When it was time to buy a new car we decided on the smallest car with the best gas mileage that would still allow me to haul my 18" Obsession and sleep in the back. That ended up being a Rav4. So far it's been great, and on highway trips I get 29 - 30 mpg. People spend lots of money on their hobbies. I think in the end astronomy can be one of the least expensive. think about people with boats, or hard core skiers. Most people have to travel to enjoy their hobby, even if they're bridge players.
Richard
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Natscher <natscher@No-Spam>
To: [TAC] <sf-bay-tac@No-Spam>
Sent: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 4:14 pm
Subject: Re: [TAC] Are Auto Gas Prices Changing Your Astronomy Hobby?
ince moving to Monterey seven years ago and having an office 1.5 miles walk
owntown, I now only put about 5k miles per year on my SUV, vs. the 14k
i./yr. when I lived and worked in the Bay Area. Not that this entitles me
o use this difference in gas usage on my recreational activities such as
riving to observing sites, I¹m now very conscious of the low 20 mpg I¹m
etting now. It wasn¹t an issue 8 years ago when I bought the SUV. Times
ave change since 2001 and I surprised that many are still spending a lot of
oney buying the same 20 mpg vehicles. My wish is to keep my 80 cu. ft.
argo area to transport my scopes Œand¹ get 40 mpg, but that¹s here, yet.
¹ll certainly buy that kind of vehicle when it¹s available. Until then,
¹ll keep my 20 mpg SUV but drive it less.
Peter Natscher in Monterey
rom: Jeff Gortatowsky <indanapt@No-Spam>
eply-To: Jeff Gortatowsky <indanapt@No-Spam>, The Astronomy Connection
sf-bay-tac@No-Spam>
ate: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 15:38:19 -0800 (PST)
o: The Astronomy Connection <sf-bay-tac@No-Spam>
ubject: Re: [TAC] Are Auto Gas Prices Changing Your Astronomy Hobby?
I commute via train for $60 net after my employer reimburses me $100 of my
onthly ticket.
ven so, I generally spend $60 once a month just for getting to and from the
rain station (8 miles round trip). My wheels get terrible mileage in the
ity and it would probably be worth it to get some putt putt for that round
rip.
If you'd have asked this question two years ago, the answer would have been,
nd was even at $2/gallon "yes"... money was tight. Tight as in putting $3
n the tank to get to payday. But now, well no. Spending $40 - $75 in gas
or a night or two of observing a month seems reasonable given the amount I
ave invested in equipment. Plus of course $7 for starbucks, $10 at subway
or $15 at The Corner Bakery) for dinner and a late night snack... etc...
I am surprised at a few of the reactions written here. I expected there'd be
lot more tree huggers chiding us. (Please reply off list if that offended
ou as none was meant.)
However energy prices are yet another good reason to enjoy solar astronomy.
o travel needed (at least not down here).
---------------------------------------
effrey D. Gortatowsky
ullerton, California
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Received on Wed Mar 05 17:06:41 2008