Argggggh! Guess where one of the best places to see the eclipse is ...

[marble falls]

I was in Sedona for the Harmonic Convergence/Grand Alignment in August 87. People get nuts in a crowd.

A local rancher has supposedly applied for permitting up to 30,000 to camp on his land. It will not be pretty here. Pray for us! We're 50 miles west of Austin. All our local motels are booked for the week of the eclipse.

[liberal N proud]

1. It's on my wife's birthday

She said for years that she was going to travel to somewhere to be on the line.
It happens to be where we lived for 16 years in Ohio. She didn’t think to plan a place to stay until 2 weeks ago. No hotel rooms for more than 50 miles either direction.
She begged an old friend for a place to stay.

[doc03]

2. I can drive north about an hour to see the total eclipse

but there is only a 30% chance of a clear day in Ohio on April 8th.

[marble falls]

26. I'm from Akron, we have fewer days of sunlight than Seattle in a year.

[we can do it]

58. Also from Akron, will be staying with friends for eclipse🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[marble falls]

68. In town? I lived on West Hill.

[FakeNoose]

34. I hear ya! We deal with that all the time in the Pittsburgh area

The southwestern corner of Pennsylvania won't get the full eclipse, only partial. But with our cloudy skies (especially in the spring months) it won't matter anyway.

[doc03]

47. I hear they already jacked up hotel prices in the Akron/Cleveland area. If the weather

cooperates I will drive up to Millersburg in Amish country and ride the bike trail that day.

[Alliepoo]

39. Maybe Jym Ganahl or Ben Gelber

Can have a word with Ma Nature!🤞🏼🤞🏼

[Liberal In Texas]

3. Going right over my house.

I fear the streets and freeways are going to be clogged with out of towners. My kids are coming I told them to book hotels over 6 months ago. (No room in our small house) Also, I've heard there are no rental cars to be found.

[marble falls]

17. Ain't gonna be pretty.

[SYFROYH]

4. Get your solar eclipse viewers now while cheap and plentiful

And buy some more to give to people who didn't know and will hurt their eyes when they look at the sun. It will be your good deed.

[scipan]

20. Be sure to get ISO certified or at least compliant

These are and they're cheap: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08GB3QC1H/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A3QVDEV4FVUZNT&psc=1

I like these Celestron paper binoculars:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MTFQJAT/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

[Sympthsical]

5. It's going to be in the middle of my mom's funeral

She died a week and a half ago, but she wanted to be cremated, so there hasn't been a rush to schedule the funeral. It became a matter of sorting out various calendars. My brother and his family are scheduled to visit an ailing in-law out of country this month, I'm across country and don't have spring break until that week in April, another relative is getting heart surgery, then we had to schedule this one specific priest, etc. etc.

So long story short, once everything synced up, it landed on April 8th. 1pm graveside service (military stuff) in the middle of Illinois.

Which is kind of interesting. I'm an astronomy geek, so it's all wonderfully ominous. We did not at all intentionally plan this timing, but I kind of love it. I told my brother, "This is how zombie apocalypses start. Should we bolt everything up just to be sure?"

This is easily going to be top five surreal experiences of my life. I haven't mentioned it to other family. I want it to be a surprise. The looks on their faces . . .

[Hekate]

16. It will be marvelously memorable, that's for sure. Condolences on the loss of your mom.

[Alliepoo]

40. I'm sorry about your mom.

It’s pretty neat though how her service is going to be held on such a memorable day. I’ll be thinking of you guys on that day.

[consider_this]

6. Travis county has issued a disaster declaration in advance

expecting 1 million people coming in

https://www.kxan.com/weather/eclipse/travis-county-issues-disaster-declaration-ahead-of-total-solar-eclipse/

[ProfessorGAC]

7. I Was Thinking About...

...throwing puppy in the car & heading south on I-57 to get down to Illitucky to view it.
Then another DUer told me hotel's are filling up fast at 3x the normal price.
As I saw a total eclipse in China, I'm bagging it.

[marble falls]

21. We've decided to "shelter in place" for four or five days.

[ProfessorGAC]

27. I Can See That

Might be a zoo for this.
We won't have totality here, but from a couple hundred miles away, it will be close enough that I'm staying home.

[wiggs]

8. Didn't intend to be part of a big problem, but we are taking our kids to Austin to

experience the eclipse, bats, and BBQ. Booked 6 months ago but worried about car availability and airbnb cancellations.

Still...looking forward. Went to Oregon in 2017 for a fantastic, peak experience not crowded where we were.

Good luck! Friend from Austin is stocking up on food and gas.

[Niagara]

9. I live in Buffalo, N.Y.

Yesterday, Mayor Brown has stated that he expects at least 1 million visitors to our area.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/buffalo-mayor-expect-heavy-traffic-congestion-and-possibly-gridlock-on-day-of-total-solar-eclipse/ar-BB1jznRw


I already hate driving on any given day in Buffalo as it is. It seems like these morons received their driver's licenses out of damn cracker jack box. It's most likely going to be much worse with at least 1 million of out of town and out of state visitors.



It sounds like it's going to be jacked up. I'm requesting the day off from work because I don't have the patience to deal with this fuckery at all.

[unweird]

29. Count us in

We’ve got rezzies downtown for a long weekend and will be part of that million visitor invasion. Thousand dollars for 3 night stay at the Hyatt. Tried to book Niagara Falls but it was a thousand per night. Woof!

[Niagara]

43. Please stay safe, Unweird ... especially if you're driving in Buffalo.

No one does the speed limit unless a police vehicle has been spotted, they cut off other drivers off performing lane changes, someone else's right-a-away means nothing and there's regular and frequently unsafe tailgating.

[unweird]

48. Thanks for the heads up

Our retirement is looming and the Buffalo eclipse trip will be our first road trip with the dogs. We got an Outback wagon last fall so we could carry the pack along on our future furry roadtrips.

[Niagara]

51. You're entirely welcome.

Congratulations with your looming retirement!


Please give your dogs a few affectionate cuddles from me.

[True Dough]

33. Hey, fellow road rager!

[Niagara]

44. Oh my True Dough!

You always make me laugh my friend!

[True Dough]

54. But I wouldn't have you laughing

if I was in front of you driving at 30 mph with my left blinker on!

[Niagara]

59. You're probably right about that.

It would depend on what the posted speed limit was.

[True Dough]

60. Posted 50

and I'm TEXTING at the same time!!!!

[Niagara]

66. 💩💩💩💩🥴😱😡

You are a Troublemaker, True.


That's with a capital T!

[FakeNoose]

37. Upstate New York would be my first choice

There will be lots of great, uncrowded places to see the eclipse in upstate NY!

[Niagara]

45. That sounds like a well thought out plan, FakeNoose.

Will you be heading towards Upstate for this event?

[FakeNoose]

65. Wish I could, but it's not great timing for me

I'll be driving back home from my niece's wedding in Baltimore on that Sunday. (It's actually Palm Sunday.) I wouldn't be able to drive another 7 or 8 hours to upstate NY on the same day. That's a little too much for me.

I'm sure there will be a lot of nice photos of the eclipse posted on DU though.

[Niagara]

67. At least you'll have a nice drive and a beautiful wedding to attend.

I completely understand about too much driving, I also get fatigued easily with too much driving.



Safe travels and enjoy yourself!

[Karadeniz]

10. Looks like were about on the line in mason, tx!!!

[marble falls]

22. I bet you get hit, too. See you at Apple Fest!

[northoftheborder]

61. Hi, Mason

[mitch96]

11. I saw the last one in South Carolina and it's pretty amazing..If you can catch it, do it...

I have a friend in Portland and I'm trying to convince him to view.. Last time in our lifetime...
Next would be the northern lights...
Whale watching?
m

[Stinky The Clown]

12. My son is on the line in Vermont. He told me state authorities are predicting . . . .

. . . . . the single biggest visitor event in state history. Lots of Canadian visitors, too.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

13. Don't worry about it. 8 mins after Luna devours Sol, the Earth will freeze solid.

[berniesandersmittens]

14. Im right in the line

It's gonna be chaos around here.

[Emile]

15. Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be open for people

to watch it from the stands.

https://www.visitindy.com/events/eclipse/#:~:text=Join%20the%20Indianapolis%20Motor%20Speedway,%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Greatest%20Spectacles.%E2%80%9D

[electric_blue68]

18. I'll watch it on line. Thought about going but I'd have to borrow the money that's not easy to pay back...

Trains might be all booked already for a 5 1/2 hr trip from NYC to Syracuse. So if the weather was forecast for a clear day I probably couldn't just jump on a train. I wouldn't have wanted to take a chance wearher wise that early in the Spring in Upstate NY by booking a train in advance.

I will be living vicariously through a long time friend near Dallas. She's excited! 👍

Oh, well, I just realized DUHH that early in April it'll be too early to have the pinhole effect from leafy trees since it's too early. (that is such a cool thing). Ah, well, cardboard w pinhole, and white cardstock to display image.

[marble falls]

23. Eeeeverybody in Marble Falls is selling glasses.

[Diamond_Dog]

56. None to be found around here ...

I’m in direct line of it.

[marble falls]

69. Clevelanders don't need no stinking eye protection!

[llmart]

19. I was unaware of the date.

I live in the thumb of Michigan. I haven't heard too many people talking about this yet. Knowing us, it'll probably be cloudy.

[marble falls]

24. I'm praying for a week of rain.

[John Shaft]

25. Turn around

bright eyes

[usedtobedemgurl]

28. Nothing I can say a total eclipse.....

[Alliepoo]

41. Of the heart...

This was one of my beautiful Becky’s favorite songs.

[Casandia]

30. I'll be driving to Toledo

- just south of the city. It’s roughly 2 hours away from me.

HINT - if you plan to travel somewhere to see the eclipse, the best areas to park your car and watch is a cemetery.

[marble falls]

36. Being from Cleveland/Akron never thought of anyone ever saying "I'll be driving to Toledo" ...

... though driving at least once a summer to Sandusky was common enough.

[Alliepoo]

42. Ooooooo-

Good idee!!!

[catbyte]

31. I think I'll stay home and keep track of it online. It'll be 96% where I live.

It'll probably be cloudy anyway. April in Michigan is always a crapshoot.

[CincyDem]

32. Center line 30-40 minutes drive to the west for us on a normal day...so it'll be about 2 hours on 4/8.

Drove down to KY/TN line for the 2017 version of this show (very cool). Took me about 3.5 hours to get there. Took me 11-12 to get back home. What a zoo...but worth it.

[True Dough]

35. For everyone unable to get a prime view of the big event

I offer you:

&ab_channel=bonnietylerVEVO

[Alliepoo]

38. We will get a partial view here in the Cbus area.

Most of the schools around here are letting the kids have the day off to view the eclipse because it’s a once in a lifetime event. I ordered a 10-pack of glasses that also included a filter to take pics . I thought I’d load up the grands and hit the road north and just stop somewhere closer to a total view. Hopefully Mother Nature will smile on this cloudy state and give us a clear day.

[Backseat Driver]

46. We thought this would be the perfect place to view...Almost 4 whole minutes of darkness...

what time should we leave downtown Colombus, LOL!We do just walk out the patio door to get the best of the local July 4 Red, White & Blew? It's actually on the right date this year and we're holding the bets for the exact moment of best darkness for viewing the first blast and/or the finale. Did everyone remember to Spring Ahead - ah, nevermnd, it's always like this on special days -

https://www.armstrongmuseum.org/great-north-american-solar-eclipse


Gads, did I miss Earl G's declaration of SNL Satire SUNDAY on DU? Every post on the front page seems to be just a smidgen "off" and seriously crazy this morning, LOL!

[Emile]

49. I got a set of dark glasses for my cataract surgery

and wonder if it would be safe to use them to watch the eclipse. Surgery is this coming Tuesday, so I will ask my eye doctor.

[getagrip_already]

50. Is there a site that shows the percent total where you live?

I'm in mass which is close, but not on the line. Yes, I could rive, but traffic isn't my friend.

80% would be fine. But how to know?

Answered my own question: http://xjubier.free.fr/en/site_pages/solar_eclipses/TSE_2024_GoogleMapFull.html?Lat=42.15702&Lng=-72.06173&Elv=211.0&Zoom=6&LC=1

Tap a location and it will tell you. I'm at 93% obfuscation. Good enough.

[Nittersing]

52. Take a look here

https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/

[karynnj]

53. We will see it in our town, Burlington, Vt

The local news speaks of the Champlain Islands being great.

[Happy Hoosier]

55. It's going right over my house.

Just gonna hang out in the back yard and hope it’s clear. Good chance of cloudy skies that time of year.

[LiberalFighter]

57. Power outage? Cattle stampede? Thunderstorms?

[TBF]

62. We visited a resort by Lake LBJ a couple of summers ago

and were able to visit Marble Falls! We live in the suburbs of Houston but are not native Texans, so anytime we venture out it is new to us. We had a great time, the lake was amazing, and Marble Falls was charming (and good restaurants!). Sorry you guys will be really crowded, I know everyone is looking for Airbnb's in your area.

[TexasBushwhacker]

63. I'll just watch a stream on the NASA YouTube channel

I'd love to watch it live, but I don't do crowds anymore. Too old for that shit.

[jpak]

64. My back yard is in the 100% Totality Zone

I ain't drivin' nowheres...

Nope