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My Dad does have a pretty good Mead telescope. He got it for Christmas, and I know it was about a $800 - 1000 range machine. The trouble is that we tried to view the larger stars and saw only a bright light upclose. We even bought a higher powered lense. The only thing we can see in interesting detail is the moon. :o( Maybe we need to take a class to learn how to use it. It just seems that we'd be able to see about as much moon detail with a cheaper, low quality telescope. I know we should be able to see more.

Take your 'scope to a star party.

There's always one somewhere in CA.

There will be people there willing to help you figure out how to use the Meade.

Try the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society

http://www.skywatchers.org/

Sally,

Forget about looking at individual stars through the telescope. The stars are so far away that you won't be able to see a disk, only a pinpoint of light. You need to look at other things. Start with Jupiter and it's moons. You will probably see the bands across Jupiter's disk and at least 4 moons (if they arn't behind Jupiter at the moment). Then go to Saturn and see the rings (if they arn't edge-on at the time of year you are looking). Go to Uranus and you might see a blue-green disk (with no features). Get a sky chart and hop-scotch your way from one point of light to the next and you might actually see Pluto! (but doubtful if you only bought a $1,000 telescope).

Best objects besides the big planets are the galaxies and nebulas. And the occasional comets!

At any rate, it's a great reason to bond with your family outside at night while sipping some hot chocolate!

As the cruise line advertising says..."GET OUT THERE"!
LOL!
Enjoy the time with your Dad.