Reluctantly accepting the inevitable, the organizers began searching for a site that consumed less time and tires, yet gave darkness and elevation that was more reliable, if less perfect, than the Steens site. The answer came fairly quickly at Indian Trail Springs, located at 5000 feet in the center of Oregon. The weather is perfect except for the lone devastating dust-devil, and overnight views are spectacular. The OSP committee makes plans to combat the dust for the next year. Early arrivals enjoy good skies through Wednesday, but the thundershowers on Thursday afternoon were distressing.
Tents fail, observers quail, and a tree within throwing distance from many campers is electrocuted.
The Forest Service stops by, advises us to wait for the ground to dry before moving the cars, and heads off to fight the lightning-sparked fires that somehow have survived the rains. Friday night is dry but humid, and by late Saturday all cars are unplugged, telescopes are drained, and skies are cleaner than ever. Camping is strung along the main road, and the social atmosphere suffers for it. The dust returns with a vengeance, prompting more people to visit the swimming hole , a quiet spot along the upper Crooked River. The compromise is worthwhile this time, but washing a dark-sky site with moonlight is not planned again soon.