Eclipse from Oregon

Kathy Roberts and I just had an amazing adventure this past week. We left Friday morning to go to Ashland to stay and see a couple of plays. Beyond that, we had no idea where we were going to view the eclipse. The closest reservation I could get was Eugene, Oregon. But, it was a hour drive to the zone of totality.

In Ashland, we had dinner with my brother Bill Roberts and his wife Elizabeth Wies Roberts. They had come up to Ashland couple of days for before and saw a couple of plays. They were going to leave the next morning for Albany, Oregon, which is in the middle of the zone. He was a lot smarter than me and made reservations years ago.

The next day, brother Bill texts that when they checked into the hotel, they upgraded him to a min-suite with and extra bed, we could use if we want. Yes we said.

The next day, we leave early to drive to Albany, we were about a half an hour south of Eugene, when we get a text from our daughter, Jessica Roberts, that they are about a half an hour north of Eugene. They intended to go to the coast to see the eclipse, So we randomly have breakfast with Jessica Roberts, son-in-law, Josh Barizn and grandson Calvin in Eugene, Oregon.

We tell them our plans. Josh checks the weather at the beach, and there is a chance of fog during the eclipse. They decided to stay in Eugene, so we went the to hotel and transfer out reservation to Jessica.

We drive into Albany, with no traffic problems. Brother Bill was out exploring the town. As we were waiting, I was chit chatting with the receptionist when off the top of my head I ask, “Do you have any cancellations”. She looked on the computer, and we end up with a room in the middle of the zone, when a king sizes bed.

The hotel was right next to the Fair Grounds, where there are acres and acres of open viewing space. We text Jessica that there were no traffic problems and would check in with her in the morning.

So the big day comes, we set up a viewing area in the parking lot of the Fair Grounds. Right next to us is a man setting up a lot of camera equipment. I was unable to get a solar filter for my camera, so I was only going to be able to photograph the total part to the event. He says that he has an extra sheet and gives it to me. I set up my camera, take a couple of practice shots and wait.

I am with Kathy, my daughter, Jessica, her husband Josh, grandson Calvin, brother Bill and Sister in law, Liz.

It started gradually, the only way know is to look at the sun through special glasses. Slowly, the moon nipple at the sun until there was just a sliver. But even the sliver was too bright to look at without the glasses. It had grown darker, but still daytime.

Then, pow, the moon blocs out the sun. It gets dark, the stars and planets come out and a magnificent corona circles the moon. I became somewhat emotional, as I was witnessing a fantastic and rare event.

You could feel the difference in the air, it was not exactly cooler, but it felt different. It was an amazing experience.

Then the moon slowly covers less of the sun until everything is back to normal.

That was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I would go to another in a heartbeat.

We thought was were smart by staying in Albany until 3PM and took some secondary roads. What should have taken an hour, took three and a half hours. We bailed at Cottage Grove and stayed in an old fashioned resort, which had seen better days, but had acres and acres of gardens, Kathy was a happy camper.

The next morning we went to Ashland, which lived up to its name, there was smoke and ash from some fires in the region. The traffic was still pretty bad, it was good to stop. No plays that we want to see, ate dinner and came home today.

 

 

Done