Big Bend Ranch SP on October 18th!

Louise Hose · #1 09-18-2008, 10:50 AM

Big Bend Ranch State Park, west Texas, is having a big event on Saturday October 18th. Mikey and I plan to attend, arriving Friday afternoon/evening. (Paul is currently scheduled to be on shuttle console that weekend, or he'll be there.) Lots of stuff to do and most of it is free! I think the big-wigs are filling the ranch house and bunk house, but I've reserved a camping spot. I'm also signed up for the geology tour and 2 pm horseback ride (both free!). Anyone else game? The info is at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...h/fiesta/#rsvp

For new folks, this is a desolate but really neat, fly-in park with a looooong, paved runway. We've had two VAF events at the park that you can review to get a taste of the place: http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ighlight=BBRSP and http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ighlight=BBRSP and http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ighlight=BBRSP and there is even more, if you do a search.

For you single guys, Paul will tell you that it is a great place to pick up a woman!!!

Love to see some other folks join the fun.

zilik · #2 09-18-2008, 09:17 PM

Got to talk to the wife and see if we can go. LOE is the weekend before.

Sure sounds like a lot of fun.

LifeofReiley · #3 09-18-2008, 10:06 PM

This is a great place... My wife works for Dan Sholly and the TPWD as a Staff Officer for the State. Dan ran Yellowstone for many years and many other great parks. Don't miss this place! It's GREAT!

-d-

the_other_dougreeves · #4 09-18-2008, 10:24 PM

The CT fly-in is that weekend at Page, AZ. I might try and get to both events - BBSP is basically on the way ... sort of ... not really, but hey, all in the name of fun!

TODR

Louise Hose · #5 09-19-2008, 09:17 AM

I'm not leading the trip. It will be my first "ground-truthing" trip to the Solitario.

Ironflight · #6 09-19-2008, 11:02 AM

Well nuts, we might slip the Shuttle flight a couple of days, but I doubt it will be delayed long enough to make this .... I guess I'll just have to hear about it when Louise gets home!

Paul

ScottSchmidt · #7 09-22-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Well nuts, we might slip the Shuttle flight a couple of days, but I doubt it will be delayed long enough to make this .... I guess I'll just have to hear about it when Louise gets home!

Paul

I would love to fly down. I want to be back in Texas drinking some Shiner Bock with other RV'ers. I think Copperstate is the weekend after this though.
Lots going on.

Hi Paul, I've heard that both Shuttles are on the ramp right now and it will be the last time. Is that correct?
Any cool pictures or links to some pictures of this?

Ironflight · #8 09-22-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSchmidt

Hi Paul, I've heard that both Shuttles are on the ramp right now and it will be the last time. Is that correct?
Any cool pictures or links to some pictures of this?

Yup, this should be the last time we have two Shuttles on the pad at one time - the STS-125 mission bird, and my rescue ship (STS-400). Here's a link to a really nice photo on NASA's web site today:

http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/2...onpad_full.jpg

Paul

Bob Axsom · #9 09-23-2008, 01:49 PM

That is also the weekend of the Memphis 100 Air Race. Paul that photo of shuttles loaded on 39A and 39B at the same time is so GD beautiful it almost makes an old retired aerospace guy cry. You have the best deal and we both know it. When STS-52 was within a week or so of launch the Lambda Point Experiment Principle Investigator John Lipa (Stanford) decided that he did not want to launch with some diodes subject to a NASA ALERT left in the RF Heads so we had to go down to KSC and into the Payload Changout Room on 39B to replace them. It was a significant effort with a lot of experiment vulnerability even though controls were very tightly imposed and enforced by me, 1st person, at the site of the action. I had to miss a great fly-in that I had worked for months organizing to Capital Reef National Park to do the job. I was told by everyone what a great time they had on the fly-in and I am glad that it was such a joy for them but I wouldn't exchange my days on that effort at KSC for all the fly-ins that ever were or will be. Have a good mission.

Bob Axsom

Louise Hose · #10 09-24-2008, 08:07 AM

The Park has cancelled the "Fiesta" event on the 18th due to the flooding (see Chase's video in a separate thread...http://www.flybigbend.com/assets/mul...9-13_Flood.wmv).

The park is open, however, so I think Paul and I will sneak out there as soon as we both have a free weekend.