I've been following the messages about possible alternate observing sites to the Sentinel site, and was interested in hearing Steve Coe's and others' reports about a "Painted Rocks State Park" (and also "Picture Rocks State Park"). Having looked carefully at lists of AZ state parks before, I was surprised that I did not recall hearing of this park before. The reason, according to their web site at http://www.blm.gov/az/pfo/paint.htm, is that it was a state park at one time, but is no longer. The current official name is the Painted Rocks Petroglyph Site, and it's under BLM management. The web site also notes that there was once a "Lake Unit" with camping and access to a lake and dam, but that area is now closed. I'm guessing that may be one of the areas that Gene Lucas refers to in his e-mail about a SAC star party there several years ago. However, maybe someone from SAC could get special permission to use that part of the site? If possible that might guarantee a "disturbance-free" (other campers, lights, cars, illegal aliens) star party. Given the distance from Flagstaff, I haven't observed at Sentinel yet or even been in the area of these sites and of Painted Rocks. But I hope to make it down at some point on a long weekend for observing. At least it's a little warmer than the -5 F at my house this morning... - Brent -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.