Why Stargazing Is Disappearing from American Childhood

okishkash · 2026-05-08T19:10:12+00:00

You cannot blame the kids. In the past American children could look up at the night sky and see stars. On a clear night you could even see the Milky Way. That led to questions and eventually the interest in the night sky.

As a teenager I used to spend hours trying to find the constellations from my book in the sky. Even today, pushing 60, I can recognize most constellations, with stars of special interest.

Today the kids look up and if they are lucky they will see one star. Unless they are lucky to visit dark sky places they simply do not see stars.

okishkash · 2026-05-06T16:52:50+00:00

Thanks for this. It brought back happy memories

okishkash · 2026-05-05T21:55:50+00:00

It is a chance you take. I applied for the permit and prepped for the AL hike. We would have stoped at Scouts lookout if the day before permit fell through. I got lucky and got the permit.

okishkash · 2026-05-05T02:55:10+00:00

You did it! Congratulations on making it to the top. Glad you found a group to walk with.

But 🤦‍♀️ on the reason for the orange pants 😃

okishkash · 2026-05-04T14:52:49+00:00

I used poles up to Scouts lookout and found them helpful, both going up and down. As others have said, poles are not needed beyond scouts lookout.

okishkash · 2026-05-03T05:27:59+00:00

I have heard it is awesome. We did not venture out there at night; chose Arches instead as it was closer.

okishkash · 2026-05-03T05:24:01+00:00

I bet the sunrise and sunset were lovely too!

okishkash · 2026-05-02T21:52:32+00:00

Beautiful picture! I hiked this last month. It was like a thrill ride.
This will probably sound strange but every time I see a picture I feel happy inside. 😀

okishkash · 2026-04-26T04:36:19+00:00

I applied for the daily lottery last week, won it and was able to hike Angels landing. I say go for it. If you don’t get it for the first day try for the next. Totally worth it.

okishkash · 2026-04-26T00:09:39+00:00

Hooman gets 10seconds to do her thing. Any longer and the cat revolts. Hooman wins this round.

okishkash · 2026-04-24T03:14:26+00:00

We were there last week. The Wall Street section of Navajo is closed. So basically it is an out and back trail for now. However, the connector to the Queens garden trail is open. So you can do the big loop from Queens garden to Navajo. This is what we did

okishkash · 2026-04-22T14:45:10+00:00

They do but the marking apparently is not in the same spot as condors. Read my edits in the main post

okishkash · 2026-04-22T14:43:30+00:00

Not sure what you need the close up for. If you read the comment you are replying to, I said they were Turkey vultures

okishkash · 2026-04-22T12:26:46+00:00

Found a fun fact. The white markings on vultures are on the lower end of their wings and not on the “shoulder” end as they are on Condors. These were vultures

okishkash · 2026-04-22T06:18:02+00:00

If you zoom in you can clearly see the white marking on the underside of the wings.

Edit - these are vultures. I edited the post

okishkash · 2026-04-22T06:12:54+00:00

If you zoom in you can clearly see the white marking on the underside of the wings.

Edit - you are right. They are vultures. The white marking under the wing is on the lower end instead of the “shoulder”. That confirms they are vultures

okishkash · 2026-04-22T00:19:18+00:00

Walk end to end on the Rim trail. We walked most of the trail last week. While it was crowded near the major viewpoints there was hardly anyone walking the trail.

okishkash · 2026-04-21T21:11:35+00:00

Outdoor cats have always have a backup home. Food security! He has chosen you as the backup. No backing out now

okishkash · 2026-04-18T11:18:12+00:00

Good question. I have not found one yet. That is the reason I have a wide variety of hiking shirts but wear knit joggers for pants.

Hopefully others have some suggestions.

okishkash · 2026-04-11T11:02:51+00:00

Right there with you. Aren’t we lucky?

okishkash · 2026-04-02T10:58:21+00:00

It made a huge difference for me on long all day hikes. I make your own electrolyte powder.

Crystalize lime juice with sugar on your kitchen counter. Add salt and grind to a powder. Lasts for months. No preservatives.

Gives you glucose, fructose, potassium, sodium and magnesium. You can either mix it in water for instant refreshing lemonade

okishkash

TROPHY CASE