Back in 2017 we were close to the total eclipse path. We drove over to watch the disappearing sun as the moon slid across it. The area got dark, mostly. We saw some shadows.
This year the magazines, the news, everything seemed to be talking about the eclipse. And we were again close to the path of totality.
To Go or Not To Go
The 2017 eclipse was interesting, but not really awesome. We saw many of the things the media listed. We spent a day driving and standing around.
This time the area of near totality went right over us, some 99% +. Wouldn’t this be good enough? We could stay home, get things done and see the eclipse too.
A friend was thinking along the same lines. Somehow, as we talked about it, we decided to drive down into the path of totality. After all, the area of a minute and a half was a mere 30 miles away.
Watching the Disappearing Sun
Bunker was close, but Ellington with over two minutes was only another half hour’s drive away. We headed south expecting huge crowds.
Wherever the crowds were, they weren’t in Ellington. Still, we headed out to a nearby Conservation Area where we were the only people around.
The edge of the sun was just disappearing as the truck pulled into a parking area. We piled out, put out some chairs and watched.
Totality
I’m used to being out around sunset. The gathering darkness wasn’t like that at all. Instead it had that eerie look as when a big storm is coming, when the air darkens and clears, the shadows darken.
The moon continued to slip across the sun. The disappearing sun had an orange tint.
Then it got dark, really dark. A couple of stars came out. There was a bright spot at the bottom of the hidden sun we later found out was a solar flare. A pastel reddish orange glow ran around the horizon.
Afterwards
When a smidgeon of the sun peeked out, the world started lighting up. The trees cast these strange rippled shadows.
By the time the sun was half clear, day had reappeared. We packed up and headed home.
At Home
The goats and chickens were out all day. They didn’t seem at all upset about the eclipse.
Now we have these sun gazing glasses left over. Although these were for viewing the eclipse, they can be used to look at the sun. Maybe I will hold on to them for a time.
