Here's my local version of "dark skies", about a half hour to the west of the Western 'Burbs of Chitown. This is about where the law of diminishing returns sets in, as far as " dark sky" return on "westward travel" investment, so I've made myself happy with this spot, and I'm fairly pleased with this result, being a single exposure of 30 seconds at f/5.6 ( taken 11/14/2012.) It does show dust lanes, after all!
We are looking at property out that way. People would be shocked at how remarkably normal Illinois is once you’re away form the influence of the cesspool that is Chicago.