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Wake Forest University Lodge
Fancy Gap, Virginia

WSAL sponsors quarterly observing field trips to the Wake Forest University Lodge. The lodge is located near Fancy Gap, Virginia, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, about an hour's drive from Winston-Salem.

The lodge is fully furnished, with a complete kitchen, beds for 18 people, and several bathrooms. There are two large bedrooms, each with two queen-size beds, a private bathroom, and a fireplace; one small bedroom with two twin beds; and a bunkhouse with a sitting room and two bedrooms, each with four bunk beds. We generally assign beds informally, putting couples in the larger bedrooms, unaccompanied women sharing the small bedroom, and unaccompanied men in the bunkhouse. We gather in the common areas, which include a large greatroom and the country kitchen, both of which have fireplaces.

The WFU lodge is an ideal site for moderately dark-sky observing. Even if the weather doesn't cooperate, it is an enjoyable place to spend a relaxing weekend.

Observing Conditions

The WFU Lodge is at about 3,000 feet (~910 m) elevation.
As you might expect from the location and elevation, temperatures are noticeably cooler than those in Winston-Salem. There is often a breeze, and sometimes heavy winds.
The limiting magnitude at zenith on a clear night is 6.5+. The site is a solid 4 or a bit better on the Bortle Scale. M31 is an easy naked-eye object, and M33 is possible with averted vision. The Milky Way is crisp and shows structure on a clear night.
The main observing area is the lawn in front of the lodge. It is reasonably flat and has room for twenty or more scopes. The grass is cut regularly, so we're observing on a lawn rather than in a grassy field.
From the main observing area, the horizons are excellent (0º to 2º) from 140º (SE) to 330º (NNW). The obstruction is 20º or less from 70º to 350º. The lodge itself and a tree line obstruct the horizon from 0º through 60º to a maximum of 34º. The horizons are sufficiently good that three of us ran a successful Messier Marathon there on 1/2 April 2003, with Paul Jones logging all 110 objects.
Local lights are not intrusive, with the exception of one mercury-vapor streetlight located about 100 yards from the main observing area. That light can be blocked, either with a vehicle or screen, or simply by setting up such that a nearer phone pole blocks the lamp.
There are small light domes from Fancy Gap and a couple of other small towns, but these do not extend far above the horizon. The major light pollution problem is the city of Mt. Airy, NC, about 25 miles to the south. Depending on season and where exactly you set up, most of the Mt. Airy lights can be screened by foliage. In clear weather, the light dome does not extend far above the horizon, and is not intrusive.
Dewing has not been a problem during any of our field trips so far. However, dew is always possible, so we recommend you bring along your dew shields and other anti-dewing equipment.

Registration and Cost

Wake Forest charges $25 per night for the lodge; WSAL usually books the lodge for three nights per trip, for a total lodging cost of $75. WSAL has set the minimum cost at $10 per person (total, not per night), unless that amount is insufficient to cover the lodge rental cost, in which case the cost is divided pro rata. Any excess money collected is used to fund the "Fancy Gap Box", a container of shared items such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, condiments, microwave popcorn, paper towels, and so on, as well as to fund minor miscellaneous WSAL expenses.

Non-WSAL guests are permitted depending on the space available.

What to bring

The lodge has a fully equipped kitchen with plates, silverware, glasses and cups. It also provides blankets and pillows. You must bring your own sheets, pillowcases and towels; some people bring their own pillows. You may also want to bring your own toilet paper. The temperatures at the Fancy Gap lodge are generally noticeably cooler than in Winston-Salem. Even summer evenings can be cool, so it's a good idea to come equipped for chilly weather. Spring and fall temperatures can be quite low at night, so if you're observing you may wish to bring thermal underwear and other protective gear. Winter temperatures are commonly below freezing, and as an exposed site on the side of a mountain, the lodge frequently experiences wind chills 20 degrees or more lower than the actual temperature.

Everyone is responsible for their own food and beverages. On the first night we generally have a communal dinner where everyone brings a dish to share. After that, breakfasts and lunches are on your own.

There is a charcoal grill available. If you plan to grill food, you will need to bring your own charcoal. Firewood is provided by the lodge.

If you have a telescope and/or binoculars, by all means bring them. The primary purpose of these sessions is to observe the night sky. If you don't have a telescope or binocular, you're welcome to join us anyway. Many of our members have "spare" telescopes, and at times we have had more telescopes than people present. If you haven't bought a scope yet, please let us know ahead of time. Some members may have an extra scope that they wouldn't ordinarily bring along but will if they know it's needed.

Although we hope for clear skies, the weather sometimes doesn't cooperate. We suggest you prepare for this eventuality by bringing along things to occupy your time--books, board games, playing cards, and so on.

Restrictions and Responsibilities

Wake Forest does not allow any pets on the property.
Alcohol is permitted.
Smoking is permitted by Wake Forest University, but those of us who smoke treat non-smokers with consideration. Informally, during clement weather we smoke only on the screened porch. During cold weather, we smoke indoors, but only near the main fireplace with the exhaust fan running. Smoking in shared bedrooms is permitted only if none of those sharing the bedroom object.
In the interests of safety, WSAL generally does not permit children under twelve
Non-astronomer family members are welcome, but should be aware that this is a rural lodge with no organized activities available. Also, the astronomers may be active all night and sleeping during the day, which is a quiet period.
During observing times, we ask that you maintain red-light discipline outdoors. Also, please keep indoor lighting to a minimum and keep the blinds closed. Please plan to arrive and depart during daylight hours if at all possible. If you must arrive or depart during the hours of darkness, please use only your parking lights.
If you plan to listen to music while you observe, please use headphones. Some people enjoy observing in silence, or may not care for the type of music you are listening to.
We are responsible for leaving the lodge as we found it. Before departure, we are required to clean the place up, including vacuuming, cleaning out the fireplaces, cleaning toilets, mopping the kitchen floor, and so on. We generally spend an hour or so doing that before we depart.

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