Allen and I were going to head out to the lakeside road tonight. Usually we go roughly 4.5 miles down the paved road from the freeway exit, to a left hand turn-off. (I think there is either a cattle guard painted on the road or a very small culvert just before the turn off, and a sign that says where the road goes. From there we go perhaps 1/4 mile to a wide area that is almost parking lot size, and we set up there. In the past we never had real problems with dust, but we haven't been out there yet this year. This gets us away from most residual freeway lights and most of the lights at that industrial plant. there is still a glow from Salt Lake, but it's no worse than Rush Valley, and probably not as bad. Normally we also get a nice serenade from the coyotes, which adds to the aura. We expect to head out there a little before 6:00 tonight. We'd love the company if anyone else wants to come, and we'll certainly let you know tomorrow how the NW horizon was. There are some hills to the west, but we're roughly 7 miles from the peak, which is 2200 feet above the valley floor, so they only block ~5 degrees, which we don't want to see anyway..... Jo

I was on the Lakeside road last night to see the comet. But a dust storm forced a hasty retreat. The lights visible out there (when the dust is blowing) are SLC glow to the east and some from the industries at Aragonite to the south. The north and north west are fine. The road is pretty much in the bottom of the valley, with dirt spurs to the east and west. I think one marked Well Pass goes up and over to Lakeside. This is dusty country; how would people would feel about setting up scopes on dusty dirt roads?

Did get to see the comet from the second Grantsville exit. Fun to see the comet and M31 in one binocular field of view.

If the weather's good I'll probably be on the Lakeside road tonight.

Bill Biesele