New Sculpture at Crossroads

Now marking the entrance to Crossroads at Big Creek’s Astronomy Campus is a sculpture with the working name, “Exoplanet X with Two Moons.” It was recently mounted at the crossroads of Utah Street and the aptly named Sky Gazer Trail (across from Cove Road). People visiting the Stonecipher Astronomy Center and the Leif Everson Observatory should now have no trouble finding the gate.

With encouragement from Ray Stonecipher, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society President Dave Udell came up with the idea and design for creating an Exoplanet. The sphere was formed and welded by Colt Knutson and with the assistance of Mike Egan and Jim Maki, cleaned. It then had additional work done by Eric Mack.

Ski season began the last week of November at Crossroads, but conditions deteriorated rather quickly. Watch the Crossroads website, crossroadsatbigcreek.org, for current trails conditions. Once the snow is adequate, the trails will be groomed and the Ski-for-Free program will begin. The ski loan program will be offered on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 – 3:30 pm.

On Dec. 13 at 1 pm, join the naturalist for a one-hour hike to the evergreen forests of Crossroads to learn some of ways trees are adapted to surviving the winter. Hikers should meet at the Collins Learning Center, and the hike is free and open to the public.

The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan St., is open 2 – 4:30 pm daily. Trails are free and open to the public. Ski Trails are reserved for skiers only. Hikers are asked to use designated hiking trails.