Shared by Guest blogger Mike Klosterman, Virginia Peninsula Astronomy/Stargazers (VPAS), as Guest Blogger.

There are all sorts of star parties out there...

The "New Moon" Saturday dark sky star parties or "sidewalk astronomy" observing many of us do in our local communities which (hopefully) help to grow and inspire new generations of observers. There are also those big name famous star parties that garner national (and international) crowds like Stellafane, the Texas Star Party, and the Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys just to name a few. There are also many kinds in between.

Observing Field Day 1 of October 2012 Staunton River Star Party

Looking East toward park's Visitor Center along one of the observing ground's 'roads' during the Oct 2012 SRSP

The Staunton River Star Party (SRSP) is one of those in-between types where it isn't a long trip for many of us East Coast folk, it isn't overly crowded, has real character in the people who attend and most of all have the accommodations that make it seem like a "5 star" star party. It is hosted by the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society (CHAOS) in Chapel Hill N.C.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Winter Star Party and those like it. They have great speakers, great food and great skies! But there are those times when I really need some star therapy and a long, long drive isn't what the doctor ordered. The SRSP is a new kid on the block, relatively speaking (this is their second year), but you wouldn't know when arriving! It is held in Early October for their fall event (a full week) and Early March (a smaller 3 day affair) both with a spectacular observing field with 360 degree nearly unobstructed views.

I attended the Fall SRSP last October and the Spring SRSP this year. It is held at Staunton River State Park near Scottsburg, VA very close to the NC/VA border and only about a 2 1/2 hour drive from the tidewater area of VA. Last October I was gearing up for the SRSP wondering what to expect. The weather was looking to be one of those promising, crisp, clear, autumn weekends I had been longing for to observe many fall galaxies with my 18" dob. Adam Layman, the Assistant  Manager for Staunton River State Park and CHAOS party organizer, Jayme Hanzak, set up an incredible observing field for the event with nice observing areas designated by spray painted lines complete with power hookups. You can camp right by your scope, or rent one of the park's very cozy cabins.

The visitor center has internet connectivity (with wi-fi access out on the field) and a nice meeting room where guest speakers can hold talks. They also have a great cafeteria open almost all night with red lighting to minimize your loss of dark eyesight adaption. The food is wonderful with quite a nice sized menu. The park rangers stay up all night serving food (and of course endless cups of coffee!) and making everyone feel so welcome. The same building also houses very clean rest rooms/showers.

The SRSP Cafe

Park staff ready to serve up an order at 1:45am!

I also registered for the Spring 2013 SRSP March 7-10 and eagerly awaiting its event through the cold and wet winter we had. As the second week of March arrived however, the weather began to concern me. We had a late snow shower blanket the area which down in southern VA can cause a lot of chaos. I feared the observing field would be a disaster and worried more that the weather would be cold and clouded out. When my fellow club observers - Daryl Douglas and Kelly Profit and I - arrived it was indeed cloudy and the field was wet. We were able to find some drier area near the parking lots that still offered a great view and enough room for us to each set up next to our trailers. The park staff has installed a mesh grating, that according to their website, has now fully settled into the ground and grass growing over it which should make it less likely for getting stuck out on the observing field if it is wet in future star parties.

VPAS club members Kelly Proffitt and Daryl Douglas setup on dry ground next to my dob at far right during the 2013 Spring SRSP

One of the nice picnic pavilions in the park

If you are like me and enjoy the hospitality as well as the observing, then this star party is for you. With nice cabins, camp sites with full RV hookups, hiking/birding trails and fishing, it makes for a fun time for the whole family. I look forward to their next SRSP scheduled for October 1-6, 2013. Hope to see you there. Registration details are avail on their website here.

Click here for more information about Staunton River State Park, or you may call the park at 434-572-4623, or email stauntonriver@dcr.virginia.gov. For camping or cabin reservations click here or call 1-800-933-PARK.

Registration deadline for the Staunton River Star Party is Sept. 20, 2013. You can register for the whole week for $60, or just the weekend (Friday and Saturday) for $35, by clicking here