2017 Total Solar Eclipse...

/pine · Jul 28, 2017

I'm curious how many members are in the direct path of the coming eclipse : http://www.astroadventures.net/2017/USA/images/USA-Eclipse-Track.jpg and the reactions they are seeing from their communities...

Around here (direct path in N.E. GA) a little bit of anxiety is growing over the attraction...nobody knows exactly how big the crowds are going to be...Anyone with a large lot has been selling "parking" tickets for several months...all the local businesses are gearing up for all the extra traffic...I have not seen anything like it and local authorities are saying the crowds/traffic will be a one of a kind happening and even they don't know what all to expect...

For locals it means stocking up on basic grocery items, fuel etc. in advance of the date...at this point I'm not sure what is going to be more interesting to observe...the actual eclipse...or the ordeal...!

smstonypoint · Jul 28, 2017

My home in Seneca, SC is in the direct path. I'm willing to rent it out for $1,000/night, 10 night minimum. Any takers?

Steve

ThirdMan · Jul 28, 2017

I am in the path and ordered solar eclipse glasses a few months ago. I am not in a rural area and have not heard much about any preparations around here. The NPR show Marketplace on July 24, 2017 did a segment at the end of the show about farmers in Oregon selling camping spots to tourists. Also watch out about fake eclipse glasses from China and get the real thing instead Safety | Total Solar Eclipse 217.

/pine · Jul 28, 2017

yes, going to be lots of opportunities to take advantage of folks...

Clemson University is giving away 50K pairs of glasses...

Eclipse | Clemson University, South Carolina

Eclipse 217 > City of Seneca

mjarrels · Jul 28, 2017

Welcome to the Gulf war. It was like a solar eclipse every day with all the oil wells burning.

mark

JRobyn · Jul 28, 2017

Lots of local parties/events at Tennessee Tech, local winery, state parks, etc.. We are just barely off the maximum duration path.

Local officials ARE concerned that they have absolutely NO idea what sort of influx of folks there might be.

dodge man · Jul 29, 2017

My daughter goes to SIU in Carbondale, which is in the direct path. They won't have classes that day and have all sorts of plans. The hotels are all full up. I'm not sure when the next total eclipse is but Carbondale is in its path also.

Deere Dude · Jul 29, 2017

I will miss this eclipse but will catch the next one

I live a close driving distance to direct line but will be going on a 100 mile camping trip that morning away from the line. Dang it!

17 Oaks · Jul 29, 2017

WOW, selling tickets to an event that the BEST seat in the house is 3500 miles long or are there people that are so dumb as to beleive its only being shown in one town?????

PT Barum was right...sucker born every minute.

Hey StonyPoint, I got so excited when I saw the opportunity to rent your house for only a $1000 per night to see that eclipse, but that same 10 days is when I wash my hair so guess I will have to pass but put me on your mailing list for the next one...thanks.

k0ua · Jul 29, 2017

I am not in the path of totality, but I intend to operate my amateur radio equipment during the event. Many scientific organizations have asked Amateurs to operate on various frequencies, before the event and report signals levels to establish a baseline and then during the event to see what changes occur to signal levels and qualities. There is a place to send our logs and observations in. It is expected of course to have some dramatic effects on D layer absorption during the event and immediately after. It is not know what other effects it may have.

Ortimber · Jul 29, 2017

I'm in Oregon but just a bit south to get the full eclipse (98.7%).

We are supposed to have about 1 million visitors in the state in the coming weeks. That's a 25% increase to our population. Officials are starting to worry because there aren't enough resources to handle the surge of people. The traffic problem is also a concern, once the "event" is over, everyone is going to scramble to get home. My ranch is about 10 miles off of interstate 5 and while I know that will be busy I don't anticipate many people will wander out our way. Hopefully this is just a bunch of media hype and this whole thing goes by smoothly...

sidecarist · Jul 29, 2017

We are just off the maximum totality. We planed a family reunion. Will have 25-30 people here for 3 days of camping. Hotels are sold out and some have been for over a year.

Local PD isn't too concerned but we are 40min from an interstate. Close to the highways they are worried about idiots stopping on the shoulder etc.

17 Oaks · Jul 29, 2017

Ortimber said:
I'm in Oregon but just a bit south to get the full eclipse (98.7%).

We are supposed to have about 1 million visitors in the state in the coming weeks. That's a 25% increase to our population. Officials are starting to worry because there aren't enough resources to handle the surge of people. The traffic problem is also a concern, once the "event" is over, everyone is going to scramble to get home. My ranch is about 10 miles off of interstate 5 and while I know that will be busy I don't anticipate many people will wander out our way. Hopefully this is just a bunch of media hype and this whole thing goes by smoothly...

Not sure how many full and partial eclipse I have seen in my life, but they were al pretty much the same, or like Yogi said: 'its like deja vu all over again'.

If you are that close to I 5 then you have opportunity knocking HARD on your door. Rocks that were exposed to the full Eclipse, ONLY $9.95. Its EXTREMELY rare that a rock gets to be exposed to an eclipse, after all they cannot move fast enough to get there.

As a bonus, how about: Water exposed to a full eclipse clears acne, cures athletes foot, aids in digestion and makes you look 10 years younger. $9.95 a pint.

Brother you are gonna get RICH off that California crowd so put a sign and if ONLY 1% of the people stop and if they will buy the rock, you can bet they will buy the water...1% =10,000 x $20 bucks each, do the math...$$$$$

Citydude · Jul 29, 2017

smstonypoint said:
My home in Seneca, SC is in the direct path. I'm willing to rent it out for $1,000/night, 10 night minimum. Any takers?

Steve

My mother in law is planning a trip up to our home for the eclipse and vacation. Send me your address. I'll spend more than 10k for therapy after she leaves....

smstonypoint · Jul 29, 2017

Citydude said:
My mother in law is planning a trip up to our home for the eclipse and vacation. Send me your address. I'll spend more than 10k for therapy after she leaves....

That was a limited time offer. Now that I have gauged demand, the price is $2,000/night, 10 night minimum, and a $15,000 non-refundable advance deposit is required.

Steve

Mousefield · Jul 29, 2017

Ortimber said:
I'm in Oregon but just a bit south to get the full eclipse (98.7%).

We are supposed to have about 1 million visitors in the state in the coming weeks. That's a 25% increase to our population. Officials are starting to worry because there aren't enough resources to handle the surge of people. The traffic problem is also a concern, once the "event" is over, everyone is going to scramble to get home. My ranch is about 10 miles off of interstate 5 and while I know that will be busy I don't anticipate many people will wander out our way. Hopefully this is just a bunch of media hype and this whole thing goes by smoothly...

Our neighbour up here is Canada is heading down to Oregon to see the eclipse, booked his accommodation some time ago.

17 Oaks · Jul 29, 2017

smstonypoint said:
That was a limited time offer. Now that I have gauged demand, the price is $2,000/night, 10 night minimum, and a $15,000 non-refundable advance deposit is required.

Steve

I knew it, bargain at twice the price...

Citydude · Jul 29, 2017

smstonypoint said:
That was a limited time offer. Now that I have gauged demand, the price is $2,000/night, 10 night minimum, and a $15,000 non-refundable advance deposit is required.

Steve

You've forced me into plan B. If I can think of a plan B.....

Birdhunter1 · Jul 29, 2017

dodge man said:
My daughter goes to SIU in Carbondale, which is in the direct path. They won't have classes that day and have all sorts of plans. The hotels are all full up. I'm not sure when the next total eclipse is but Carbondale is in its path also.

I work at SIU and yes there is alot of planning going into this. I live about 11 miles west of Carbondale and if I have to come in that day or that weekend I am planning to drive to a friends house on the west side of Carbondale and bike the rest of the way in. My house is almost directly in the centerline of this things path.
The next eclipse you are talking about is in 2024. If your daughter is moving in to an apartment in town somewhere I would advise doing it early in the prior week, like maybe the Tuesday before the Eclipse, as traffic will probably be rather jammed up. From reports I've seen the nearest place to stay to Carbondale that isn't already reserved is in Effingham, IL.

smstonypoint · Jul 29, 2017

Citydude said:
You've forced me into plan B. If I can think of a plan B.....

We might be able to work something out.

First, is your MIL either a widow or a divorcee?

If a widow, did her husband die under mysterious circumstances?

Her age? (I am a 70 year-old widower.)

Her net worth, rounded down to the nearest million $?

Does she own a bulldozer or track hoe?

If so, post photos of same and any other equipment she owns.

Steve