[sac-forum] Re: Trip to Dirt Blvd

Steve,
 
I know that everybody's drive time will be different to the various
sites. Mine is 75 minutes to Flatiron and 100 minutes to Hovatter. I've
thought about why there's so little difference (for me at least) between
these two sites. The mileage difference on I - 10 is 50 miles. But to
get to Flatiron, after leaving I - 10 I drive another 16 miles or so on
two-lane roads (fast, but not as fast as I - 10) and less than a mile on
dirt. With Hovatter, once I get off I - 10 I have 2 miles on dirt and
that's it. So it seems to me that the difference basically is 34 miles
on I - 10 at 75 (okay, maybe 80) mph plus another mile on dirt. Doing
the math, I can rationalize the 25 minute difference I observe. From
what you've said, the total travel time to Dirt Blvd. would be
approximately the same as to Flatiron.
 
I'm not suggesting we always go to Hovatter. It's just a heck of a nice
site and I'd like to use it more. 
 
Thanks for your patience,
 
Dan
 
-----Original Message-----
From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steve Coe
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 8:19 PM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Trip to Dirt Blvd
 
Peter;
 
We viewed this site as a replacement for Flatiron, not in contention
with the Antennas site at Hovatter Road.  From my house at 7th ST. and
Thunderbird, the Flatiron or Dirt Blvd sites are about 1 hr 20 min and
the Antennas site is 2 hr 20 min.  So, I would be going to the Dirt Blvd
site on third quarter nights and tearing down the scope at midnight and
driving home.  The Antennas site would generally be a sleep over night
and return in the morning.
 
That's how I see it;
Steve Coe
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Peter Argenziano
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 4:11 PM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Trip to Dirt Blvd
 
Well, I definitely want to check out this site.
 
Six miles of a dusty road is a big negative to me, but I'll reserve
final judgment until I've used the site - maybe this weekend. The long,
dusty road out to Farnsworth Ranch is that site's biggest drawback. It's
OK for the twice annual usage; not sure I'd like to do that every month.
 
For me, and I know everyone has different criteria, I'd rather drive a
few extra miles and use a nice, dark, easily-accessed site like Hovatter
each new Moon. I usually stay overnight anyway, so the extra drive time
is irrelevant (to me).
 
Thanks for locating a new site.
 
Peter
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Steve Coe <mailto:stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>  
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 2:42 PM
Subject: [sac-forum] Trip to Dirt Blvd
 
Howdy folks;
 
We had me, AJ, Andrew Goodwin and Paul Lind at the "Dirt Boulevard"
about 60 miles from the center of Phoenix, last night.  It was a good
evening and we enjoyed the Moon, bright star clusters and some double
stars.
 
I would like to start a discussion about holding the February 10th star
party at this site so that people can make up their mind about using it
in the future.  I don't believe that we can make a decision until enough
people have information about the site and have seen it for themselves
before we can get a consensus opinion.  There is plenty of room for a
club star party at this location.  
 
There are plenty of good things to say about the site, it is on a desert
pavement, so the site itself is not dusty.  The sky is quite dark, it
seems noticeably darker than Flatiron.  The route there is well marked
by road signs.
 
The bad news is two things.  One, it is a dusty road for 6 miles.  Two,
you must set up at the correct location to use the hill to the north to
block off the lights of the Palo Verde power station.  I marked the
correct location with some pieces of cement block that were dumped at
the site.  If you can see Palo Verde while setting up, then move;-)
 
AJ and I need to compare notes to get a set of directions ready for the
newsletter and we will do that in the next couple of days.  
 
Please provide some feedback about your thoughts, here.  Are enough
folks willing to try it out?  Do we want to look at this as a
replacement for Flatiron, if not, does someone have another possibility?

 
Thanks for your input;
Steve Coe

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