[AZ-Observing] Willard Springs

Early yesterday afternoon Ken Reeves and I made a last minute decision
to take up Brent Archinal's invitation to join CAS at the transfer
station located at the end of this road south of Flagstaff, on county
property, not closed because of fire danger and adjacent to the closed
Coconino National Forest.  We desperately wanted to observe from a cool
site and 700 ft elevation sounded like just what we wanted.

We arrived about an hour before sunset, met Tom (last name forgotten),
were promptly followed by the US Forest Service and told it was really
part of the forest and closed, we would have to leave.

Upon Brent and Padraig Houlahan's arrival they were quite surprised at
this turn of events and tried to talk a second set of Forest Rangers
into believing their story - it didn't work.  By this time we were
joined by some other CAS members.

Not to be out of an observing session, Padraig arranged for us to use an
area in the back of the Lowell Observatory Grounds!  While Ken and I
setup they went to help with the public viewing session.

Not being at the Willard Springs site very long I can't give a good
description, but there are first impressions.  The site isn't very large
as compared to places like Vekol Rd, Sentinel and the like; if care is
take while parking perhaps as many as 15 vehicles may be accommodated.
Area wise it is about the size of Eagle Eye Rd.  The open area is wide
enough to give reasonably good horizons with the south and west getting
the nod.  Since we left the site about sunset I can't comment on the
observing conditions; but I'd guess it to be worth the trip to get out
of the heat.  It would be good place to observe from for a late moon
rise, and a sleep over as it is about a two hours drive from Phoenix.

Observing from Lowell Observatory was, to say the least, very special
not just because of its importance, but Ken and I had a chance to speak
with Brent, Padraig, Tom and a couple other members of CAS whose names
escape me.  This is really a cool site to observe from!

Nope, didn't see \Brian, figured he was working and didn't want to
interrupt.

All in all not just a fun time, but a memorable observing session.  I
plan to try Willard Springs again in the future.

AJ Crayon
www.saguaroastro.org

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