Resources and Reflections

I’ve spent many nights under the stars, on mountaintops and high windy ridges and on beaches by the sea. The magnificence of these settings is liek a springboard to the heavens. When night falls, and the sky unfurls its incomparable banner of stars, I have often felt myself being lifted a little closer to the face that lies behind it all, aided in no small part by the effort of getting to the places where the skies are pristine, dark and breathtaking in all their mystery and beauty.

Unfortunately, most city-bound folks seldom, if ever, see the naked sky, their veiw obscured by pollution and back scatter from a million streetlights. Like the endorphins generated by intense exercise, an unobscured view of a glittering sky elevates the spirit and is a common heritage of mankind that is rapidly being lost to a good part of humanity. A shame I say. 

Emerald Empire Adventures is lucky to have been offered the opportunity to utilize the Mann Ranch (see map below) for our traveler’s edification and pleasure. At nearly 2800 ft. elevation at the crest of the Coast Range and many miles from teh nearest street light, Mann Ranch offers an unequalled setting for amateur astronomy or plain old naked eye stargazing, either as part of an exhilarating cycle tour or as a star party location. 

Geograhic and astronomic awarness are intimately linked in our mind and, we believe, in the human spirit, We will be expressing and discussing this perspective her, and blow are providing several links to other interested in this topic.

International Dark-Sky Association A non-profit member organization that teaches others how to preserve the night sky through factsheets, law references, pictures, and web resources.

Dark Sky Society – Home They work to “preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of the dark skies through quality outdoor lighting. …

Dark Skies Locator Use this site to find a light pollution free location near you. View conditions from various city around the world.

Dark Skies of Westcliffe, Colorado, Homepage Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley, Custer County, Colorado and the city of Westcliffe is dedicated to the preservation of our dark sky heritage through …

I did not know until doing a Google Search that “Dak Skies” is also “… a government UFO conspiracy theory-based sci-fi drama television series from America which aired during the 1996-1997 season …”

Who knew?

Map of Mann Ranch

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Ukiah to the coast via Orr Springs Rd 50 Photos	This is a world-class ride through the Mendocino County back country. After climbing up from the Ukiah valley, you can take a break at the top of the Coast Range at the Mann Ranch, a 100 year old, 1600 acre piece of paradise. In future we will be working with the family to plan events centered on their location and to make the spectacular private campsites ther available to our guests. In the meantime it is a fantastic spot to catch your breath after the long climb.
From there we will take the steep narrow poorly maintained road through eight hairpin switchbacks down to Orr Hot Springs, where we spend the night in one of their quaint old cabins and take in the waters.  Next day we ride down to the coast to Mendocino town where we have dinner and spend the night in a beautiful B&B and enjoy the sights sounds and flavors of this gem of the coast.
Next day we ride the final 12 miles to the Skunk Train Depot in Ft. Bragg where we take the train back up the hills to Willits.

Route map and elevation profile

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