Re: Hi there

The parking lot has no gates -- it's essentially open 24/7. The park itself is day-use only (except for
special events), so there wouldn't be any staff there in the evenings (after dark). The county mounties
sometimes cruise through, but they're used to seeing astronomers there. Although I don't use it for
personal viewing, I don't see any reason why it can't be used 'whenever', even if no scheduled event is
occuring. There is a porta-potty there, but it's probably locked if no astro event is scheduled........?

As to fog, it's a toss-up. Sometimes the fog penetrates that far inland (and even farther), and other times
it doesn't. Hard to determine beforehand; if it looks like there's a chance, you just show up and cross your
fingers!

Traffic notwithstanding, the skies can get fairly dark there.......

Jim ..... :-)

======================================
Jim Bartolini nytgems@No-Spam
======================================

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Sherman Johns
  To: 'TAC mailing list'
  Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 12:13 PM
  Subject: Re: [TAC] Hi there

  Jim,

  Do you know if they will chase you from Garland if it's not a MIRA public star party J? Not that I am not interested in attending/participating in a star party, but I would like to get out observing by then. How is the fog situation there?

  Thanks.

  Sherman

  From: tac-bounces@No-Spam [mailto:tac-bounces@No-Spam] On Behalf Of Jim Bartolini
  Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 11:58 AM
  To: TAC mailing list
  Subject: Re: [TAC] Hi there

  Hi, Sherman.

  Regarding Garland Ranch: true, it's just a parking lot along the road, so it's not really any

  good for deep-sky observing. However, we (MIRA) do use it for public star parties once a

  month or so. The next one is Nov. 20th, if you're interested in participating (I'm the lead

  astronomer/coordinator for the event).

  The closest dark sky site to Monterey is Fremont Peak, about 45 miles from my home. Beyond

  that, I'll leave it to the other TAC'os to provide you with more than enough info on other dark

  sky sites that are relatively close.

  Clear skies!

  Jim ..... :-)

  ======================================
  Jim Bartolini nytgems@No-Spam
  ======================================

  ----- Original Message -----

    From: Sherman Johns

    To: tac@No-Spam

    Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 11:44 AM

    Subject: [TAC] Hi there

    Hi there everyone,

    I am new to the area and just moved from Hawaii to Monterey. I will only be staying here for a short while, 15 months to be exact, but want to make the most of my time here. I have been trying to find dark sites that are relatively close to Monterey. I recently used Pinnacles National Park, but it is quite a ways (~90 minutes) from where I live.

    I also saw that Garland Ranch Park was listed, but found out (by driving there today) that it is basically a parking lot adjacent to the main road.which I assume has a lot of traffic in the evening. Can anyone suggest a site that is within 45 minute driving distance from Monterey, where one can escape the fog (I have a permanent wood pier in my backyard, that has seen little use due to fog) and the light J?

    Thanks in advance!

    Sherman

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  ---

  Who's observing where? http://observers.org/OI-calendar/
  Put astro events on TAC's calendar: http://observers.org/calendar/Event.shtml
  TAC mailing list - to join, manage, or leave: http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/tac

---
Who's observing where? http://observers.org/OI-calendar/
Put astro events on TAC's calendar: http://observers.org/calendar/Event.shtml
TAC mailing list - to join, manage, or leave: http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/tac