Burlingame State Park, 9/15-17/2006

One by one, the eager campers who wanted to drive up to Burlingame State Park on Friday were discouraged by the weather. I ended up driving out alone in the rain, but when I got to the park the rain had stopped. I paid $40 for two nights at site 412B, but could only find site 412. Finally, a ranger explained to me that the park map says 412B but the site is really just 412. B means two cars are allowed on the site. Isn’t that obvious?

Denise arrived early on Saturday, and we hiked part of the way around Watchung Pond before the others arrived. We were joined by Ken, Athmane, David G and Frank and took another site, 409C. What is the significance of the "C"? I leave that as an exercise for the reader.

Ken and Athmane brought kayaks which we took to a small beach by Watchung Pond. We took turns paddling on this large and calm body of water.

With cheap wood from Walmart, we build a fire on site 409. Around 11 PM, we jumped into our cars and drove to the ball field where Frank had set up his telescope. The sky was a little hazy, but we could still see Andromeda and some globular clusters through the scope. I saw a number of shooting stars with my naked eyes.

After packing up on Sunday, we drove to one of the local ocean beaches. Ken and Athmane drove on in search of a bay (their kayaks are not sturdy enough for the ocean). Frank, David G and I went swimming in the ocean; it was rough getting past the breaking waves and fun after that. As we dried off, David G beat me in a game of chess.

Denise and I ended the day meeting Ken and Athmane for dinner at Captain Jack’s, a nearby seafood restaurant.

David Levner