[sac-forum] Re: Dirt Rd vs. Saddle Mountain
- From: "Dan Gruber" <dgruber@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 19:02:15 -0700
I'm grateful to the folks who are willing to look for other alternatives.
Among the things you'll consider in evaluating alternatives, I assume that
one factor will be travel time from some fixed point like the 101 and I -
10.
My experience has been that Antennas, which I personally think is our best
regular site, is 30 minutes further than Flatiron, the extra 50 miles on I -
10 (at 75 mph) being partially offset by the longer drive off of I - 10 to
Flatiron. I understand that 30 minutes (and maybe net 35 miles) more each
way is significant, especially to those who can't stay the night. But at
what point would a time and distance difference not be worth it?
Obviously, we'd all like to find a new site that's as good as and as close
as Flatiron. Good luck to the search party, and thanks!
Dan Gruber
-----Original Message-----
From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:32 PM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [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
Other related posts:
