In 2003, I got interested in amateur astronomy, and I began to observe at 31.1272°N, 95.4452°W. Light pollution, gauged on a scale from white (worst) though red, orange, yellow, green, blue, to black (best), is "blue" at this site. In two directions, SSE and N, unwanted light extends to approximately 20º and 10º above the horizon, resp. Otherwise, the sky is black. The current seeing conditions at this location are found here.
You can see a current sky chart (created by Sky & Telescope) for the site by clicking here. (Note: The applet will not work for all systems.)
I do only visual observing, no photography. (That's not quite true now.) Globular and open clusters are my primary targets. Otherwise, I am casually working my way through the 110 Messier Objects.
The telescopes that I use (have used) are these:
Takahashi Mewlon 180mm
Takahashi TSA 120mm
Takahashi TSA 102mm
Takahashi TOA 130mm (#S03005)
Meade AR5 120mm (sold)
Celestron C8 (courtesy of John W. Baker)