making the arrangements costs extra (not sure how much), and you have to do so several days in advance. If that's something you want to do, let me know as I have the contact info for the person you need to talk to.

[jeffkohn]

Hey Jorge, nice shots that second one in paritcular is really great.

[HFMarshburnJR]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. My itinerary is firming up and I am definitely going to include White Sands in the mix. The whole focu of this trip is going to be sunset / night time (under a full or near full moon) / star trail / lunar eclipse photography. I am hitting the road tomorrow morning and I will be gone for about a week. If I get anything edited on the road, I will try and post a few samples. If not, then they wil be coming to you late next week.

I am off for the clear air. Thanks again for the suggestions.

HFM