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Good morning, all. I'm getting a realllllyyy slow start this morning. We were up in the Berkley Hills above Oakland last night at the Chabot Space and Science center. They have free viewing throug their telescopes open to the public on Friday and Saturday night. Well, since Mars is the closest it's been in 60,000 years (or thereabouts), everyone else apparantly thought it was a good idea, also. We stood in line for three hours to get our brief turn at the telescopes. The 16" telescope was trained on Mars. We could see the polar ice cap. Then there was the biggie - the 32". It was trained on the Ring Nebula. Verrrry interesting. Anyway, it got colder and colder while we were waiting, and then the wind started to blow up the hill off of the bay. It was close to 1:30 a.m. by the time we got home. I piled the blankets on the bed so I could warm up. I woke at my usual time this morning - I've never been one that could sleep in. So I'm really dragging today! I'd like to go back another time when the crowds thin out. They told us to come back in the winter - Saturn is visible, and it is supposed to be quite a sight! I'd also like to go during the day so we can tour the facility.