I know exactly what you're saying, Nerdgineer. Last night I was out for a walk through an area that has absolutely no light sources whatsoever, and yet the light bouncing from the clouds/smog made it bright enough that flashlights were unecessary to dark-adjusted eyes. What's really sad is whenever there isn't cloud, there's more than enough smog to make up for it. Everytime I'm driving down the 10 or 210 freeway heading towards LA, the landscape slowly dissappears across the horizon under smog cover. It's kind of eery, and sickening at the same time.
As for a trip into the mountains to get away from it all, I'll have exactly that chance this September. My friends and I are going to Yellowstone, and the Thor is coming along! But mind you, I won't be using it in ways that will ruin the ambience for other campers. Well, not much, at least. My own higher-than-average sense of environmental awareness ought to keep me in check.
