The ride to Totality (Solar Eclipse)

ibike2havefun · Aug 13, 2017

Re: The ride to Totality

Just checked the ten-day forecast for my intended viewing destination. Not Good: 50%+ chance of rain/thunderstorms every day for a week, starting this Tuesday.

Now looking westward to southern Illinois or western Kentucky, which show a much more favorable outlook in the critical time period. Adds maybe 400 miles or so to my trip but so what? That's also where I went to grad school and I haven't been back in 30 years so it's maybe about time...

cornSTalk · Aug 14, 2017

Re: The ride to Totality

ibike2havefun said:
Just checked the ten-day forecast for my intended viewing destination. Not Good: 50%+ chance of rain/thunderstorms every day for a week, starting this Tuesday.

Now looking westward to southern Illinois or western Kentucky, which show a much more favorable outlook in the critical time period. Adds maybe 400 miles or so to my trip but so what? That's also where I went to grad school and I haven't been back in 30 years so it's maybe about time...

Everybody is going to be doing this now. For now I'm keeping my fore mentioned plans. Only one week away.

dduelin · Aug 14, 2017

Hey come on...the more of us that check the forecast means less chance of clear weather!

This image was made by a Sun Trombone I made for the eclipse. It projects a 4" diameter image of the sun on an 8.5 x 11" background.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Sun-Viewer-Observe-the-Sun-safely-with-binoculars/

ibike2havefun · Aug 14, 2017

cornSTalk said:
Everybody is going to be doing this now. For now I'm keeping my fore mentioned plans. Only one week away.

You DID notice I was rather vague on where in IL I am aiming, right? I do have a definite spot in mind but even that is flexible. There are at least three alternates. Hope for a clear afternoon.

Paul st1300 · Aug 14, 2017

Go check out Windytv . I always check out there forecast. They have always been right for me to the very hour of where they predicted the rain was going to happen.

Muchmore · Aug 15, 2017

I will throw an offer out there, I live in Greenwood Mo just 20-30 minutes from total coverage (KC metro area). If anyone would like to spend the night I have a downstairs open with garage parking if you want. We have a sleeper couch or a full blow up mattress so I think we could sleep 3-4 people. I'll make dinner Sunday night and Monday it will be a very short ride to watch where ever you would like. I will be going to work and watching from their parking lot

etalors · Aug 16, 2017

ibike2havefun said:
You DID notice I was rather vague on where in IL I am aiming, right? I do have a definite spot in mind but even that is flexible. There are at least three alternates. Hope for a clear afternoon.

I will be in the Lick creek area. Just off of I-57. BTW does anyone have eclipse glasses to spare. I cant seem to get one.

st1300r · Aug 16, 2017

etalors said:
I will be in the Lick creek area. Just off of I-57. BTW does anyone have eclipse glasses to spare. I cant seem to get one.

welding glass/goggles #12, or 13 if you can get them, should work. 12 might be a little bright. You can look at totality but make sure you have the goggles on at any point on either side. You won't feel the damage.

STumped · Aug 16, 2017

Muchmore said:
I will throw an offer out there, I live in Greenwood Mo just 20-30 minutes from total coverage (KC metro area). If anyone would like to spend the night I have a downstairs open with garage parking if you want. We have a sleeper couch or a full blow up mattress so I think we could sleep 3-4 people. I'll make dinner Sunday night and Monday it will be a very short ride to watch where ever you would like. I will be going to work and watching from their parking lot

Danny, that's very gracious of you! I plan to camp out in southern Illinois but I'm keeping an eye on the weather. If it looks like it'll be cloudy in Illinois but clear in Missouri then I might take you up on your offer. If I did, it'd probably be easier on everyone if I could pitch a tent in the back yard.

Muchmore · Aug 16, 2017

STumped said:
Danny, that's very gracious of you! I plan to camp out in southern Illinois but I'm keeping an eye on the weather. If it looks like it'll be cloudy in Illinois but clear in Missouri then I might take you up on your offer. If I did, it'd probably be easier on everyone if I could pitch a tent in the back yard.

Shoot, it's up to you but as long as you like 2 small dogs that may hump you in your sleep you're more than welcome to stay inside! Hey Spotz...did I mention the dogs yet

See you Sunday night if you guys want and yes, I will be cooking something Sunday night!

ibike2havefun · Aug 16, 2017

etalors said:
I will be in the Lick creek area. Just off of I-57.

Doing your viewing at places I knew well when I was in grad school in Carbondale, 3 decades ago. I checked the SIU eclipse-related website and I am GLAD i have elected not to head back to campus for this event. Looks like it'll be a madhouse.

Good viewing to you.

Al st1100 · Aug 21, 2017

every where is crowded. I found a road that goes thru the zone about 40 miles long. My special glasses fit in my helmet, I am going to ride and watch. Something different!!!

dduelin · Aug 21, 2017

All set in Blairsville GA. This is a great venue in the Smoky Mountains. Vinny found Shuey, Connie, and me a city park with facilities, food vendors, clear sky view. And pie.

STrangr · Aug 21, 2017

Nice, enjoy the eclipse guys. Some of us are stuck here in Florida wishing we were there.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

spiderman302 · Aug 21, 2017

All we got to see here in So Cal. At 63 %.

here is the view with out the moon and you can see 4 sun spots....

FieSTa45 · Aug 21, 2017

There is no place like home. Well kinds of. St Cloud MN should be 85% but the rains have closed for the entire time frame of the event!
Just sitting in the house watching the rain fall :cry:

DeanR · Aug 21, 2017

Al st1100 said:
My special glasses fit in my helmet, I am going to ride and watch.

So how did that work out for ya?

STrangr · Aug 21, 2017

We had clear skies and around 80% eclipse here in south Florida

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Booger Man · Aug 21, 2017

Nothing beats the total eclipse. Not even 90%. This was my first one.....so cool. Heavenly

paulcb · Aug 21, 2017

A colleague at work who's an amateur photographer took some pics of the eclipse today from outside our office in Plano, TX (far north Dallas).

This was taken at max eclipse (~77%), about 1:09 pm CST for us. Didn't get noticeably darker but it was sure was a lot cooler for a while.

Looking forward to 100% eclipse here in Dallas in 2024.

The ride to Totality (Solar Eclipse)

ibike2havefun

Still above the sod

cornSTalk

dduelin

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Attachments

ibike2havefun

Still above the sod

Paul st1300

Muchmore

Train killer

etalors

st1300r

STumped

Because I usually am . . . .

Muchmore

Train killer

ibike2havefun

Still above the sod

Al st1100

dduelin

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

STrangr

Mike O.

spiderman302

FieSTa45

DeanR

STrangr

Mike O.

Booger Man

paulcb

- - - Tetelestai - - - R.I.P. - 2022/05/26