[sac-forum] Re: Trip to Dirt Blvd

Tom, et al;

I have scouted that general part of the state once and I found a spot, but
the road was not good and the site was not large enough to hold a big star
party, probably only 20 vehicles or so.  I would be interested in trying
that area again.  It will be easier to get at from the freeway, but I don't
think it will be as dark as the Dirt Blvd site because it will be closer to
the freeway and Palo Verde.  But that is only a guess.

We shall see;
Steve Coe


-----Original Message-----
From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Tom Polakis
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 9:16 PM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Trip to Dirt Blvd

The area we were looking at was right on the edge of BLM land.
Unfortunately, the BLM land began right where the terrain became non-level,
sloping up to the east.  Here is an overview from Google Earth that shows
the Steve & AJ (and Rick!) site as well as ours.

http://members.cox.net/tpolakis/astro/sites1.jpg

The advantages of our site would be that it's another five miles or so
farther from Phoenix, and reached in less time and distance, and with little
dirt road driving.  The disadvantage is that we really haven't settled on
anything yet; we only drove out there once, and were at all times bothered
by being under power lines and in view of the parade of headlights along
I-10, not to mention the well-illuminated rest area.

Now traveling farther south and east of our site (at least according to
Google Earth) shows some promise.  Check out this closer view.

http://members.cox.net/tpolakis/astro/sites2.jpg

The "potential site" is right on the edge of BLM land, is farther from the
freeway and power lines, and still offers low hills to the east to block out
Phoenix and Palo Verde without a compromised view to the south.  This site
would be reached by using paved roads: 411 St south to Salome Highway west.

Now, we have not yet scoped it out to see if that leveled area with my
ominous label "Lights?" is really lit up.  And we don't know how many local
lights become visible to the north from the western suburbs of Tonopah.  If
these are a problem, then there likely are not many other options in this
area, as moving any farther to either the east or west brings you into
farmland, and it's difficult go go any farther south.

I will let you know when I get a chance to get out there.  There's this
annoying thing called a job that has been preventing me from getting out
there on weeknights.

Tom

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