Anyone have eclipse plans?

I am wondering if anyone else out there has plans for the eclipse on Monday.  I realize that this is going to be pretty geographically focused, but even if you are not in the path of totality, there is a pretty wide area that will see at least a partial eclipse.

My parents will be traveling to visit during the eclipse.  I am lucky in that the exact center of the path of totality runs within a few hundred feet of my house!  Fun fact, back in 2017, the eclipse also passed right over my house as well.  I was 2 seconds from the peak of totality which passed only 6 miles from my house.  My parents were there then as well and as soon as the eclipse was over they got right on the road so as to beat the crowd that was exiting the are—only to drive straight into a 400 mile long traffic jam!  This was the longest traffic jam ever recorded in the United States and possibly the world.  This time they will be staying around until the traffic jam subsides.  Normally they live 4 hours away, but in 2017 the drive lasted over 12 hours!

In 2017, the sight was absolutely jaw-dropping!! I had always wanted to see an eclipse but I was totally unprepared for just how amazing it was to see the sun get blotted out of the sky for about 2 minutes and 30 seconds!  This year the eclipse might last longer, but we are a bit nervous about potential weather blocking the view.

So anyone else out there with plans?

Eric

I've debated driving down for it but it's 8 hours each way.  And I have three appointments on Tuesday.  And I'm dubious about the weather being worth the risk.  So I think I'll watch the partial from up here under the possible clouds :(

Mike, I am pretty certain that it isn’t actually 8 hours for you.  Judging from what happened in 2017, I would tack on an extra 8-12 hours given the 400 mile traffic jam.  I know that you live in northern Wisconsin, and years ago my wife and I drove 12 hours from Prentice, Wisconsin (her grandparents home).  I don’t know where Prentice is in relation to you, but Chicago is about 6 hours away.

Long story short, the drive would likely be very, very long and unless you are absolutely dedicated, you have probably made the right decision.

Eric

I just got back from the Big City.  Motel rooms have sold out at $1000.00 a night according to a local there.

I have big plans to stay home.
Historically, it will be cloudy here...
Plenty to do rain or shine... or eclipse...

We are in the path of totality. Only about 2 mins of it, but I'm excited. Some friends are coming out to stay. They are planning on Sunday but may come out Saturday if the traffic is looking nuts. They're stayed until Tuesday to miss the traffic going home.
We have lots of parking, a good viewing area and a downstairs bathroom so I have put out a general offer to some friends and family if they want to stop in. It looks like at least a few may come by. We'll see.
So far, the weather looks iffy so it is very much still up in the air. I did get the proper glasses for us and confirmed that they are legit so we are ready if it happens.
I think we might light up our fire pit for the first time as well. Seems like a suitably auspicious occasion for it.

I am within one hour drive of the totality paths both in 2017 and 2024 but I will just stay home. I will try to take some videos for GAMCOD during the eclipse.

For us, the eclipse is 2 1/2 hours long, with the totality 3 minutes long.

Before the boat people arrived, the Original People built Stone Circles. Some people call them Medicine Wheels. They can be constructed in a variety of ways, but most common is twelve large stones arranged in a circle around a center stone. They were used as places to gather for teaching, or healing, or Ceremony, or (a type of) meditation, and so on. The most well-known ancient one is the Medicine Wheel in the Big Horn Mts., in Wyoming.

We have several here on our farm, in Ohio. We are building a "new" circle, to be used for a particular reason. The center stone is several tons, the smaller surrounding stones are 500 to 1000 lbs. One way to think of the use of the Stone Circles is like the face of a clock, with 12 o'clock facing North. "One o'clock" corresponds to January.  So the stone facing east is March (3 o'clock), south is June (6 o'clock), September is the west facing stone (9 o'clock), and north is December. So when people gather at the Circle, they are able to stand or sit at the Stone that corresponds to the month they were born.

Each month I add that month's stone, so building the Circle will take a year. April's Stone will be set during the Eclipse. It will be interesting to later see if that Stone holds a different energy than the other stones.

~~Any of you passing by are welcome to stop. We always have food to share and a place to sleep.

We have out of state friends for the week and a potluck here on the day.
4 minutes total and a good chance of a clear sunny day.

They are setting up portopotties along the highway here and apparently in this tiny town also.
Things have been booked for months including some hayfields...we're not going anywhere. Not even hiking at the river.

There's a mass wedding happening in a town 100 miles south of us...300 couples!

We're about 100 miles away from the path of totality, but the kids have off from school so we're planning on just hanging out at the beach for the eclipse. Air temps will be close to 70 while Lake Michigan water temps are in still in the high 30s. Perfect for building sand castles, but a bit chilly for swimming without a wet suit.

Since Texas is one of the top places to view the eclipse, we have people coming.

I haven't planned any food yet as I never know how many people will show up.

The bank is offering free glasses and will be closed except for the drive-thru.

planning on being out in the Hill Country, you’ll find more remote viewing spots in places like Boerne, Bandera, or Kerrville. For more eclipse-inspired things to do around Texas, try visiting cities like Temple, Waco, Irving, or Tyler that offer all sorts of entertainment, lodging and dining options.

https://www.traveltexas.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/great-texas-eclipse/

I hear a Texclipse Music Festival is planned.

3 days of Texas culture, music, brands, products, food and artists! Come celebrate the Total Solar Eclipse along the banks of the Llano River in Junction, TX

https://gov.texas.gov/music/event/texclipse-music-festival-total-solar-eclipse

We had a fantastic 4 minute view of a total eclipse.  We could even see prominences from solar activity!

Eric

It was very cloudy here but the layers spread out and only one layer of clouds was covering the sun right at peak eclipse.  It was pretty cool to see how light it was out despite 85% of the sun being covered.  No funny shadows but at least I got a pic and saw it :)