When KFDX Channel 3 News came out to see what All Is Well Resort was all about, they found it’s a perfect spot for stargazing. We weren’t surprised. Away from the glow of Dallas–Fort Worth, the skies over Saint Jo, Texas, are dark enough to make you stop mid-sentence. Here’s what to look out for through the year.
Spring (March to May)
Spring nights are mild and comfortable, perfect for sitting out on the deck in a light jacket. From early spring, the core of the Milky Way starts rising in the early hours before dawn. Set an alarm, pull on a hoodie and step outside for something special. By late spring, it’s rising earlier each night.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is Milky Way season. On a moonless night, it arcs across the sky in the late evening, bright and unmistakable. Warm nights mean you can stay out for hours, and the Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid-August. It’s one of the best showers of the year, and the view from a hot tub takes some beating.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn might be our favourite all-round season. The heat eases off, the evenings are crisp and clear, and the Milky Way is still visible early in the night through September and into October. Get cosy by the fire pit, then slip into the hot tub as the temperature drops.
Winter (December to February)
Winter brings long nights and often very clear air. It gets dark early, so you can stargaze before dinner. Look for Orion and the bright winter stars, and try to catch the Geminid meteor shower in mid-December. A steaming hot tub on a cold, clear night is pure magic.
Tips for the best view
- Check the moon. The darkest skies come around the new moon. A full moon is beautiful, but it washes out fainter stars.
- Give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust, and keep your phone screen dim or switched to red light.
- Lie back and look up. Every yurt, dome and mirror house has a big deck, which is the perfect front-row seat.
- Download a star app before you arrive so you can put names to what you’re seeing.
Whenever you come, the sky puts on a show. Pick a new moon weekend and book your front-row seat.
