Let me See the Stars.

(Note: please read this first paragraph in the voice of the J Peterman character on the 80's TV show, Seinfeld )

Picture this: a rugged adventurer, his camera in hand, perched atop a rocky outcropping in a remote wilderness area. He's been waiting all night for the perfect shot - a stunning Milky Way panorama in all its celestial glory. The stars twinkle above, the air is still and quiet, and the scene is set for an epic photo op. But just as he's about to take the shot, a bright light on a tall pole in a neighboring campsite rudely interrupts his peaceful reverie. The adventurer is taken aback, frustrated that his once-in-a-lifetime shot has been ruined by an inconsiderate camper In the world of outdoor photography, there are few things more frustrating than light pollution, and this adventurer is about to learn that the hard way

Learn more at darksky org

So what is the big deal? Everyone uses lighting at camp, don't they? Well of course, for safety and practical reasons, we bring flashlights, lanterns, head-lamps and we have all sorts of auxiliary lights on our rigs and trailers But you ever have someone shine their flash-light in your eyes or forget to turn their headlamp off when talking to you? (guilty) There are plenty of reasons to be mindful of your lighting habits at home and at camp.

Artificial lighting can disrupt the natural environment and disturb wildlife. When you use low-impact lights and keep lighting to a minimum, you help preserve the natural environment and minimize your lighting's impact on the ecosystem.

Bright, high-intensity lights can interfere with your natural sleep patterns and disrupt circadian rhythms, which can affect your health and well-being

Low-impact lighting can help prevent accidents and injuries by illuminating paths and hazards in a subtle, non disruptive way, instead of blinding you with direct light.

Good lighting hygiene is respect for others. Whether you camp in dispersed areas or campgrounds, excessive lighting can disturb other campers and detract from the peacefulness of the natural environment. Use of low-impact lighting and being mindful of others shows respect for your fellow campers and helps create a more enjoyable experience.

Most importantly, at least to our intrepid adventurer at the beginning of this article, good lighting hygiene is important for dark sky preservation Light pollution, (excessive and misdirected use of artificial light) can negatively impact the visibility of the night sky. Light pollution makes it harder to see stars, constellations and the aurora borealis. By practicing good lighting hygiene, you can help preserve the dark sky and enhance your ability to enjoy the beauty and wonder of the night sky while camping.

In conclusion, practicing good lighting hygiene while camping is an important consideration for any camper who wants to enjoy the outdoors responsibly and respectfully. Think "Tread Lightly!" with light.

Incorporating good lighting hygiene principles while camping can help preserve the natural environment and minimize light pollution Here are some tips for camping with respect to dark sky and light pollution:

Use low-impact lighting: Choose lighting that is energy-efficient and low-impact, such as LED lanterns or flashlights Avoid using bright, highintensity lights that can disturb wildlife and other campers in your vicinity

Point lights downward: Point your lighting sources downward to avoid shining light into the sky This helps prevent light pollution and allows you to enjoy the night sky.

Use red lights: Red lights are less disruptive to wildlife and allow you to see without affecting your night vision. Consider using red filters for your campsite lights or purchasing lights that emit red light

Keep lighting to a minimum: Try to use as little light as possible while camping Only use lighting when necessary and turn off lights when you're not using them

Be mindful of your surroundings: be mindful of your surroundings and avoid disturbing other campers Be considerate of your neighbors and keep your lighting to a minimum

Check for local regulations: Some camping areas may have specific regulations on lighting and light pollution Before you go camping, check for any local regulations and adhere to them

By incorporating these good lighting hygiene principles while camping, you can help preserve the natural environment and minimize light pollution. You can also enjoy the night sky and the peacefulness of camping without disrupting wildlife or disturbing other campers

HAMBLOCK FORD

FORD PERFORMANE PARTS

THE BRONCO NATION

WILD HORSES 4×4

NORTHOLOGY ADVENTURES

ROCKTOWN ADVENTURES

TACKFORM

PANDA MOTORWORKS

METAL TECH 4X4

AUTO ACCENTS BY GINA

AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS

GREAT LAKES

UNDERCOATING

MIDWESTTREAD COM

JILLY'S JERKY

VOLCANO FALLS

BRIGHTER FOCUS

PHOTOGRAPHY

RV PERFORMANCE

AMERICOLD-BELVIDERE

LASHES BY LAYCI

BIRD DOG OVERLAND

CODY THE BRONCO

KONA THE BRONCO

HAMBLOCK FORD, BELVIDERE IL

2-5PM

FREE SWAG BAG FOR FIRST 100 BRONCOS CAR SHOW WITH PRIZES

RAFFLES, FOOD TRUCKS, DJ & MORE

ROCKY GLEN OHV ROCKFORD IL

5-10PM

OFF ROAD NIGHT RIDING ($50/VEHICLE)

TCTeardrops

"Really amazingly built trailers, super high quality, super great people, amazing company "

Skinny Guy Campers

"It's unbelievable how much stuff they pack into such a small package and then how big they get when they open them up "

Orion Motors

"Check these guys out, super, super cool stuff that they're doing, if you ' re a van life person, they have some really cool stuff "

Commonwealth 4x4 & Revere Overland

Awesome companies out of Kentucky local to the midwest... they've got all kinds of gear and are doing installs and sweet builds & outfitting "

All Dogs Offroad

"Obviously these guys are my favorite because I'm a Nissan guy and these guys are awesome!"

Becker Supply

"They make cool Midwestern swag like clothes and things, stickers a really neat company that is local to me "

Jason Fletcher of All Things Overlanding tells us his faves from MOORE Expo 2023

I got up early and walked around the MOORE Expo to show you all my favorite booths, kind of what they do, give you a little background on them so if you're interested in anything these guys have, definitely go check them out. These guys are all awesome- I met them all, I've shaken their hands and they're just amazing people and amazing companies with some cool stuff, so check them out!

Zero Breeze

"I hate camping in the summer because it's so hot... these guys make a battery-powered portable air conditioner "

CBI Offroad

"This bumper, man, and this armor, I love it Good looking truck, I love the bumper "

Xtrusion Overland

"Last but not least these things are just super cool So customizable, tons of ways you can do things "