Up here, away from the bright lights of the parkway, the night sky puts on a show. On a clear night you'll see far more stars than most of us ever do at home — and sometimes the soft band of the Milky Way stretching right over the ridge.
How to make the most of it
Turn off the deck and porch lights and give your eyes 15–20 minutes to adjust — it makes a huge difference.
Head to the darkest deck, away from any glow, lean back, and let the sky fill in.
The hot tub after dark, lights off, looking up, is the house favorite — see The hot tub.
Check the moon: a new moon means the darkest skies and the most stars; a bright full moon washes them out (but lights up the mountains beautifully).
Bring a phone stargazing app to name what you're seeing, and watch for satellites drifting past — including the occasional train of Starlink satellites, the very ones bringing you the wifi.
Clear, crisp nights — often right after a cold front passes — give the best views. Pack a layer; even summer evenings get cool on the ridge.