2024 eclipse

I'm lucky. I live in northeast Ohio and directly along the path of the eclipse.

Phil

beans!

I'm really tempted to head down and see the sight.

About 4-5 years ago, there was an eclipse and my brother in Colorado traveled to a friend's home in Nebraska to see the eclipse. After the event, he planned to drive home but traffic from everyone heading home a few hundred miles away resulted in gridlock, even in quiet rural areas. He returned to his friend's place, stayed another night, and returned home the following day.

He still said it was so very worth it and that everyone should see a total eclipse once in their life. He also pointed out that even a 98-99% eclipse is nothing like a few minutes of 100% totality.

I've seen many partial solar eclipses in my lifetime but never a total. All have been too far away but this one will be viewable from my home state of PA.

Back in April, when hotels started accepting reservations, I booked rooms in Erie PA, along the center line of totality. Most hotels in the area are sold out now.

I booked two nights to avoid the traffic nightmare that will likely result.

There is less than a 50% chance of clear skies that time of year in Erie but I'm allowed to cancel 72 hours in advance.

It's a 6 hour drive from home but it will likely be my last opportunity to see a total solar eclipse..

I should find my house in the path of totality. Of course actually seeing anything but clouds in Cleveland in April is not exactly likely.

I did see the 2017 from South Carolina on vacation. Saw the sun get smaller and smaller and finally disappear, never to return. The clouds moved in followed by a strong thunderstorm. Never saw a partial or total previously.

After reading about it I was planning to drive to RADAR BASE Texas and watch the Eclipse enter the USA across The Mexican border.
After thinking about it (10 seconds) I realized that it was to close to
major huge Texas cities and the crowd could also be huge So I went to plan B.
I booked on HOLLAND LINES CRUISE a cabin that would take me and about 1400 other guests from San Diego down the Mexican coast stopping at several resorts (so we can lighten our wallets) and MAZATLAN Mexico where the eclipse will enter the North American Continent. I will use two Nikon Cameras , one to film and one to take photographs. Now I can only pray that there are no clouds and the ocean will be still.

Looking forward to the eclipse....just need to decide where the skies will be clear.

The only hope I have of seeing the Eclipse is through photos. Be sure and post your photos if you can. A Youtube would be nice for the videos.
Hope you have a nice cloud free trip.
Mary

So this morning the news came that a hurricane was heading for the southern tip of the Baja peninsula and MAZATLAN so I am praying that it turns into a rain storm and no damage to the area.

I live in Northeast, Ohio, where the eclipse is scheduled to pass directly overhead and just yesterday I got onto Amazon and ordered a set of five dark paper lenses for me, my wife, two daughters, and one son-in-law. Cost me all of $16. We're all set, let the festivities begin.

Phil

In the great lakes area during April, historically, more than half the days are cloudy. I booked rooms just northeast of you in Erie, PA. and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Roger that, but I think it's pretty cool how eclipse mania grips this country a whole year in advance. Go Browns.

Phil

I live in south Texas, but probably 3-4ish hours from the path. Not sure what I'll do.

Thanks for the heads up.

Travel experts say, If you plan to drive to see the eclipse and drive back the same day, it's best to plan your route to avoid major traffic jams. Choose a rural area in the path of totality with good highway access and away from major cities.

If you plan to stay overnight, you have a better chance of finding rooms in larger cities. Plan to stay two nights to avoid the before and after rush.

yes, i need to drive to and stay at my sister's in Buffalo. Oh dear, troublesome but worth it for the experience of a full eclipse I guess. I have my goggle ready. I made them for the last eclipse in western NC. You do not want to have to drive home afterwards. It took me 9 hours for a 4 hour drive. Camp out for the night.

Since the 2024 solar eclipse is now just 2 weeks away, here are a few last minute thoughts:

If you're travelling to an area or city along the line of totality, It's best to go the day before, and leave the day after the eclipse. This may not be possible at this late date however, due to the scarcity of hotel rooms.

If you are staying in a hotel, plan on eating meals there, since finding tables at local restaurants will be difficult or impossible.

Massive traffic jams are a likelihood in some locations, so plan ahead just in case. Carry food & water and fill your gas tank before you arrive. Long lines at local gas stations will be a possibility. Know where rest room facilities are along your route.

Do not rely on being able to call, text, or use smartphone apps that require connectivity. Cell towers will likely be overloaded in eclipse viewing areas and service will be sporadic.

Definitely recommend seeing it. DEFINITELY recommend not leaving the viewing site till the next day. I did that for the last eclipse. more than doubled my trip time. This eclipse I will be staying with my neice in Buffalo.

On April 8, the day of the Total Solar Eclipse, we will be at sea off the coast of Mazatlan in the direct path of the event. We are hoping for clear skies. In the direct path we should get about 4 minutes and 27 seconds of totality. (I'm told the absolute max for anywhere on Earth is 4 minutes and 28 seconds.) We fly to Los Angeles (San Pedro) on the 2nd and board our ship on the 3rd. Hopefully all goes well and the captain can find clear skies for the eclipse viewing.

Thank you