Multi-day activation on a single trip

All POTA operators will be aware that the activation calendar is based on the UTC day. So if your activation session extends across the 0000 UTC hour the new contacts are counted against the next day and a fresh activation. In the US Eastern time zone; we are 4 hours behind UTC during our summer. This makes activations past the 8 PM local time count against a fresh day. 

Although, the time differential makes it convenient, I have not taken advantage of this as much as I would like to. Often, I need to be home to get ready for the early start next day. However, I have done multi-day activations twice to date. During the peak of our summer we have daylight past 9:30 PM and it is generally easier then. I made my first multi-day activation one one of those long days. Today however, our sunset was at 7:30 PM. But the weather was predicted to be mild and nice. The skies were going to be clear with some moonlight. I decided to activate Maybury State Park K-1518 that is very close to my QTH. I went in prepared with additional lights to enable me to work in the dark. 

After making about 60 contacts for the current day, I decided to take a break and take in some light reading. As I was counting down the minutes to the start of the new UTC day, I took in the beautiful sunset from my perch. 

Time to enjoy the sunset and do some reading!

As the sun began to set, the crowds began to thin.  Consequently the parking lot began to look more and more desolate; until finally all that was left was my motorcycle.

It was fully dark by around 8 PM. The park was eerily silent and a sole light lit the parking lot a little ways away.  It was reassuring to be able to keep my ride back home in sight! 

The zero UTC hour! I decided to work CW on 40m! Spotted myself lower in the band and put out CQs

POTA after dark.

I worked 3 contacts at a furious pace. Suddenly all hell broke loose -- no QRL-- just digital noise mayhem. It was the RTTY day. The RTTY folks took over the band and pretty much took over usual CQ haunts. I switched over to 7.114 MHz and re-spotted myself. I need not have worried about making a successful activation. The contacts came in fast and furious. After about 15 contacts, the deluge stopped. Time to put out a few QRT calls to catch any stragglers! Finally I was done. Took me another 20 minutes to pack up and begin the ride back home.