Observatory Destroyed...

Ahhh, no! I can't believe it. I'm soooo bummed for you.

I know the family and all puts things in the proper perspective (I was at the ER with my daughter just last night -- no big deal, just some stitches), but still. It must be really demoralizing -- it was coming along so well.

You *must* rebuild. Heck, the *rest* of us will never get over it if you don't!

Take care,
-- Jeff.

Hi Ivan,

Glad you and your family are well... that's all that matters.

GG

Hello Ivan!

I'm glad you and your family are fine.

I also lost my screen enclosure (half of it was in my pool) trees and lots of roof tiles and power. My family is fine. The "backside" of the storm was awful! I was amazed to see the milkyway the first few nights.

I am glad to have my power (and phones) back, but I do miss the stars.

Good luck with the recovery. Be careful driving!

Gregg

Hello Ivan,


I can sympathize. We've been hit by Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis in the last 14 months. I needed a new roof on my house after Ivan and two tress in my backyard were literally ripped at the roots and thrown on my neighbor's house. These were large trees with trunks over 2 feet in diameter. After Dennis my wife and I had a huge Oak tree that was 20 feet from the house removed as a precaution. It cost me nearly 2 grand for the removal, but sooner or later it would have demolished the whole back of my house. My backyard is now actually quite open and I get nice sky coverage.

Being without power is not fun, but do what I did and set up your scope each night and enjoy the dark sky observing. I did, and it made Hurricane Ivan just a bit easier to take. I bought a bag full of C batteries before the storm to use my scope if the power went out.


Kirk