Over Memorial Day week, 2025, several MAS members made an informal excursion to Nebraska’s Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area for some camping under radically dark skies.

Merritt Reservoir is the location of the Nebraska Star Party, held every year during the new moon window nearest to the end of July or beginning of August. Though I’ve never been to the star party, I’ve been visiting Merritt for the past 7 years to take advantage of the dark skies and nearly perfect conditions for astronomy. This year I decided to put the word out to the club to see who wanted to join me.

Bonnie Tiedt was the first to jump on the bandwagon and the two of us originally decided that May 26—Memorial Day—would be the perfect time to begin the trip. It was close to new moon but more importantly, it marked the end of the busy holiday weekend so we figured the park would be emptying out as we arrived.

Weather interfered with our planned start date so we didn’t arrive until Wednesday or Thursday of the week instead. No matter, Rick arrived first and secured some choice campsites and the weather cooperated beautifully. I only stayed Thursday and Friday nights but others stayed a full four days. Despite some wildfire smoke warnings, the nights were transparent and the seeing was good. The others instantly appreciated the value of driving 11 hours each way to get to these skies!

Joining me on the trip were the aforementioned Bonnie, plus Bob Hamers, Rick Wayne, and John Wunderlin. Dave Leiphart arrived as I was leaving on Saturday and he, Bonnie and Rick stayed for an additional two nights.

I don’t plan to abandon my solo efforts to visit Merritt each summer but there’s already talk amongst the group about arranging another group trip.

(Posted by John Rummel, June, 2025).