Orionids Meteor shower, primitive camping at Oak Creek
Details
The Orionids will peak on the night of October 21–22, delivering about 10 - 20 meteors per hour.
We will be camping at Oak Creek north and south campsites. Go to SFWMD.gov website and look for Oak Creek. It is located in the Kissimmee River Floodplain. On the left click on recreation and on the dropdown click special use license. You will need to make an account if you don’t already have one. Click on Oak Creek. You can choose North or South. Put in dates.
There are dark-ish skies and open horizons for viewing from the campsite.
The moon phase is waxing gibbous at a 70%+, but will set at 3:00 in the morning for a much darker sky.
The Orionids are related to debris trail left last time Halley's Comet passed close to us in 1986, and is annually one of the best times to see increased meteor activity.
There will be an optional hike on Thursday. The trail out to the iconic geographic landmark of Micco Bluff is just a few miles out, and beyond that the Florida Trail skirts east of many open marshes in the floodplain of the Kissimmee River that is great for bird watching. Length of the hike will be determined by trail conditions, but less than 8 miles.
Campsites are primitive, picnic tables, fire rings, and zero restrooms or running water. There is acess to the Kissimmee for filtering water.
You will be able to drive right up to your campsite. You will need to bring your food, water, tent, bedding, clean clothes, toiletries, bug spray and sunscreen. Remember we practice leave no trace so you will also need to have a trowel to bury your body waste or carry everything out.
Bring firewood for the fire ring.
Janet miller 561-385-8676
Walter Ahern 423-430-4164