One of those GREAT nights

Saturday, September 19, 2009 will be remember by many of us as one of those nights were the weather gods made up for a summer of rain, clouds, and fog. While a core of volunteers showed off the wonders of a great sky to over 100 atop Greylock, a dozen or so of us gathered on Arunah Hill to take advantage of the great skies.

Comfortable temperatures, low humidity, transparent skies, and improving seeing made for great views of the Summer Milky Way, Jupiter, and the rising galaxies of fall. Add to that two passes of the IIS, and an angelic apparition courtesy of a NASA sounding rocket... not a bad night.

September Workday... Drizzle and Fog

The calendar still says it's still summer, but it was a raw fall day on Arunah Hill for the September workday. Temperatures hovered around 60 degrees, and drizzle was a constant. The observing events planned for the evening on Skinner Mt and Notchview were canceled.

Still, alot was accomplished. Matt Paine and I helped Ernie Z get the backhoe back on the tractor, then Joe Z used the tractor to spread some gravel, then Tom Walker, Peter Scherff and Joe put the backhoe to good use, digging a trench and berm on the north side of the road just below the Gaertner. Hopefully this will give the water a place to go and diminish the frequency of our washouts.

Ray Burk stopped by the hill, then headed off to Ashfield to participate in a Berkshire community event that included a light pollution session.

Matt and I made a quick run to Cummington Supply for stovepipe for a quick repair on our woodstove. It's amazing how much stock that tiny store has. The stove is now ready for winter.

Barry Hervieux, Matt, and I then did some trail maintenance. A 14" pine had closed off the Pileated Path just past the summit, and it took some creative sawyering to get the trail back in shape. We also started working our way down the Amanda trail until the chainsaw fuel gave out.

Jonathan Klinkowski make some great burgers, and we brainstormed a design and location for our "kiosk" sign. All in all, a productive way to spend a rainy day. Thanks to all who helped out.