Watch the Eclipse

[flyerdan]

For who was asking about Oregon earlier...the National Guard will be used to assist in traffic and to expedite emergency vehicle progress. OR fish and game posted some aerial photos of 15 mile traffic backups outside of Prineville, which is in eastern OR on the road to Bend. Local facebook group reports that Lebanon ran out of auto fuel, and heavy traffic may well delay scheduled deliveries, so the person heading to CVO might want to tanker enough to get to Salem, who should have plenty. Best advice for traveling through, get the Gasbuddy app and Google maps for android, they show traffic delays in orange and red. Probably others do as well, just what I've observed. Also, OSP plans to make up Kate's budget shortfall by ticketing anyone who pulls over on the highway to watch the eclipse. Have a safe trip and don't feed the governor's coffers, and beware the idiots, they're gonna turn pro for this.

 

[dragoneggs]

Making the trek down from Seattle area on Sunday morning to Corvallis. Need to get back to Seattle by Tuesday 9am. People think I am crazy and it isn't going to work. I guess I'm an optimist and don't see the apocalypse that many are predicting. I will make sure I have a full tank of gas, food and water in the car and accept it will be a slow going. As long as the traffic is moving it should work out okay... right?

 

[oosik]

Dragon, I don't really feel you are crazy - just very devoted/dedicated. Please be very careful on the viewing part - there is an article on MSN by an eye doctor. He indicates it takes only a very short time - a few seconds - of unaided viewing to cause possible permanent eye damage. As an example he gives - taking the eclipse glasses away from your eyes before turning your head away from the eclipse. He feels many of the "eclipse glasses" being sold now are not good enough and predicts there will be a significant number of folks with damaged eyesight. DON'T BE ONE OF THOSE..............

 

[dragoneggs]

oosik, thanks for the kind support. I think I mentioned before... I made the trek to Goldendale, WA in 1979 for a total eclipse back in my 'photography' days. At that time I thought that would be my profession. So... I do have an appreciation for how to view. Bought some 'certified' glasses. Not the cheapos. The pin hole camera is cool if you haven't done it but not the way to view for full 'effect'. Still need to find a tie dye tee shirt to relive my youth! Clock is ticking... and oh yeah, my son is getting married tomorrow and we got a lot going on. Wife thinks I'm crazy but she is getting jazzed too.

 

[scdeerslayer]

And it's a good thing that I'm giving the eclipse a miss...

-WARNING- South Carolina Lizard Man!!!

'Remain ever vigilant' of Lizard Man during eclipse, SCEMD says - 3TV | CBS 5

Attention all TBN people in the USA worried about Lizard Man. I have a limited supply of Anti-Lizard Man Mystical Stones. If you hold the stone then Lizard Man cannot harm you, this is 100% guaranteed. They are only US$500 a piece, a true bargain. (Please note that I am not advertising on TBN; it's a service to you and I'm only recouping my own expenses)

I have already sold some of these magical stones to your neighbours living in the path of the eclipse, so if you want to protect yourself and your family please contact me immediately!

My dad used to work with a guy that grew up and still owns land very close to where the whole lizard man legend started. We used to hunt on his land. Apparently it started after a man was trying to run off some teenagers parked on his land. They got scared and tried to high-tail it out of there but wound up tearing the bumper off on a stump. The said whatever came up to the car ripped the bumper off. Don't know if they actually believed the story they told or it was an excuse for why the bumper was missing.


As far as the discussion for welding helmets and the eclipse, I bought an auto-darkening welding helmet not long after the talks about the eclipse began. Out of the box I looked outside and it darkened. Turned the sensitivity down enough and it wouldn't darken with the sun. Turned the sensitivity and shade up and looked at the sun and it seemed dark enough, so from way back then my plan was to use it to see the eclipse. I don't plan on watching it (that seems as exciting as watching paint dry) but I figured I'd look at it several times for a few seconds. I figured if it's dark enough for welding, and that's not near at it's darkest setting, then at the darkest setting it should be more than adequate.

 

[Birdhunter1]

I live in Murphsyboro, IL just 11 miles west of Carbondale, IL which is the supposed epicenter/mecca/longest duration of totality for the eclipse AND the 2024 eclipse comes right back through Carbondale again. My house is approx 1 mile from the centerline, I thought about renting the farm out to campers and not planting crops, I would have made more money at it but when checking with my brother-in-law attorney, insurance, porta potties and the hassle of dealing with people all weekend I figured I coudl make more planting the crop, working overtime at work, and not having the expense or hassle of dealing with people I probably wouldn't want to deal with anyway.
Plus my wife DID NOT LIKE the idea of a bunch of people invading the farm and being 'around.'

That being said traffic in the region has picked up in the last week but hasn't been too bad, I'm excited for the events this weekend and Monday, I think local retailers will do well off of this and it will bring much needed tourism exposure to our area.

Ask me again on Tuesday if I still feel this way.

 

[Raspy]

We just went through Ketchum Idaho a few hours ago on our way out into the forest near Sun Valley. This is very near he centerline for the eclipse. I was expecting chaos. Nope. Nothing out of the ordinary.

We're camped at 6500 ft and it is beautiful. Closest other camper is about a mile away.

 

[cqaigy2]

We just went through Ketchum Idaho a few hours ago on our way out into the forest near Sun Valley. This is very near he centerline for the eclipse. I was expecting chaos. Nope. Nothing out of the ordinary.

We're camped at 6500 ft and it is beautiful. Closest other camper is about a mile away.

That's a perfect place for an eclipse!

 

[Raspy]

Ooops, double post.

 

[Raspy]

That's a perfect place for an eclipse!

Seems like it. Thanks.

Got the reclining chairs, welding helmets with #12 lenses, cracked a couple of beers. Tunes are on, but not loud enough to drown out the sound of a slight breeze in the trees. Late summer aspens are still green with their fluttering leaves. The creek is gurgling. I think there has even been some giggling from our camp! We worked our way up a steep rocky road, in 4WD pulling the trailer, and in about 4 miles from the highway. Totally quiet and clear at 6,500 ft.

Just hangin' out actin' like we're having good time.

There were a lot of automated signs down on the highway telling everyone: "special event", "expect delays" and "no stopping on the highway". Even a temporary traffic signal down at a highway intersection. A number of street venders with "eclipse headquarters", or other signs, in town. Tee shirt and glasses sales.

Meanwhile, no extra traffic or very many people walking around in town. We could have camped anywhere we saw.

I was out in the Pacific during the one in 1970 that centered south of Hawaii. We weren't on center, but it was fun and got surprisingly dark. Here we go again!