Plans for the solar eclipse

[Trice]

I'm curious what people's plans are for the solar eclipse. I'm not one who gets really worked up about the different phases of the moon and all the different solar/lunar events that seem to happen every month or so. But I learned of this a couple of years ago and marked it on the calendar thinking it would be something cool for the kids since it's so rare.

But now I'm reading that hotels are tripling their prices and officials are worried about major traffic jams. I didn't realize this would be *that* big of a deal We have a school event that evening and can't afford to be stuck in traffic for hours getting home.

We're tentatively planning to drive to Nebraska or KC if the weather cooperates but I'm not sure how to strategize this. Just look for a big box store parking lot near the interstate, then jump in the car the second it's over?

 

[Doc]

Probably get super high, lie down in my backyard, and try not to fall asleep before it happens.


Edit: Ohhhh...this is one of those eclipses that happens when the sun is out. I'll be working.

 

[3TrueFans]

It's going to be pretty close to a total eclipse in central Iowa, you could just go out in your backyard?

 

[SwirlyBird]

im going to stare at it until my retinas burn out.

 

[3TrueFans]

im going to stare at it until my retinas burn out.

Then every second of every day is like a total solar eclipse!

 

[wxman1]

I have been debating taking the day off and flying down closer to it but I have heard of a few airports near the line of totality that are either taking reservations or are full. I think I heard that we will have around 90% of it blocked here so that will probably be good enough. I don't forsee many people working around the peak time.

 

[carvers4math]

One of my kids has a campsite near Grand Teton. He and his friends have been planning for a couple of years.

We're in southern Iowa, so husband wants to sort of wing it until we know the weather better. Planning on one of the little towns in Missouri on the path that will hopefully have less people. The somewhat larger ones seem like they are already sort of packed. He doesn't want to plan somewhere and go and not see anything due to weather.

 

[TykeClone]

Looting and pillaging. The end of civilization is upon us!

 

[MartyMcCy]

Heading to a TBD park near I-35 somewhere north of KC.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

The wife and I have the day off. We didn't take it off for the eclipse, just because it fit our schedules. However, the more I hear about it, we'll probably try to find some out of the way place a little north of KC and take it in. Apparently St Joseph, MO has been marketing this for a loooong time and is gonna be overflowing with people so I'm gonna stay the hell outta that city.

I'm debating whether or not we pull our daughter out of school for it. I'm not big into pulling kids out of school unless it's for an appt or an emergency, but I may bend my rule a bit.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

Stopped at a bar in the middle of nowwhere in Wyoming and the lady said they were expecting 40k people to be in that town during those 2 days before and after. I had no idea this was such a big deal. People are weird.

 

[Farnsworth]

It's going to be pretty close to a total eclipse of the heart in central Iowa, you could just go out in your backyard?

FTFY

 

[Sigmapolis]

Flying to Nashville. Renting a car. Driving to Kentucky to see it from its peak.

 

[Macloney]

Taking the day off and going to a friend's parents house in northern KS that is directly on the Path of Totality. It's going to be awesome.

 

[laminak]

It's going to be pretty close to a total eclipse in central Iowa, you could just go out in your backyard?

I read it'll be a 90% eclipse for Iowa. I'd like to know is it "good enough" to experience the eclipse.

 

[TruClone]

It will probably be cloudy that day...

 

[Cyclonepride]

I'm preparing for the Thundarr the Barbarian scenario.

 

[cycloner29]

Leave for St. Louis on the 20th for a sales meeting with people coming in from New York to see the eclipse. Pretty sweet deal, company paid trip to see the eclipse!!

 

[Cyched]

 

[chadm]

I live in the path for 100%. Amazing what is planned and number of people attending. Just need to hope for a clear sky.