More Friday Night Carnival Photos

I just went through my photos and found some more goodies from Friday night I couldn't resist sharing.

 Here's more of an overview shot of the turtle ride. Yee haw!

 Desert Girl liked the ladder but kept falling off.

 Just before she falls!

 Desert Boy's expression on the first loop of the roller coaster ride.

 His expression on the second loop.

 My husband going on the roller coaster.

 He's grinning.

 Desert Girl apparently had some other ideas.

 She's back to happy on the turtle ride.

 What the carnival looked like from the corner.

 Desert Girl back on the obstacle course (in another outfit after a blowout).

 Teenagers waiting for the roller coaster.

 'I think this is fun'

 Around again.

 Getting scrambled.

My turn on the coaster. Yep, I was brave enough to ride it. And it was great!

Friday Night Carnival and Ice Cream Tasting

Friday evening we went over to the Community Center for the ice cream social. The ice cream was delicious, and it was fun visiting with folks. I imagine that before TV, Internet, Xbox and all the other newfangled technology, there was a lot more of the getting together and visiting. Although it would have been a little harder to make ice cream back then!


We had four flavors to choose from. Yum!

Then it was back to the Carnival. We had a small carnival come to town for the weekend. It was the first time we've ever had a carnival here, and it sure was memorable! I saw so many smiles. And I don't think the Scrambler scrambled too many people too badly!

Audrey and Victoria

I love Breanna's expression! Behind them was an assortment of little games, giving it more of a carnival feeling.

Here's another view. I think we ended up with a stuffed animal and some little prizes and a toy. Not too much, but enough to have the experience.

Desert Girl loved riding the turtles. It went around and around and around, and she never wanted to get off.

She did get off eventually and tried out the obstacle course.

Then back to the turtles with some neighbors.

More smiles on the Scrambler!

The person on the outside really got squished,and it looks like Breanna is trying to do some extra squishing!

I think they're having a good time!

The carnival also had a roller coaster. Wow! A roller coaster in town!

Desert Boy was scared the first time around, then he started smiling.

It was small, but it was fun!

Desert Boy went on the Scrambler, but I couldn't work up the nerve.

Ava and work colleagues went on the Scrambler, but I still couldn't work up the nerve. I remembered riding the Scrambler at the county fair when I was about ten. I was fine, but my aunt had to find a garbage can right afterwards. I was afraid that I would have a similar outcome.


Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing all the lights and hearing the happy sounds.

Finally it was time to go home, and Desert Girl was not at all happy.
Fortunately, we would get to go back the next day.

Astronomy Festival Talent Show

 We've had such a fun weekend! We started out Thursday evening up at Great Basin National Park for the ranger talent show.

 Lots of people came to see a variety of entertainers.

 Dark Sky Ranger Carolyn played a couple beautiful pieces.

 Bryan had Isaac dance along.

 Isaac was entranced with the show.

 Isaac and Desert Girl found another friend.

 Desert Boy couldn't resist taking the mike for "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

It was a really fun evening! Many folks attended the Astronomy Festival events, and there were some really impressive telescopes to look through! The festival will be held again in July 2013, so if you missed this one and you like dark skies and awesome viewing, be sure to mark your calendars for next year!

Carnival Coming to Town

The Snake Valley Festival is starting Friday, and we are so excited! Who can resist delicious food (ice cream Friday night, cinnamon rolls Saturday morning, an assortment of lunch choices, lavender lemonade, all-you-can-eat cookout dinner, Sunday morning bake sale)? Or the small-town parade that everyone can be in? Or the water fight in the playground on a hot afternoon, complete with water troughs? A wine-tasting for those who can hold their pinkies out? Or cool items for sale at the yard sale, book sale, silent auction, and live auction? Plus plenty of astronomy festival events. And cowboy poet Mike Prince coming to town and some of the Valley's most talented folks entertaining?

But wait, there's even more! A last-minute addition is a carnival. Here they are starting to put up the scrambler.

They have several other rides, including a roller coaster. I don't think there's ever been a roller coaster in Snake Valley.

There will also be carnival-style games and food. This is a small-town carnival, but still, can it really be happening? I'm not sure who's more excited, Desert Boy or me.

More assembly. They should have it mostly set up by tomorrow night and open for business Friday afternoon. Come join the fun!

Astronomy Festival

 We joined the gathering at the Transit of Venus party at Great Basin National Park on June 5. Folks were taking a break from the telescopes to let clouds go by.

Once they cleared, we peeked through the telescopes. To me, the Transit of Venus isn't a spectacular sight, just a little dot in front of the sun. What I do really like is watching Venus move and thinking about the history of what it's represented to the astronomy world.

To see that change in movement, we took a break and went into the visitor center to see the exhibits.

 Desert Girl was ready to run! Her babysitter had done her hair in French braids, and it was absolutely adorable.

 Desert Girl liked the border collie resting under the sheep camp.

 She also liked the kangaroo rat.

The spadefoot toads were another attraction. I always get a little uneasy when Desert Girl pets the fake rattlesnake, and try to make sure she knows that she should never do that in the wild.

Then it was time to head back outside. Ranger Steve was really helpful getting the kids positioned looking through the telescope.

 
We're all set to join in the activities for the Astronomy Festival at Great Basin National Park June 14-16. And as a bonus, the Snake Valley Festival will be held June 15-17, so there will be lots of great things to do this weekend!