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Yes, tell us more Mike

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Okay then, here's the bird's eye lowdown on that caper, whatever that means:

First, on Google Earth's LP overlay the property is located in the center of the "light black" area (one tone darker than TMSP), between the illumination sources of Goldendale (pop. 3500) and The Dalles (larger but light blocked by a ridge.) The elevation is around 1750'. There are no floodlights in the immediate vicinity; *but* when I was last there in June the first stages of property improvement in a neighboring lot were happening.

There's about 1/2 mi. of gravel on county road after blacktop (some dust kicked up while driving), not counting driveway. Gravel driveway goes along the south border of the property, maybe 50 yd. from the elevated portion of the 20 acre lot, which is the best place for setting up (it's where I'll some day build an observatory.)

The property is totally unimproved. This means that from the common driveway a vehicle would have to negotiate a bit of a ditch to get onto the lot, but I think with care passenger cars could do this with little trouble. Setup would be, as I said, roughly 50 yd. from the driveway on low (nothing above mid-calf) scrub and grasses. There's plenty of room for setting up gear, car camping, tents, etc., etc.

The horizon is essentially uncluttered in all directions except south. The ground rises to the south, but not dramatically. While I haven't attempted to measure anything, I'd guess that the horizon to the south is roughly 10 deg. above horizontal. On a clear day the top 1000' or so of Mt. Hood to the SW is visible.

So summarizing, I'd describe the property as rough, but in a good location, and totally lacking amenities other than what we bring & rent (honey bucket.) I'd want someone else to give me a sanity check before I recommend it without reservation.

I'll attach a couple of pictures, taken in April '06, which might help.

First, here's the view to the north, with Mt. Adams in the background.

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Mike
Look! Up in the sky!
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