Tucson bound...and to the GCSP '08

Well, when we got married we thought we would be done with the flying back and forth - and we almost are! Dean returned to Tucson on Sunday, June 15th, to prepare for our trip to the 18th Annual Grand Canyon Star Party - '08. This will be a very special one for him, as he and his late wife - Vicki - started the GCSP on the first anniversary of their honeymoon - and he says that this will be his last one to organize. If you're unfamiliar with the GCSP, then baby you're missin' the boat! It's THE BEST event of the summer! Of course, even if Dean doesn't organize it next year - I'll be pressing him to go! I'm hooked on that one week of perfectly clear and dark night skies, breathtaking scenery, and the peace and quiet of listening to the gentle breezes through the pines. If you want more info on the GCSP, check out the website www.tucsonastronomy.org/gcsp.html
So - the preparations are underway! Dean has been organizing all we need to take with us to the canyon, as well as getting the house ready for the summer without him. I stayed in St. Charles and worked all week (babies falling from the sky in this area, or so it seems!), and am currently doing a 'marathon' of staying awake (I work night shift) and getting my things ready to go! The laundry is nearly done, the lawn is mown, the weeds are killed, the suitcase is out and ready to be loaded, and all of the sundry little chores and shopping are completed. I still could take a trip out to clean out the car, and empty the garbage. I'm flying to Tucson (via my favorite DFW layover) tomorrow afternoon. I'll arrive in time for us to go straight to a dinner party for our dear friend, Roger, who is moving to Vancouver on Saturday. While I feel it's warm enough here, at 79 F degrees, to have the a/c on in the house - it's currently 101 F degrees in Tucson! "But it's a dry heat"! My sister, Maj, will be doing the limo honors tomorrow - and coming by early enough for us to have coffee and visit before hitting the road to "O'Hara" (a Mom-ism). Dean and I will drive to the canyon on Saturday, and we will be there until the following Sunday (a truly full week). We will then return to Tucson to pack up whatever he wants to bring to St. Charles, including two of the kitties (Marley and Sugarpants?), and we'll hit the road! We both really enjoy the "road trip" thing, so we're both looking forward to that part of the trip! I should have a picture to post when we return from the star party!