FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] The future of the Sentinel Star Gaze

["Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello folks;

I have now heard several people who know tell me that the location of =
the
Sentinel Star Gaze is not very safe.  That is from a deputy sheriff in =
Gila
Bend and the folks who run the small store at Sentinel.  The border =
patrol
is having some problems in this area and like so many agencies just =
don't
have the personnel to control the border. =20

If there is a modest crowd for this Saturday, they would have no =
problem,
but in the future I would like to discuss a safer location.

On the way to Sentinel on Thursday, I visited the camp ground at the =
Painted
Rocks state park.  To get there, drive as if you are going to Sentinel.
About 15 miles before the Sentinel exit off of I-8 is Painted Rocks =
Road.
This is exit 102.  Take it to the right (north) for 10 miles and take =
the
left fork of the road.  There is a sign there for Painted Rocks Park.  =
Down
the road half a mile will get you the entrance to the park.  The second
right turn will lead to the campground.  There is a brick public =
restroom
and picnic tables.

The ranger there told me that with a phone call to him, he can close off =
a
section of the campground just for us.  He is Bob Nelson 928-683-2513.

There was absolutely no one there on Thursday and there is plenty of =
room to
get away from Bob's trailer.  He said if you are coming down from April =
to
early Oct. you will have the place to yourself.

There is a payment due of $4 per day per vehicle.  I think that was a =
senior
rate, the "junior rate" was something like $6.

I know that it is not the best solution because of the possibility of =
other
campground users having bright lights, dogs and other annoyances.  =
However,
if Sentinel is truly a dangerous place, then we ought to at least hold =
this
conversation.

Let me hear from you;
Steve Coe



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