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Experiencing a total solar eclipse. A sight like nothing else.
The weather cools, the wind shifts, and the sun dims - almost like a storm is coming. Animals get anxious, and shadows begin to change in unusual ways. And then totality arrives. The sky is dark enough to see stars, with a blazing corona around the sun. In every direction, the horizon is a sunset. Truly, one of creation's greatest wonders (only very specific configuration of the moon's orbit allows a dramatic eclipse).
The path of totality on April 8, 2024 passes over Texas with a long duration. We could find a near Dallas to watch the eclipse - mind you, there's no reason we can't travel to the path of totality, and we will likely need to be mobile in case of the cloud cover moving in. However, we need to be fairly close as the roads will likely be packed.
Unlike normal meetups, this is not on a weekend, as I cannae change the laws of physics, Captain. I'm anticipating travel to the area on Friday, then events on Saturday and Sunday - Sunday evening is the final planning session for the eclipse with weather reports and such. Monday the 8th is all about the eclipse, as there is a fair amount of interest in the partial eclipse. I would strongly recommend waiting until Tuesday to head out, as the roads will be jammed.
Speaking of jams, hotels in the path are booking rapidly. I would be open to renting a house or other options. We need to make a decision quickly. (I'm thinking absolutely no later than the end of September - preferably sooner.) Please respond if you are interested, and any advice on finding a place to stay is welcome. I have a ton of friends interested in attending, and I will be watching hell or high water.
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eclipseglasses.com
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If we got enough interest, we could even get Ricochet brand Eclipse glasses.
I'm hoping @iWe comes dressed as a priest of Sol Invictus / the Unconquered Sun. We can have @SaintAugustine denounce him, just like old times.
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I'll probably be in San Antonio with one of my sons. The other lives northwest of Dallas, but I figure more chance San Antonio will have clear skies.
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I laughed, long and hard. Thank you!
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We've reserved a place near Fredericksburg/New Braunfels. Not sure exactly where or how many bedrooms, but when we looked into it a couple of months ago, the prices were already getting ridiculous (over $1k per night for a room!). We managed to get a relatively good deal when we made the reservation a month or two ago. If you're even thinking about going, I suggest reserving a place today. Or considering camping.
If we have extra room we'll offer it to a Ricochetti in need, but I think some of Little Miss Anthrope's Texas friends will be joining us from more distant parts of Texas.
Would love to meetup with some of y'all!
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We saw the eclipse in 20178, and I'm planning on traveling to see it next April. Texas is definitely on my radar based on the fact that historical weather trends indicate it's the most likely to have clear skies.
We were on vacation in Wyoming in 2017, stayed the night before in Gillet, about 140 miles north of the totality zone. Drove down early the next day, had no problem finding a place to park once we hit the city we were looking for (Orin,WY along I-25). Getting out afterwards was a bit more problematic...
Also, if you can't get in to the path of totality, you're really missing out. The difference between a total eclipse and a partial eclipse [even in the high 90% range] is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. There's a reason people spend thousands of dollars and travel between contents to see them.
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