Biking near Gilbert Ray Campground and Kitt Peak National Observatory in the Quinlan Mountains.

From the Gilbert Ray Campground we head out on one of the numerous bike trails in the area. We are on and off many trails as they crisscross in the desert, but we are largely on the Ironwood trail. It is beautiful flowy 16 km ride with a few ups and downs through the washes. Really nice ride. 

Tons of nice rides in this area.

Out on the trail we meet Mike, an 80 year old long time mountain biker from Tucson. He is so nice and tells us of things to see in the Patagonia area. He is so apologetic that his country elected Trump and genuinely concerned for America. Democracy is being challenged by the dictator Trump. 

Mike DeVito of Tuscan

Cactus starting to bloom.

After a quick lunch and much needed shower (it was hot out there biking , 25 degrees) we head off to the Kitt Peak National Observatory. It's almost an hour away in the Quinlan Mountains inside the Tohono O'odham Indian Nation. On the way we have to go through an illegal immigrant check stop. Being so close to the border of Mexico, border patrol is every where. 

Illegal immigrant border check.

The last 12 miles  up the mountain is a super winding road and steep climb. The observatory sits at just under 7000 feet. 

Viewpoint at about mile 9.

Founded in 1958, this observatory is home to one of the largest arrays of optical and radio telescopes in the world. There are about 2 dozen domes with the majority being optical telescopes. 

Observatory domes start popping out as we near the top.

Once checked into the program, we have time in the visitor center. This sound and touch sensitive Plasma Globe is very cool. Where ever you touch on the globe an electric current strikes out. 

Plasm globe.

After they feed us a quick supper of sandwiches, chips and cookies, we receive an  evening overview. Then, we head out and enjoy a magnificent sunset. From up here the mountains we are seeing in the distance are in California over 100 miles away. 

Sunset on California.

One of the many domes up here.

As we are standing enjoying the sunset and listening to our guide, Bryson, talk about astronomy, everyone notices a fast moving light above us. It turns out to be the ISS - International Space Station coincidentally travelling over head. Bryson says the ISS orbits the earth every 90 minutes but on a different path each time. Because it is so close to the earth...barely in space Bryson says, it moves fast.  Nice unintentional timing. 

The Moon and Venus in my picture.

Our private group of 12 then hop in a van and are taken to the Lavine Dome to begin viewing the sky. The telescope in our dome is 16.5 inches. Over the course of the night we see Saturn, the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Orion's Belt nebulas. Each time Bryson would program in the next viewings coordinates and the telescope would 'slew' to the correct position. The dome opening would be rotated around as needed to be open where the telescope was pointing. It was a fascinating evening where the rings of Saturn and the lines of Jupiter shone out. Chris managed a crude picture through the lens of the moon. The craters were amazing to see. 

After about 2 hours of viewing, we head back to the visitors center where we originally started and  wait for the OK to leave. Being an active observatory we have to wait until the domes in the middle of their projects are done recording as everything is very light sensitive and vehicle headlights and brakes can interfere. . It gives us more time with the Plasma Globe...lol

When we first arrived at 4pm, they had us all park in lines ready to roll straight out. At that time we had no clue why, but now it is all makes sense Light interferes with their recordings so it is kept to a minimum and only when given the clear are we able to leave. After about 25 minutes waiting in the visitors center, we are given  a 5 minute count down. We all head out to our vehicles and sit in the dark until red lights turn on signaling we can start our engines and roll on. We happen to be the lead vehicle and are told to lead at 10 to 15 mph for the first 2 miles and don't use your brake lights. It is nice to be back in our truck with a heater...it was a chill night... An evening we will remember.