DesertBlog

One Weekend, Two National Parks

The weekend of October 25-26 offers two opportunities for friends of the desert to gather in or near two of our favorite National Parks units.

On the evening of Oct. 25, the National Parks Conservation Association will hold a celebration of the skies of Mojave National Preserve, featuring an astronomy presentation, as well as opening remarks by Mojave Preserve Supt. Dennis Schramm. The event begins at 5:00 at the Preserve’s Black Canyon Equestrian Center Campground, and participants are invited to bring their camp gear and spend the night for free. RSVP by e-mail to Mike Cipra: mcipra AT npca DOT org. Click here for more info.

The next day, trek down to Twentynine Palms for DPC’s annual meeting. More info here and here. RSVP to Terry Weiner by October 23 at 619-342-5524 or e-mail: TerryWeiner AT sbcglobal DOT net.

Some folks, such as DPC board member and wilderness activist Geoffrey Smith, are planning to make a National Parks crawl out of it and attend both events. Google Maps has it as a 3-hour drive, so you’ll need to hit the road at o’dark thirty to make it to Pat Flanagan’s nature walk at 8:30 a.m. in Twentynine Palms.

Photo: The vast skies of Mojave, David Lamfrom, 2008.