I have a convenient backyard layout that would allow me to easily wheel any big scope from the house to an unused b-ball court. The skies are DARK in this town; if I had the energy, I could have hi-quality viewing 200+ nights (remember, this is Arizona) a year, and not have to drive miles into the countryside for a decent viewing location.
This past June I was sailing well out on the North Atlantic ... on a passage from MA to Gibraltar, via the Azores. Standing watch at night I would use my Fujinon 7x50's to star gaze ... they have a large lense designed to give you optimum viewing in poor light conditions. They worked extremely well for star gazing ... especially on moonless clear nights. No artificial light contamination, I even turned off the running lights ... to guarantee clear viewing.