Since Lee's fourth love is Astronomy (first three being Stella, Spurs and me), we will be visiting the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the world's biggest fully steerable radio telescope and one of the largest movable objects anywhere on land. It is so sensitive to electronic interference, in the 1950's, the Federal Communications Commission created the National Radio Quiet Zone in and around the telescope. Use of the airwaves inside the zone is strictly regulated... no mobile phones, no microwaves, no internet, no FM radio and no TV. There are ever patrols looking out for device emitting noticeably high amounts of electromagnetic radiation from every day you wouldn't have expected. For example, there is one story online about errant energy waves coming from battery-operated fans sold in the facility's gift shop!
Blog posts might be a bit slow whilst we're visiting Greenbank and its going to be tough learning to talk to each other for a couple of days we're there rather than playing on our phones, ipads, computers or just watching TV. Who knows, we might enjoy it and decide to join the 143 other people who live in Greenbank.
The plan:
| State: | West Virginia |
| Towns of Interest: (FB) = Firebreak | Helvetia (Swiss Village) Harpers Ferry Charleston |
| National Parks: | N/A |
| State Parks of Interest: | Cass Scenic Railroad State Park Beartown State Park Babcock State Park Hawk's Nest State Park |
| Places of Interest: (N) = Night Stay | Cass Scenic Railroad (11 miles of track up to the summit of Bald Knob - allow 4.5 hours for round trip and to visit town) - option if Greenbank is closed Greenbank (Nx2) The Greenbank Telescope Green Bank Observatory Tours of the telescopes available daily but check in advanced as there are special tours available but they must be pre-booked. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays Seneca Rocks Bickle Knob Observation Tower (Amazing 360 views) Helvetia (Swiss Village) Beartown State Park (Massive boulders, overhanging cliffs and deep crevasses make up the beauty of the park) Lewisburg (Town has been designated a National Historic District - can be explored on foot with a map from visitors center) Babcock State Park (Reconstructed Gristmill - most photographed placed in WV) Hawk's Nest State Park (Birds eye view of miles - park gondola to go down into the gorge) Kanawha Falls Charleston (N) State Capitol Building (Huge Marble Building) Daniel Boone Park (Riverfront oasis commemorates the renowned woodsman) |
| Routes of Interest: | Stuart Memorial Drive Route 60 (Midland Trail - Bison Path) |
| Where to Stay: | The Greenbank Telescope NB: There is an option to stay elsewhere for the second night - 2 nights at the telescope has been assumed in case sky is case there are options to view the telescopes in the evening (special event) Boyer Motel & Restaurant (offers motel rooms and camping) Snowshoe Mountain Resort (multiple lodging options in this resort - $93+) Charleston Holiday Inn Express Charleston-Civic Center ($85) Motel 6 ($55) Charleston Capitol Hotel ($75) |
| Useful Links: | http://greenbankobservatory.org/visit/science-center/ |
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