Thanks. I've been thinking about trying to buy a tiny patch of land up around Virginia City, and building a dome up there. I'd just put in a pier, and leave it there. I wouldn't leave any equipment in there so there wouldn't be a risk of theft.

Here is a google earth view of my backyard trees from about 4 years ago before I removed the largest trees. Two trees were so large they covered much of my roof. I put and arrow where I built the pier last weekend. It wasn't a useable backyard for astronomy until I made changes. I was out last night and was amazed how much better my southern and eastern views are now. I still have 45 foot trees in the neighbors property directly to my west. Fortunately most objects are now available for imaging if you wait for the right time of year.

Removing large trees with a hand saw and extension ladder is hard work. I would tied the 32 foot ladder to a strong branch and use a pruning saw to remove the limbs up above. I would wear a hard had and tie off the branches that were being cut so someone else could pull them away to an area that I wanted them to fall. A large tree would fill 4-5 trailer loads of cut up branches. I still get a lot of afternoon shade from my neighbors tall trees so I don't feel bad about trimming back my overgrown back yard.

Jeff

Jeff, I'm envious... sooner or later I plan on setting up a pier and observatory down here. But for now all of my time and efforts are going into landscaping (need to keep the homeowners association happy). I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your pier/observatory as it takes shape. Am particularly interested to see if you end up have anything that you wish you had done differently or other 'lessons learned'... hopefully not, after all, we hope things go perfect!

Here is a picture of my Atlas on my new pier. I am excited that the sky is blue and I should be able to take the mount for a test drive tonight. I am looking forward to be able to park the mount at the end of the night and just unpark without realignment tomorrow night. I will spend a little time trying to do a drift alignment to see how will it tracks.

I plan on putting the mount on the tripod for the Golden State Star Party a week from now but I plan on getting in some image practice until then. Looks like this will be a great weekend for those ASN members at Martis Creek.

Jeff