This photo, courtesy of Jeff Ball,
was taken at the Black Water Falls Star Party in '00, which is hosted by the
Kanawha Valley Astronomical Society. This
is M31, the Andromeda galaxy. At about 2.3 million light years away, it’s our
galaxy’s closest neighbor. M32 and M110, two companion galaxies are also
visible. M110 is in the lower right. M32 lies closer to, above, and to the left
of the central bulge of M31 in this photo. Want to see some amazing images? Why
not visit Jeff Ball's web site?
Jeff is the best darn astrophotographer in these here parts.
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THE MAPPIE PAGE |
Choose your link |
THE MAPPIE PAGE |
These are your entry portals to the various areas of my obscure
web space as well as to links related to where I live and work (well I tell my boss
that I’m working …). Come experience the beauty, mystery and adventure that is
Appalachia!
Astronomy. I realized that I spent my entire day sitting in the dark looking at pictures (ok, pictures of people’s insides). And now, I have a hobby where I stand around in the dark and look at things. It’s a natural. And … I always wanted a starship.
| My astronomy web pages |
My Astro Video Galleries To see some truly great space images visit Jeff Ball's web site
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| The OVAS Bulletin Board (This will let you see what the club members are up to and what pictures have been taken recently) | The OVAS Astronomy Club web site (Our local club) |
My wife had a friend who had an Italian Greyhound (miniature greyhound) and she decided that she had to have one. As luck would have it we got the sister (litter mate) of our friend’s dog (small world, well ok, small town). She came slightly used. (They’re cheaper on the after market.) We got her when she was 8 months old, then about 3 years later we got another (Molly). To quote Ivy (the older dog), "What were you thinking?". Our dogs page
What have we been up too? The family page has recent photos and family updates. To keep in touch, you can e-mail me here: E-mail Rodger Blake.
We live in lovely Huntington, WV. It’s a great place to live and raise kids. I could talk about the geography or our employers or institutions, yet it’s the people who make this such a wonderful and special place to live. People here are so friendly. The day I moved in the guy across the street came over to offer me his lawn mower. It’s that kind of place. God Bless America!
These are a few links related to our town. Our Town’s web site (official) or visit this other Huntington, WV web site .
Marshall University is the second largest State University (after WVU). Until this year we’ve had a knock ‘em dead football program. We have a great coach (Bobby Pruitt) and a quarterback (Byron Leftwitch) who is very good and is getting better (next year we cry 'cause he graduates). We just need some defense. Ok, we need a lot of defense. The school is nice too. They have a medical school. But football is what life is all about right? In last year's GMAC bowl, Marshall came back from a 30 point deficit to win 64-61 in double overtime, that's football! We have a developing jazz program. Look for a Jazz festival (JAZZ-MU-TAZ) to bloom here in the coming years. Why not visit Marshall University’s web page ?
We have a nice little art museum up on 8th Street Hill. They have a nice collection of glass, paintings, and do wonderful educational programs. Their exhibit on Syrian art is unique, as is the collection of ancient firearms. They have a climate controlled building in which they raise unusual plants. All in all it’s a great community resource. The Huntington Museum of Art
A good friend
of ours runs his family’s business,
Blenko Glass . They make all
types of decorative glass and are perhaps most famous for the glass supplied to
the UASF chapel at the Air Force Academy. Perhaps you’ve seen the PBS
documentary on the history of the Blenko Glass company called Hearts of Glass
. You may want to own a copy for your own personal video library. This
program aired nationwide last year at pledge time. I’m partial to their water
pitcher; it’s a signature item that I believe dates to the ‘30’s, a nice fusion
of form and
function. Visiting Milton, WV - well come and see glass made in objects that are
beautiful as well as functional.
Want to SKI WV? Here is a site with
links to all the Ski Resorts in West Virginia.Want to see the Universe? Visit the Ohio Valley Astronomical Society's web site. Its your astronomy resource for the Tri-state Area. Stop by the Donald C. Martin Observatory at Huntington High after dark on the Second Saturday of the month for our popular public star gazes. Ohh. Ahhh.
Like to go in caves? Ever see a natural arch? 4 in one park? Well visit Carter Caves State Park, it is my favorite local park and only 1 hour away from Huntington, WV.
Like white water action from mild to extreme? Are you ready for Class VI white water? Well, they only do class I-V white water but Class VI is a cool name for a company. It implies just a a little bit more, eh? Just a little over the edge.
Want to see WV from the top? Spruce Knob the highest point in the state. Much hiking in this area. This is one of the BEST places on the east coast for Astronomy as it is so far from cities and development. many other parks are within an hour or less. And you can visit the eastern continental divide.
Do you want to hang off the side of a mountain? Rugged beauty at its best - Seneca Rocks . Hiking, rappelling, climbing, its all here. You can watch the sun rise over the rocks, hike to them or hang from them. What a place! Consider the Seneca Shadows Campground for your stay. You can camp and from some of the sites watch the sun rise over the rocks.
Want something sedate, how about a lake side cruise? Beech Fork lake. This is where we swim, fish, boat, camp, and take kids to play. Any if you go to the marina in the summer, you must feed the carp. Imagine a fish swarm so thick that fish actually lift other fish out of the water as they swarm for food? No remember that these carp are about 2 1/2 feet long. A site to behold. A treat for any cub scout outing.
Ever want to look over a gorge and stare circling Hawks in the eye all without leaving your lodge? Visit the home of the State's highest waterfall Blackwater Falls State Park. Smaller water falls too. Nice back drop for a wedding. Deer are tame too.
How about the best crafts and fine art produced by Artists and crafters living and working in West Virginia? It's all at Tamarack . "The best of West Virginia." Eat food made by chefs from the Greenbrier. See a show or hear a poetry reading in the Governor Hulett C. Smith Theater. See and buy the best Arts and Crafts produced in this here state!
Are working Steam engines and beautiful mountain Scenery more your cup of tea? The Cass Scenic Railroad These are engines built to haul logs off the mountain. Pretty trip in the fall.
The Greenbrier was named
America's Resort of the Century. A world renowned resort set on 6,500 acres in the scenic Allegheny Mountains. It has 3 championship golf courses, tennis, riding, gun club, white water rafting, mineral water baths and a famous spa - not to mention a movie theater, bowling alley, and indoor pool. Tea is at 4 PM. In the height of the cold war, when congress decided to dig a bunker to hide in while the rest of us were blasted into atoms - they chose the Greenbrier. Yes, the bunker (I think tours of it are offered to hotel guests) that was to protect our Senators and Representatives is under the Greenbrier. There, tended by the staff and chefs of the Greenbrier they would continue to govern. It's where they chose to ride out nuclear war. I can think of no higher recommendation. I hope that Clive Cussler would approve. Fine dining, world class golf, a European style spa all nestled in the peace and seclusion of the Alleghenies - fit for a king! But bring your VISA card - as - if you enjoy the golf, the spa, the fine wines, and make a few purchases in the shops it will run you about a $1000 a day for two people. You weren't going to skimp on the wine were you?Do you like Live Music? Did you know that Mountain Stage features 5-6 different groups or performers each week? It is broadcast around the nation on National Public Radio and around the world on the Voice of America. And as a bonus you get to hear from members of the Mountain stage band which features the likes of Bob Thompson (on the "blues" piano) and the amazing voice Julie Adams! And you can Buy the Music! This is a great place to see popular entertainers in a small venue setting. Folk music. Country. Latin. Jazz. Its all here.
More Music from the mountains? Visit WMMT . It is housed in the Appalshop a media, arts and cultural center in the coal fields of Kentucky. It is not what you expect. Learn about the history of WMMT on this old web page. Or in their own words "WMMT is the only station where you will hear Appalachian programming produced by Appalachians. Mountain Community Radio is who we are and what we constantly strive to be! ".
Like Jazz on the internet?
If you like that New Orleans beat you could always hook up with WWOZ.
Searching for a better web site? Try Google which is my favorite search engine; Its the best!
Can't Sleep? Then Read my early observing reports on the Small Dob Web Site .
And now for a word from our sponsor:
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medical imaging experts for South Western West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. Visit our web site! You may need our services after visiting some of our state's more demanding attractions.