Thanks for the feedback Scott.

I've seen the Dark Skies near Franklin about 2 new moons ago. Found a
fairly open spot along the road between Stecoah and Robbinsville, NC.
There were so many stars visible that night I could barely find the
Big Dipper. WOW! Everything else since then has lead to
disappointment. I'll have to look up the Kimsy Creek location you
mentioned.

Regarding KMSP, if you do plan to go you will need the combination to
the campground gate to let yourself out (if you're not camping). It's
typically locked at 9:00PM. I've been trying (without success) to get
in touch with the Ranger there for permission to use the field at the
"Living Farm" site. From the aerial photos it would appear to offer
minimal obstructions to the sky, and you wouldn't have the issue of
headlights coming in/out of the campground. From what I've heard, she
is an amateur astronomer herself and I would think she would be
sympathetic to the cause.

In the meantime; since I posted the other day I've downloaded Google
Earth and have found 2 overlays which attempt to depict the light
pollution on the maps. It's truly fascinating to play with and from
what I'm seeing the viewing may be a little better further South. I'll
post details on the overlays and potential sites later.

Thanks,
--Doug


--- In gastoncountyskywatchers@yahoogroups.com, "BellSouth"
<holl8127@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Doug,
>
> I had thought that KMSP might be a good site also, although, I've
never been
> there at night.
> I've been down here in Gastonia/Lowell area for 7 years now, but I
come from
> Franklin, N.C. about 3 hours west of here.
> I haven't found any really good location near here (anything that is
really
> superior to my Light Polluted back yard).
>
> Back home in the mountains I used to go to the Kimsey Creek site at
Standing
> Indian Campground for some really dark skies.
>
> Clear Dark Skies,
> Scott Holland
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gastoncountyskywatchers@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:gastoncountyskywatchers@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Doug Cook
> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2006 4:04 PM
> To: gastoncountyskywatchers@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Gaston County Skywatchers] New to Astronomy, looking for
Dark
> Skies - Fort Mill, SC
>
>
> Greetings,
>
> I've recently acquired a 5" Mak scope and have been having a blast
8<snip>8