Astronomy Festival

Great Basin National Park is holding an astronomy festival this weekend, and we went to the kickoff concert. Although it was sunny down in the valley, a big storm cloud had parked itself over the visitor center area, with light rain falling over the concert venue.

Folks pulled out their rain gear and sweatshirts and we eventually got started, with some very pleasant temperatures.

A variety of performers sang and played star- and sky-related songs.

We were also treated to some cowboy poetry.

The rain returned, so we moved under shelter and some kids performed "Twinkle, twinkle little star."

The evening flew by with all the great performances.

And the crowd really seemed to enjoy themselves.

I didn't know we had so many talented musicians in the valley!

After the final songs, it was time to meander over to the picnic area to take a look through one (or two or three) of the 40 telescopes that were set up. The telescopes ranged from fairly simple to hooked up to computers and TV screens. It was fascinating, and fortunately the clouds blew over, leaving the mighty Milky Way galaxy brightening the sky.

If you have a chance to go up to the festival, there are events all day today and tomorrow. Call the park for more details, 775-234-7331.

Faces of the Snake Valley Festival

We had a great Snake Valley Festival on July 23 & 24, with lots of fun. Some photos are posted on the festival page, but here are some more of people at different events.

A huge thanks to everyone who came and participated!

Snake Valley Festival Just Days Away

We're only a few days away from the Snake Valley Festival! Things are shaping up to be a great weekend, with lots of neat events. We hope you can come!

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, JULY 23 2010 (All times PDT)
12 - 2 pm Brown Bag Lunch and Workshop with Linda Hussa Linda will tell us about Surprise Valley's long battle to defeat the Washoe County water grab. It involved a dedicated coalition of people from the inside and the outside to win. At the Baker community center
2 - 4:30 pm Water Tour Visit some of the places in Snake Valley that could be impacted by the Las Vegas water grab
2 - 4 pm Film Festival See news clips that cover the water issue at the Baker community center
4 - 5 pm Friday Frenzy Silent Auction Bid for your favorite items quickly--this silent auction will only last one hour! At the Baker community center.
5 pm Pioneer Day Potluck Dinner Don't miss the Dutch oven fried chicken and potatoes at the Garrison LDS Church to celebrate Utah's Pioneer Day! Bring a side dish or a dessert.
TBD Special National Park Programs Join a park ranger at Great Basin National Park for a special program. Check at a park visitor center for times and locations.

SATURDAY, JULY 24 (All times PDT)
7:30 - 9:30 am Pancake Breakfast Get a great start to your day with this delicious breakfast on the main street in Baker
8 am - 12 pm Community Yard Sale Find treasures to take home with you
8 am - 2 pm Booths Browse the wide selection of booths for books, yummy treats, arts and crafts, and much more.
9 am - 2:30 pm Silent Auction Bid on your favorite items and help raise money
10 am Pioneer Day Parade Come see or join in an unforgettable, fun parade
10 am - 2 pm Food Court Recharge with some tasty lunch
11 am - 2 pm Kids Games Fun for the young and young-at-heart outside of Baker Hall
11 am - 5 pm Film Festival Watch clips about the water grab and other Snake Valley related videos at the Baker Community Center
1 pm - 4 pm Entertainment Enjoy author Linda Hussa's reading, listen to cowboy poetry, clap along with musical acts at Baker Hall
6 pm Barbeque at the Border Inn Savor freshly barbequed food and good company
8 pm Auction and Dance Bid on fantastic items during a live auction and then dance the night away at the Border Inn
8:30 pm-midnight Night Sky Program Check out the extra-clear night skies in the Great Basin through powerful telescopes until late in the night at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center


RAFFLE--DON'T MISS THESE GREAT PRIZES!
Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100, available at many local businesses like T&Ds, the Border Inn, Sportsworld
or call Delaine Spilsbury at 866-212-7774
* 2 guided cow elk hunts (value $1000 each)
* silver and gemstone necklace, bracelet, earring set (value $2000)
* reversible hunting jacket (value $200)
* 2 Patagonia jackets (value $125 each)
* Mongoose mountain bike (value $300 each)
and much more

July Events

Hi there!
There's so much going on this summer that it's hard finding time to post!

Some upcoming events:
**Car Wash at the Border Inn on July 11 from 8:00-12:00AM PDT. $10 for the inside or outside of the car, $20 for both. All proceeds go to the junior high/high school choir trip to Washington, DC.

**Snake Valley Festival July 23-24 (protectsnakevalley.org/festival)

**Tuesdays at the Baker community center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

**August 6-8--Astronomy Festival, Great Basin National Park

**Saturday - August 7 Car wash at Border Inn; proceeds to choir trip

**Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 8:00 MDT EskDale Summer Concert- Variety and Favorites-$5 suggested donation; proceeds to choir trip

**August 13-Roping tournament in Garrison; proceeds to the choir trip

**Sunday - August 15 Car wash at Border Inn; proceeds to choir trip


If you know of anything else, please leave a comment!

Sunday Evening Softball is Back

The tradition of Baker softball on Sunday summer evenings has been revived. The softball is open to all ages and abilities.

It's a great excuse to enjoy the beautiful evenings and get some exercise. The field provides some extra agility challenges.

We had a good spectator section. Behind them we set up t-ball for the little kids, and they had great fun hitting the ball into the rabbitbrush.

Harvester ants even can have a closeup view of the action (see the anthill on the left side of the photo?). We noticed quite a bit of improvement just over the course of the evening. By the end of the summer I think we'll all have improved quite a bit. We just need to find someone to compete against. Anyone in North Snake Valley want to get some people together to play?

One of the side attractions is the beautiful light on the mountains.

The little kids also enjoyed swinging on the tire swings.

Ah, this is the life! Everyone is welcome to come play or spectate. See you there next Sunday at 6 pm at the field just south of town.

150th Anniversary of the Pony Express

Last weekend Don and Beth Anderson hosted a most excellent party up in Callao to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express. The Pony Express operated from 19 months 1860 to 1861 to deliver the U.S. mail from Missouri to California by way of horseback across the rough frontier country before railroads or telegraphs crossed it.

They own the Willow Springs Pony Express Station, the last surviving station. The stone Pony Express monument stands at the entrance to their ranch.

Several local riders helped bring the mail to the station, carrying it in a leather mochila. A caravan of people and horses followed to watch the mail retracing its historic hoofbeats. Despite some cool and rainy weather, the turnout was great, and many people planned to spend the night at Callao, more than doubling its population.

A variety of activities took place, including an auto show, fireworks, hamburger dinners, singing, dancing, and meeting new people. It was a great celebration.

The next morning dawned cool and cloudy, perfect for taking the mail even further east. The Pony Express trail through Snake Valley, and all the people who keep those memories alive, are one more thing I love about the area.

150th Anniversary of Pony Express

You are Invited

to the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express Re-Ride

Saturday, June 12, 2010

at

Willow Springs Ranch

Callao, Utah

Another mark in history, and we get to be a part of it! If all goes as planned, the mail will be in Ibapah at 5:00 p.m. We will bring the mail in around 8:00 p.m. We want to celebrate this in a grand way. Come and enjoy...

Antique car show/Genuine Tee Pee's

Slide show/Road show/Stories around 4:30 p.m.

Tours of the Station/Kids games

Food available for purchase

Square Dance or just do a jig to the live sounds of the Buckle Buster

Fun and Visiting

Fireworks

Donations being accepted to pay for band, fireworks, and sound system, etc...

Please RSVP by June 4th, 2010

Don and Beth Anderson 435-693-3136 or

wsrancher @ yahoo.com or bethbanderson @ hotmail.com

The menu:

PB&J with milk: $3

Hot dog plate: $10

Hamburger plate: $10

Vegiburger plate: $10

All plates include pasta salad, chips, choice of African peanut soup (vegetarian) or beef stew, and a drink.

Please respond to Bagleyandersonfundraiser @ hotmail.com and let me know what you would like to order so I can plan on how much food to bring.