Science Ranch!

Science Ranch!

What is Science Ranch?  Science Ranch is a program for outdoorsy geeks by Science Getaways.  Science Getaways is the brain child of the Bad Astronomer himself, Phil Plait and his wonderful wife Marcella.  Their goal is to provide vacation style experiences that balance activity and exploration with equal doses of science and geekery.

 

The June 2013 trip to Bend, Oregon is their second.  I've been to both so far.

 

tl;dr If you love science and even mildly like being outside, then you must attend one of these.

 

Here is a quick breakdown of the trip to give you an idea of what you'll experience.

              

Day One:

 

Geologist Holly Brunkel gives a fun presentation on the volcanic history of Oregon.  (Spoiler: there is a LOT of volcanic history.)

 

Take a hike with an ecology professor, who fills you brain with fascinating facts about the local vegetation and animals, how changes over time have affected the landscape we see.

 

 

 

Eat very good food.

 

Take a canoe trip in a high, clear lake surrounded by volcanic flows.

 

 

 

Eat more good food.

 

Gaze at the stars guided by Phil Plait.

 

Day Two:

 

Take a hike with a geologist, who fills your brain with fascinating facts about the geology of the region, the ground you walk on, how changes over time have affected the landscape we see.

 

 

Eat very good food.

 

Go to the pool and partake in solar astronomy and water slides.

 

Eat more good food.

 

Go on a horseback ride.

 

Day Three:

 

Spend the entire day visiting in and around a volcanic caldera, including but not limited to chunks of obsidian the size of a doghouse, a view that spans an entire state, and the inside of a volcanic lava tube.

 

Eat more good food.

 

Gaze at the stars guided by Phil Plait.

 

Day Four:

 

Take a hike with a conservationist, who fills you brain with fascinating facts about how humans have shaped the region, how changes over time have affected a landscape we see.  The conservationist eats an ant.  He says it has lots of vitamin C.

 

Eat very good food.

 

Go to the pool and partake in solar astronomy and water slides.

 

Eat more good food.

 

Gaze at the stars guided by Phil Plait.

 

Sounds like fun, huh?

 

Jon.