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Gold Head Branch State Park Star Party
October Star Party & Picnic
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Gold Head Branch State Park is secluded enough to offer the perfect setting for stargazing.
The skies are black and the stars are bright." [Source: Gold Head State Park Home Page]
Introduction • Registration & Fees • Star Party & Picnic • What to Do Now • When You Arrive • Friday Arrivals Early Departure • Other Activities • Cabin/Site Notes • Directions & Maps • Questions?
« GET INFO ON THIS PAGE AS A PDF FILE »
JOIN US at our second Gold Head Branch State Park star party and picnic dinner. The park is an easy, one-hour drive northeast of Gainesville, Florida, or about 1½ hours drive southeast of Jacksonville. Gold Head is set upon 2,366 acres of rolling sandhills, slopes, sinkholes, lakes and marshland.
During our first visit in 2006, stargazers spoke favorably of the amenities and surroundings. Cabins are spacious and comfortable. Tent and RV sites are a good value. Wildlife abounds within the park. Hiking, birding and canoeing are readily available. There's dark skies, too!
More Information About Gold Head Branch State Park
Home Page • Summary • Activities • Additional Info • Photo Gallery • Maps & DirectionsPlease take a few moments to register for this star party.You do not need to be a member of any astronomy club—but we do ask that you understand basic star party etiquette before arriving.Registration is just $4.00 per person (6 and under are free) and may be submitted (and refunded) up until October 6.
Registration Form: A pdf file. (Requires the free Adobe Reader Get it here if you do not have it.)
By registering, we will know how much food to provide at the picnic dinner, whether or not we'll require a picnic pavilion and how much telescope space will be available at the Boat Ramp.It will also enable us to get to know you, and help you meet others quickly.
What you get for registering:
- Picnic dinner on Saturday (4:30 pm – 6:00 pm). Bring your own beverages.
- A name badge to use at the picnic and star party–it glows!
- A list of registrants and their respective campsites sent prior to that weekend.
Registration does not include your camp site nor does it guarantee you a site.Before you register with us, you should contact Reserve America and make your site reservation. If you do not plan on staying overnight, you will need to pay the park entrance fee instead (in which case, send your registration without making a reservation). Here is a list of fees that might apply to your visit:
Entrance: Park entrance fee is included with camp site and cabin fees.
$4.00 per vehicle, up to 8 people (6 years of age and younger are free)
$3.00 single occupantCamp Site: $16.00 per site + tax Group Site: $4.00 per person Primitive: $4.00 per person (½ mile hike) Rustic Cabin (up to 4): $55.00 + tax Block Cabin (up to 6): $65.00 + tax ADA Cabin: $90.00 + tax
Prior to our Saturday night star party, we will have a picnic dinner from 4:30 pm until 6:00 pm. We'll provide hamburgers, hot dogs, black bean burgers, sides and utensils. Bring your own beverages. The picnic will be held at either the Picnic Area (if we expect a large turn-out) or behind Cabin 114 (a.k.a. "Cabin gum").
The Boat Ramp is just large enough to accommodate a medium-sized star party.However, if everyone were to park their vehicles there, we would only be able to set up 8 or 10 telescopes.Therefore, plan on dropping your equipment off and returning your vehicle to your campsite or other designated area. We'll keep an eye on your equipment while you are away.
Most camp sites have power outlets but there is no power available at the Boat Ramp. Bring a portable battery if you need power for your equipment.
There are light domes in several directions—perhaps exaggerated by the low horizons—but most of the southern horizon, as well as north and zenith, are excellent observing directions. Some of the northwest is obscured by trees depending on your set up location.
During the star party, Cabin 114 ("Sweetgum") will be open for use of the restroom and as a reprieve from the mosquitoes (or cold, whichever may be the case). This cabin is the closest to the Boat Ramp, about 150 feet away.
Please keep in mind that this is a state park and therefore we cannot restrict the actions and movements of other visitors.We will do what we can within park rules to dissuade the use of bright lights at the Boat Ramp but realize that star party etiquette may be breached by the unknowing public.
- Review the park map and make a list of your site choices.
- We recommend Cabins #101 – 113, particularly #110 – 113, and the LAKEVIEW camp sites #38 – 74.
- Some cabins may have a 2 night minimum requirement. Ask Reserve America for restrictions.
- Call Reserve America (1-800-326-3521) or visit their website to make your reservation.
- Next, complete our registration form and mail it with $4 per registrant. If you provide an email address, you will receive a confirmation from us. Mail to:
Alachua Astronomy Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 13744
Gainesville, FL 32604-1744
Please reserve your site early. This park may book up months in advance!
- Check in at the ranger station. Pay your park admission fee if you do not have a site reservation.
- Find your site or cabin; set up camp.
- Stop by Cabin 114 and sign-in (after 5pm on Friday or after 1pm on Saturday). You may also sign-in during the picnic dinner.
- Join us at the picnic beginning at 4:30 pm.
- At 6 pm, retrieve your equipment and take it to the Boat Ramp for the star party.
- Some stargazers will make a weekend of it by staying Friday night as well. These registrants will be indicated on the guest list, which will be emailed to you prior to that weekend.
LATE ARRIVALS
- If you plan on arriving after 5pm, you need to call park management and retrieve special entry instructions:352-473-4701.
- If you arrive after 6pm (after the picnic), you can still find your name badge at Cabin 114. Let yourself in and find your badge on the dining room table.
- If arriving after nightfall, scout out the Boat Ramp before bringing in your vehicle.
We really would appreciate it if you do not bring vehicles to the boat ramp after dark—for everyones' safety and dark adaptation.
- The logistics of the site will require most telescope operators to bring their vehicles back to the Boat Ramp for loading of equipment.Please be considerate with the use of your vehicle's lights (headlamps, tail lamps, back-up lights and interior dome lights). Try to synchronize your departure with others. Several of our stargazers plan to observe well past midnight.
- If you plan to leave the park without staying overnight, remember that there is a locked gate with a code.You should obtain that code from the park ranger when you arrive.
- Swimming and canoe rentals by the hour, half day or day ($4/$10/$20)
- Hiking & birding (four marked trails)
- Biking: an excellent way of getting around within the park
- Just relax under the shade of a tree!
- Children may wish to visit Cabin 114 during the star party and play their favorite board games (bring your own games; supervision is not provided).
- Consider sharing your cabin with others.The large block cabins have 3 beds in the living room and 3 more in the bedroom. Check your organization's bulletin boards and email lists for potential roommates.
- Cabins include plenty of amenities:AC, hot water, fridge, stove, microwave, sink, dishes, utensils, etc. Bring your own dish soap, hand soap and shampoo. You might also prefer your own towel and t.p.
- All sites have a small fire ring with grill.Bundles of firewood are sometimes available at the ranger station ($4 for a small bundle). If you plan on cooking additional meals, consider bringing your own firewood, charcoal, grill cleaners and utensils.
See our Gold Head State Park Map Page for directions and maps.
Contact the star party chair for more information.
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