Sat, Apr 7 2012 - Mason Mill Park Sunset Hike + Optional Moonwatch & Stargazing (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Charlie Cottingham Participants: Charlie Cottingham, Smitha, Brigitte, Ron, Sachi, Aaron, Tracey L, Summer, Tom Collins, Clare M

Write Up:
The spring weather could hardly have been more perfect this evening, and we ten had a fine time hiking a wide variety of trails along the south fork of Peachtree Creek near Emory.  Amazingly the mountain laurel and native azalea were already in full bloom in several places and we got a kick out of a little 4-year old boy on the boardwalk who proudly showed us the caterpillar he had just captured.
  Just after dark we celebrated "Easter Eve" by regrouping atop the park's high boardwalk for a splendid views of brilliant Venus, Mars, Sirius and Betelgeuse.
  It was fun having "kiwi" Aaron with us and his better half, Tracey, a scot.  They live quite near Mason Mill Park and have expressed an interest in becoming event leaders for the AOC!
  Thanks to Brigitte for treating us to some wonderful fresh apple strudel between the hiking and the stargazing and for bringing her nice dog Shasta along!  BTW, on June 5th Brigitte and I intend to offer an AOC participation event to view a very rare "transit of Venus" across the disc of the sun.  The next Venus transit won't occur until 105 years from now, in 2117!  -Charlie

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