WHAT: Night photography and light painting at Valley of Fire. Not quite the full moon, but side lighting should reveal more of moon’s features. As well, I’m listing a few optional events (see DETAILS below)

WHEN: Saturday, April 24 (w/option of camping Saturday night). We’ll set up for the night shoot at about 7pm (an early twilight shoot is optimal for a full moon). [OPTIONAL: Potluck dinner @ 5:30p)

WHERE: Valley of Fire ($6 park entrance fee, plus a camping fee if you’re staying overnight). At this moment, we’ll plan on being at Atlatl Campground for the night shoot. I’m working on getting us permission to shoot after dark at another location in the Park.

DETAILS:

As near as I can figure from websites (i.e., don’t hold me to this):
(4/24) Moonrise is at 3:32p, and sunset is at 7:22p.
(4/25) Moonset is at 3:21a, and sunrise is at 5:55a.
Approx. Avg. Temperatures: 54 degrees (average min) to 78.5 degrees (average max)

Optional Group Events:
* Saturday Morning/Afternoon Shoot—On Your Own. My favorites sites include (1) White Domes Trail, which passes through a narrows; it’s surrounded by high canyon walls…best when sun is high in sky, (2) Arch Rock (near Arch Rock campground), (3) the Scenic Loop (takes off near Arch Rock campground), and (4) Fire Canyon (amazing geology…especially awesome lighting at end of day)
* Saturday Potluck Dinner: Drinks & hors de oeuvres @ 5:30. Dinner at 6p sharp. Please bring a dish to share (with a serving utensil) as well as your preferred beverage(s). I’ll provide paper plates, tableware, barware, etc.
* Sunday Continental Breakfast: 8:30a (I’ll provide coffee & carbs)
* Sunday Mid-Morning Shoot (10a-noon): Rainbow Vista; 9a-noon for direct “sunlight on the expansive vista of multi-colored sandstone” in the Park….
* Sunday Afternoon Shoot—On Your Own:

Interesting Links:
* Michael Kenna’s “Moonlit Path”: http://www.michaelken...
* Michael Kenna’s “Full Moonrise”: http://www.michaelken...
* Moonrise & Moonset Photography Tips & Tricks: http://www.timeanddat...
* Stock-photo site: http://www.acclaimima...
* David Sanger Photography: http://www.davidsange...
* Ansel Adams’ story about making “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico”: http://www.anseladams...
* Moon Photography Tips (with a bunch of links at the end of the article): http://www.photokaboo...

Camping: It’s about a 70-minute drive back to Vegas. If you want to spend the night, there are two campgrounds (sites available on a first-come-first-serve basis): Atlatl (pronounced: at-lat’-ill)—has both RV hookups and tent sites and (2) Arch Rock—has tent sites only. Campsites are equipped with shaded tables, grills, water, and restrooms. Costs (payable at the campgrounds) are as follows:
* RV Sites (with water and electrical hookups): $24/vehicle (includes $6 entrance fee)
* Tent Sites: $14/vehicle (includes $6 entrance fee)
* Group-Camping Areas (there are three separate group sites, which can be reserved at a cost of $75 + $6/vehicle). Since RSVPs with this group are pretty unreliable, I’ve opted not to reserve a group campsite. If enough people are interested, we can open it up for discussion.

We will be RV camping at the Atlatl Campground. Look for our white Sprinter van (a Roadtrek w/Meet Up signs in windows). If there’s a Message Board at the campground entrance, I’ll leave a Meetup note indicating our campsite number.

Don’t Forget:
* Money for park entrance and/or camping fees
* Hiking boots
* Sun protection
* Warm clothes (maybe even a sleeping bag in which to snuggle) for the night time
* Cool clothes for the afternoons
* Camp chair (for hanging out)
* Flashlight/headlamp
* Camera gear, including tripod, cleaning supplies, and backup batteries & cards
* Water (lots), plus other preferred beverages
* Snacks (depending on how long you stay)
* Camping gear (if you’re overnighting)