Hey Matt, Boy that's a switch, moving from Laguna Beach to such a small town! Hope the adjustment goes well; you certainly picked the right place for darker skies. It's close to where the locals consider one of the best spots in No. Utah -- Wolf Creek summit. I look forward to meeting you and seeing your scopes. SLAS's Lowell Lyon also has a 20-inch Obsession, and he sometimes makes it up there. I personally have no experience with observatories, but others locally do, so I'm copying this reply to the local astro lists and see what kinds of responses you get. Your last name is also Francis? We may be related; my mom's maiden name is Francis (she grew up in Lake Shore/Springville area). I too grew up in So. California (San Diego area). Anyway, welcome to Utah; you'll find a lot of terrific photon-loving folks here. Regards, Rich --- Matt <mattoid@allwest.net> wrote:

Hi Rich,

Congratulations on a very nice website! I really like the personal touch of showing photos of your members (of which I am now one also!) with their telescopes!

My wife and I recently moved to Francis Utah from Laguna Beach California. I'm used to trailering my telescopes for 2.5 hours to the Anza Borrego desert for clear, dark skies. About half of the time I set up camp in the dry lake bed there, high altitude clouds would form or the wind would pick up. Still, I did enjoy many beautiful nights there under the canopy of stars.

My telescopes (a 20 inch Obsession reflector and a Meade 12 inch SCT with SBIG ccd) are still in the trailer as we are still unpacking and finishing up moving in. I am looking forward to building an observatory in my backyard this spring and I was wondering if any of you have any experience with this. I want to collect as much information and input as possible before I begin construction. Currently I am thinking I will build a large shed with a roll off roof.

Thanks for the input!

Matt Francis

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