How does the moon cut the sun’s hair? Eclipse it.
SOLAR ECLIPSE ON AUGUST 21, 2017. Not since 1979 and not again until 2024 will there be a solar eclipse like this one. What a big deal! I don’t know where you were during the eclipse, but in this part of the country seeing it was supposed to be a real “happening.” We’re staying at Wappapelo Lake in Missouri, close to the “path of totality” in a coveted spot to watch the moon pass between the sun and the Earth, according to the local astronomy folks. People from far and wide traveled great distances to get a glimpse of this rare phenomenon. For example, a farmer in a small town in Oregon rented spaces in one of his fields to ten thousand out-of-town folks who camped overnight to witness the eclipse! Everywhere we’ve been for the last month, folks have been talking about it. Safety glasses were given out in libraries and visitors’ centers and folks were definitely “on the road” for this event. For this eclipse, the longest period when the moon completely blocked the sun from any given location along the path was only about two minutes and 40 seconds. The last time the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse like this was in 1979. Here are the stats for Lake Wappapello, where we watched the eclipse.
At Lake Wappapello, Missouri: 98.76% coverage.
One of the rangers at the park where we’re staying gave us protective glasses and told us some interesting facts about the eclipse.
Trying out my protective eye wear before going outside into the sun.
We’re set to go! The anticipation builds…
“THE SHOW” HERE AT LAKE WAPPAPELO. For this eclipse the Moon’s shadow crossed the continental United States creating a coast-to-coast total solar eclipse visible to millions. This was a celestial event that people will be talking about for years to come. The “almost total” eclipse we experienced wasn’t nearly this dramatic. I was surprised, because we had 98.76% blockage and it didn’t even get dark outside as I’d expected. Frankly, the entire event was pretty anti-climactic here. Oh well, we can say “we were there.”
Nope, I didn’t take this photo. I wish I’d been somewhere that had this good a view. I thought with such a high percentage of coverage we’d have an event almost like this, but we didn’t come even close. Oh well, it was fun getting caught up in the frenzy
WHERE WERE YOU? Where were you for the eclipse? We’re you in the path of totality? Was your experience better than ours? Let us know by posting a comment. And as always…
I’ll continue my story next time.
We were right in the “best” areas up in OR to see it and the temp dropped about 10 degrees and it darkened a little but it sure wasn’t what all the hype said it would be. Fly fishing was better so maybe it confused the fish and all the drivers. With all the cars going down the 97 after the eclipse I felt like I was back in Newport on Labor Day. Oh well. Guess I’ll have to wait til the next one. Enjoy your travels and always enjoy your blog.
Allen: I know, I was sort of disappointed in the eclipse “show.” But I was interested to hear that fly fishing was good: That’s something I’ve always wanted to learn, and when we get to Oregon that’s just what I’m finally going to do. And I can sure relate to Labor Day in Newport. We lived on Balboa Island and it was absolutely impossible to even get around town that weekend. Never again. Good to hear from you. Thanks for following my blog.