Total Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017

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Story of this Aug 2017 Solar Eclipse

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What, when where and how? The first total solar eclipse in nearly 100 years is upon us.  Most of the mainland will see partial eclipse of 75% or more, with  14 states from Oregon to S Carolina are in the path of Totality (100%.)   Total eclipse will last about 2 1/2 minutes. The shadow will touch the United States for only 1h 33m 16.8s - less than the length of a short movie.  But in that time, many, many people from coast to coast will have witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime event.  Of course, I plan to be there, in the path, together with a few hundred thousand other converts!  Look for the exact times here . For approximately 90 minutes, the moon's shadow will sweep eastward across the U.S., from its first land contact in northwestern Oregon, to its last in southeastern South Carolina.  Viewers in southern Illinois will experience the maximum duration of totality along the shadow path, with the sun completely obscured by the moon for 2 ...
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Day by Day

Started with a primary goal of viewing Total Solar Eclipse from somewhere on the line of Totality in Idaho or Wyoming, this trip expanded to a 3000 mile National Park expedition from Aug 17 to Aug 23.  Given the distances, it only made sense to make stops along the way and enjoy nature and do some sightseeing. Day 1 - Visit Yosemite and Mono Lake, overnight at Tonopah, NV (420 miles) - Yosemite valley was smokey due to fires down in Mariposa.  Glacier point was closed due to fire danger, and although there was water in all waterfalls, it was nothing like the full glory earlier in the season. - Mono Lake is a beautiful looking lake that you should stay away from due to its salinity and acidity.  Tufas are worth a visit. Day 2 - Drive across rest of Nevada, visit Kolob/Zion and Cedar Breaks, overnight at Panguitch, UT (463 miles) - Although part of Zion NP, Kolob Canyons have a completely different feel to it. - If you haven't been to Bryce, you'd be impressed...
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The Day of Total Solar Eclipse

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This is the day we have been waiting for! Our plan was to stay safe distance away from crazy hotel prices in the path of totality while avoiding traffic jams, and then to drive up to a spot on the line of totality depending on the weather and traffic conditions that day.  Ideal and most convenient place would be just below Rexburg, ID on US-20 on the way to Yellowstone, some 82 miles away.  Alternative plan was to continue on I-15N to someplace north of Roberts, ID. We checked the weather t he night before.  It was clear everywhere near Rexburg.  Without traffic, this 200+ mile trip from our hotel in Layton, UT - just north of Salt Lake City (SLC), would take nearly 3 hours.  I-15 has posted speed limits of 70-75-80 mph, making the trip shorter.  The question was how bad will the traffic be on Monday August 21 - no one knew. Coming up to SLC on Sunday August 20, freeway signs warned drivers to expect traffic delays and to plan accordingly.  ...
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