Palomar Camping and the CHP

After our first camping trip to Palomar Observatory Campgrounds, we decided we needed to do it again. Second verse was better than the first. This time a friend of mine and her boyfriend joined us. We saw Saturn again, this time WE were the drunks walking around looking in thousands of dollars worth of telescopes. We also saw some star clusters that we just breath taking. The only problem we had this time was the mosquitoes. They were horrendous, and of course we forgot to get bug spray because they weren't bad last time. I feel bad for the ones that bit us because they must have got a little contact drunk.



On the way up the mountain there was a Tundra and a Xterra in front of us. Half way up the Tundra lets us pass, I throw up the peace and keep on trucking. I end up behind the Xterra and soon they pull off, and I repeat the process. We get to the top and the spot I want is taken, AGAIN. I thought we were leaving early to get this spot, but due to certain circumstances (people) we left a few hours later than I wanted. So we drive around and find a pretty nice site. As we empty the car, the Tundra pulls up and then the Xterra stops and I can't help but chuckle because later I found out they were shooting for the same spot as us and then we took their backup spot. Thanks for letting us pass guys!

Finally, the other couple gets there, we get the tents set up, get all situated and let the festivities begin. The mosquitoes were just eating us alive. So we try to go to the general store to get bug spray. But, of course with our luck, they are out of spray and only have the mosquito coils. Those will have to do for now. We get back to the site being the bearer of bad news and start to get diner started.



The next morning I get up earlier than everyone else as usual. Get the mess from the night before cleaned up, start thinking about heading down the mountain and wait for everyone else to wake up. We end up getting to a turn a little late, but its ok because I didn't like the first turn due to a patch in the pavement that made me uneasy sitting on the outside of the turn. So I switch up the turn a few times, which might have thrown some guys of because every time they come up, I'm shooting on a different turn. But at the end of the day, I got some nice shots.





Once we made it back to camp, I decided to try and get a shot of the little creek behind our camp. It was a little tough to get because the mosquitoes just made it unbearable. The end result was nice for the little stream it was.



Sunday was pretty much a bust for shooting the mountain. As I head past Mothers on my way to South Grade its packed. Looks like its gonna be a good day! A few turns in we pass a group of guys heading up the mountain, still looking good! Then there is a guy cruising up the hill, as I pass, he taps his head... DAMN! CHP! There goes my day. I head down to the big turn-out and see a cruiser talking to a few of the guys. Not good. Then at the turn-out I usually shoot from, Rick and Jared are sitting there with a CHiPer while he shoots radar on guys coming up from the bottom.