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Published: August 22nd 2017
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Blog 08-21-17 Solar Eclipse
Ginnie and I made it to Lincoln Sunday afternoon after a really tiring drive. There was traffic then the last hour was grueling with a strong side wind. It is a struggle to keep the camper on the road and between the lines so by the time we got to the campground, we set up and callapsed.
Dave and Lisa (my son and daughter-in-law) were in Lincoln for the eclipse and they came to the campground and brought us dinner. We had a great meal and visiting time then it was get down to planning how we were going to be able to best see the eclipse. The weather forcast was iffy for mid-day so we had to plot out a possible road trip. We agreed to meet at 7:45am on Monday morning and keep an eye on the radar and clouds as we drove west, that being our best chance for clear skies.
It looked like about a 2 1/2 hr ride west so Ginnie opted to stay in Lincoln with the dogs while I went with Dave and Lisa to parts unknown. We did drive 2 1/2 hrs west ending up in
a county park north west of Grand Island, NE. It was a beautiful park with 2 lakes and lots of trees but plenty of clear skies to see the sun. Dave and Lisa's friends from ND were in Omaha for the eclipse so they joined us and we had a party of our own. We got set up with tripods and chairs, blankets and solar glasses and proceded to watch the show. The moon kept taking a bigger and bigger bite out of the sun until it was a golden sliver. Then suddenly, as quick as a blink, the sun was a brilliant shining white orb almost pulsating with white streaks emmiting from the edges. There is nothing I have seen before that can compare with the sight of it. Pictures don't come close to it's brilliance.
I shook, had goose bumps and even cried a little at the sight. Around us there was an erie darkness but on the far horizon it was light. The cecadas began to sing as did the night crickets but I didn't notice if the birds were singing or not I was too busy saying "Oh my God". There was not total darkness
but like the sky looks when there is a REALLY dark cloud covering the sky. The color was weird too, I noticed almost a purple tint to things around me. When totalality struck there was a sudden spontanious cheer from eveyone in the park, totally unexpected but totally perfect.
Totality lasted for 2 1/2 minutes but felt like a second. Then the moon moved away and there was the sudden flash of light, the diamond effect, then time for our solar glasses again. Another cheer from the crowd!
What a sight! The adrenalin was pumping and lasted another 15 min or so for me. We were all so excited. Dave and Lisa's friends broke out lunch for everyone but I was still too excited to eat. We watched the moon move over the sun on it's way out of the sun's path. Not as exciting as the anticapation of totality but still a sight to behold.
When we finally left the park it took us 3 1/2 hrs to come home because of traffic. It seemed that a lot of other people had the same idea to look at the radar and find a clear sky.
Ginnie was waiting for us to hear the tale of our adventure. She had one of her own with the dogs and clouds. She was able to see the moon moving across the sun but then a cloud bank settled in over Lincoln. The next sight was the moon moving away from the sun so the clouds blocked totality completly for her. But she said there were cannons firing so that set off the dogs into a barking spree.
I will be forever grateful to Ginnie for staying with the dogs so I could go and enjoy the eclipse with my family and not have to worry about leaving my dog for 8 hours.
We sat and told the tales then went to a wonderful Italian restaurnt in downtown Lincoln for dinner. It was a great meal and perfect company.
Back at the camper we let the dogs out then crashed for the night. What a day!!!!
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Beth
non-member comment
So cool!
Thanks for sharing your story and amazing photos the eclipse! So cool!