Escapees March-April 2024

EVANNE SCHMARDER is sure she got the wanderlust bug from her grandparents. In 2000, she and her husband, Ray, set o ff on their own adventure. Eighteen-plus years later, they’re still roaming the country, sharing interesting destinations and cooking up delicious RV kitchen recipes in their popular We, as individuals, may never walk on the moon or experience atmospheric entry but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream. Lay down a blanket, set up a couple of chairs in an unobstructed spot, take a leisurely stroll around the park, and look up. The celestial wonders await your discovery. Exceptional Stargazing Delights No matter your whereabouts, a simple gaze into the night sky can unfold celestial wonders, particularly on a crisp, moonless night. Yet, for those earnest about immers ing themselves in the stellar spectacle, numerous accessible locations beckon. Many national lands present night-sky programs, including some of my favorite off-the-beaten-track gems, each boasting the coveted Dark Sky status: Capital Reef National Park (Utah), El Morro National Monument (New Mexico), Petri fi edForest National Park (Arizona), Big Cypress National Preserve (Florida) and Obed Wild and Scenic River (Tennessee). Undoubtedly, a standout among North America’s premier stargazing destinations is Big Bend National Park, along with the encompassing Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina emerges as another superlative hotspot, holding the distinction of being the sole Dark Sky-certi fi ed site on the Eastern Seaboard. The western states: Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, and Oregon boast an abundance of outstanding Dark Sky opportunities, as you’d expect. Meanwhile, Minnesota, Michigan and Maine are proud homes to globally renowned dark skies. SkyPilots

STARGAZING 101 Yearning to explore the cosmos and behold gem-like stars, meteors, planets and even the Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies visible from North America? You’ll need a dark sky and strategic timing. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your night-sky adventures: • Take in a planetarium show to learn more about our heavenly bodies and to build excitement. • Plan your star trip by identifying dark skies along your travels. You can do so on the DarkSky.org website or by visiting LightPollutionMap.info. • While a full moon’s celestial trek is enchanting, its brightness hinders visibility. Plan your celestial adventure during the new moon or the crescent waxing or waning cycles. • Keep an eye on the weather; cloudy skies are a non-starter. • Stargazing is enjoyable year-round, with winter’s cool, dry air and long nights offering optimal condi tions. Summer, despite its short nights, is ideal for spotting numerous constellations, the July/August Delta Aquarids and mid-August peak of the Perseids meteor showers, and the Milky Way, visible between June and August over North America. • Enhance your celestial knowledge with the SkyView Lite app, identifying constellations, planets, the International Space Station, the Hubble Telescope andmore. • While much can be observed with the naked eye, consider binoculars or a lightweight telescope for a more nuanced view. Unsure about equipment? Consult your local stargazing club or a specialized shop. Photography enthusiasts can fi nd valuable insights on night-sky photography from various websites. • To see where you are going and to see the stars, usea red fl ashlight, ideally one made speci fi cally for astronomy. Why? Red light helps maintain night vision. You will also want to apply a red fi lter to your smartphone to help keep your night vision sharp.

RV TV series, RVCookingShow.com.

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ESCAPEES Magazine March/April 2024