Scribble World Travel Blog

Day Trip to Kitt Peak Observatory

Here are some pictures from a day trip out to the Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) which was founded in 1958.

Kitt Peak is about 56 miles southwest of Tucson and is part of the Tohono O’odham Nation (translated as “Desert People,”) which is a federally recognized tribe with a rich culture and history that continues to thrive today.

KPNO is part of NOAO which supports a diverse collection of astronomical observatories for nighttime optical and infrared astronomy as well as daytime sun studies.

The aluminum on the bottom lens must be replaced every 3 to 5 years.

Admission is $7.75 for all three tours June-October. November through May the cost is $9.75 and is free for children 6 and under.

I gave a Homeless Man Respect and Rice

After driving to school for my one class of the day and playing “vitamin and mineral jeopardy” for extra credit points, I decided to take a new route home.
I stopped for a bottle of kombucha, which I never actually got, because I was lured into a Sushi restaurant instead. On my way over, I saw a man-he was homeless but I didn’t know that at first-I just saw an elderly struggling gentlemen in obvious pain-barely able to move. I asked if he was alright and he thanked me and said it hurt, but it would pass-he just needed to sit down a while.

I went inside, soon forgetting the homeless man, which sadly is a little too easy to do when the pain is not our own. But I found what I wanted and got it to go. The man was still resting against the building when I came out and I asked how he was doing and if he was hungry. He seemed a little better now that he was sitting and yes, he was hungry. I asked if he’d eat rice (half expecting him to look disappointed and say ‘no thanks, what else do you have?’) and I was surprised when he said sincerely, “yes, I’ll eat rice,” and slowly and with obvious effort rose to his feet-I objected, not wanting him to hurt himself, but he insisted and said he wanted to show his respect and gave a little salute.
I asked if he knew how to use chopsticks-he said sure he did, he’d spent a few years in South Asia. I said, “then I give you my respect because I don’t even know how to use them,” I handed him the rice and chopsticks, we shook hands and parted ways.
I left with mixed emotions. I’m glad he appreciated my small gesture-but at the same time, I think basic food, safe water, shelter, healthcare, and dignity ought to be universal human rights-and I’m not sure what that indicates about mankind if they’re not. We don’t seem to be doing a very good job of taking care of our own. I may not be in a position to give a lot-small luxuries are all I have-but even I can give something-even if it’s just a little respect and my rice.

Things to Come

Soon, Chris will give an update and share some pictures from his trip last week to San Francisco to attend the Norml conference.
Thanks to all who took the time to answer the Scribble World Question of the week. I will definitely look into those time management suggestions and books….just as soon as I have time-LOL! No seriously, I will, thank you!

I also look forward to sharing more of what I’ve been learning about wapis which are reusable water pasteurization indicators which allow people to know when their water is safe to drink in parts of the world where clean water is not readily available.