For a sci-fi writer, there is something excellent-- I'd almost say essential, but that wouldn't be right-- but definitely unforgettable, about going out to McDonald Observatory and getting to really see the full scope of the wonders of the universe. This trip, since it there was only a sliver of a crescent moon, I got to see the vast swath of Milky Way stars for the first time in my life. Plus I saw Saturn (and Titan!), Mars and the Orion Nebula in the telescopes. More fuel for my fertile imagination.

I also, on this trip, figured out the plot progression points on Maradaine Constabulary that weren't quite sitting right. Happy about that.