Owens Valley Radio Observatory
This picture has a great story for me behind it. On the second day of my road trip, I decided to go exploring with no destination in mind. I found out from the visitor center that one canyon road was open and said that sounds good to me. As I was driving back to Big Pine from my canyon drive, I saw these huge antenna in Owens Valley. Ok, there's my next destination and off I went.
To my disappoint at first, there is a sign with big red letters that says "Authorized Personnel Only". Well that wasn't me, but I looked closer at the sign. Below the big red letters was little plastic box with the words "Self Guided Tours". I decided to stop and check this out more closely. Inside the box was a three page description of the facility and antenna with a map to follow with numbered stops. Each stop described what kind of antenna you were seeing. Jackpot! I was in.
As I was reading the directions and information, a man pulled up in a Prius and asked me to roll down my window. It was the scientist who wrote the directions and he wanted to invite me into the facility. He said that the sign was 20 years old and no one had bothered to change it, but that they want the public to know what they are doing there. I told him that I was reading his directions and thanked him. We talked for a few minutes and I couldn't wait to get inside and explore.
This facility is a few miles outside of Big Pine and Highway 395. If you are an old space fan like me or if you have kids, this is a great place to explore. Just remember to ignore the sign.
Owens Valley Radio Observatory
This picture has a great story for me behind it. On the second day of my road trip, I decided to go exploring with no destination in mind. I found out from the visitor center that one canyon road was open and said that sounds good to me. As I was driving back to Big Pine from my canyon drive, I saw these huge antenna in Owens Valley. Ok, there's my next destination and off I went.
To my disappoint at first, there is a sign with big red letters that says "Authorized Personnel Only". Well that wasn't me, but I looked closer at the sign. Below the big red letters was little plastic box with the words "Self Guided Tours". I decided to stop and check this out more closely. Inside the box was a three page description of the facility and antenna with a map to follow with numbered stops. Each stop described what kind of antenna you were seeing. Jackpot! I was in.
As I was reading the directions and information, a man pulled up in a Prius and asked me to roll down my window. It was the scientist who wrote the directions and he wanted to invite me into the facility. He said that the sign was 20 years old and no one had bothered to change it, but that they want the public to know what they are doing there. I told him that I was reading his directions and thanked him. We talked for a few minutes and I couldn't wait to get inside and explore.
This facility is a few miles outside of Big Pine and Highway 395. If you are an old space fan like me or if you have kids, this is a great place to explore. Just remember to ignore the sign.