[sac-forum] Re: Dirt Rd vs. Saddle Mountain

The name of the place is Dirt Boulevard...it is fun and distinctive;-)

While driving back last Saturday and chatting on the radio I got in touch
with the problems of both Dirt Blvd. and Saddle Mt.  The Dirt Blvd. site
asks club members to drive a long way on a very dirt road.  I know that the
site is good as far as sky is concerned, but it certainly is asking a lot to
get there.  It is also somewhat difficult to find.

I really don't like the idea of packing up my scope and driving to site
where every westbound truck runs its headlights across the observing field
and that is the problem with the Saddle Mt. site.

So, maybe what there is to say is that we need to get motivated to find
another spot.  I think that south of the I-10 is a good choice because the
southern skies are better than Flatiron from there.  I don't think that a
lot further out the freeway is worthwhile because you might as well go to
the Antennas site.

I will leave this with "keep looking".  I believe that there is a site out
there that meets the criteria of pretty easy to get to and good skies, we
just need to find it.

Here's hoping;
Steve Coe


                -----Original Message-----
                From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Richard Harshaw
                Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:40 PM
                To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
                Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Dirt Rd vs. Saddle Mountain

                I think another night is needed since I can't really compare
my Saddle Mountain trip with Dirt Road.  I think Saddle Mountain is easier
to get to (a lot less driving on dirt / gravel roads), and maybe is just a
tad bid darker than Dirt Road, but with the weather, it's hard to say for
sure.  Saddle Mountain seems to have less small town clutter on the horizon
(although the hill at Dirt Road hides Arlington etc pretty well).  One
drawback is the late night traffic at Saddle (a couple of members have
reported late night drive-bys), but on the other hand, Dirt Road is just off
the Agua Caliente road and it too could suffer from late night drivers.

                I think we need a good, clear night at Dirt Road before we
can say for sure which of the two is better, if either.

                Dick H


                _____________________________________________
                From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Rick Tejera
                Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 7:25 PM
                To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
                Subject: [sac-forum] Dirt Rd vs. Saddle Mountain

                OK those who stuck it out and have been to both sites:
Opinions? Pro/Cons? Since the wx wasn't ideal would another night (Dec) at
Dirt Rd be useful before deciding?

                Clear Skies

                Rick Tejera

                President, Editor SACnews

                Saguaro Astronomy Club

                Phoenix, Arizona

                www.saguaroastro.org <http://www.saguaroastro.org/> 

                saguaroastro@xxxxxxx

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