Dark Sky Parks

Someday I'd like to go to the Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania where apparently there's the best view of the Milky Way on the East Coast:

You can't, of course, but here at Cherry Springs State Park, you can get a better view of the heavens than probably any other place on the East Coast.
[...]
Pennsylvania's state park system designated Cherry Springs as a "dark sky" park, one of a small but growing number of parks around the country dedicated to preserving the night sky and offering stargazers a place to view the heavens with as little interference from man-made light pollution as possible.

At 50 miles northwest of Williamsport, the nearest city of any size, the Potter County park fits the bill. No streetlights illuminate the road. Visitors wrap flashlights in red plastic wrap to prevent blinding themselves and others. Drivers must turn off their headlights before turning into the viewing area. Most stargazers bring telescopes, and many are willing to let other visitors take a look if they don't have their own.

The good news is that parks like this are starting to sprout all over the country and the movement to reduce light pollution of the night skies is gaining ground:

To the Dark-Sky Association, light pollution is not just a problem for astronomers. Unnecessary light wastes energy and can interfere with wildlife, and "when you're not shining a bright light in your neighbor's window, you can basically sleep better," Gent said.
[...]
"What we're finding is, more and more communities are taking action with zoning standards. States are debating this," Gent said.
[...]
While no national park is currently designated a dark sky park, certification plans through the International Dark-Sky Association are in the works, he said.

I'd love to take the kids to see the Milky Way when they're a little older, so that they can understand what they're looking at and the beauty of it all.

I first saw the Milky Way during a vacation in Umbria, Italy, in 2003 with Ray. The view was breathtaking. It was a vision to behold. It's so sad that people nowadays can't see the stars anymore because of all the light that brightens the sky at night.

Where we live now, a couple times, I've actually been able to spot the Milky Way (once pretty well), but it has to be a particularly clear night sky, and that's rare.

I sure was spellbound when I saw it though.