Total solar eclipse. 2017 By Wikipedia.
By Tom Costantino, Roving Citizen Reporter.
Blogfinger,
I just got back from Tennessee and so reporting that Ocean Grove was successfully represented by at least one person (me) and 1 dog (Marigold) in the path of totality for the 2017 solar eclipse.
I made a last-minute trip with an old friend. We drove south for 12 hours, adjusting our target destination based on hourly weather forecasts. We finally settled on a small town just south of Knoxville, TN. We arrived at 3 am.
Madisonville, TN. A perfect place to watch the solar eclipse. All photos here and below by roving Blogfinger reporter Tom Costantino. ©
Madisonville, TN was about as close to the centerline of the eclipse as you could get and an accidental destination for us. We had 2 minutes and 38 seconds of total eclipse. The next morning we learned about a nearby park where the town was hosting a gathering for the big event. So, we headed over, set up our chairs and sun tent, and waited.
Our sun tent. In the foreground is Marigold. On the phone is my old friend Whatshisname. August 21, 2017.
It was all they said it would be: the slow crescendo of the partial eclipse, the diminishing light with stars eventually appearing, the cooling temperature, the crickets thinking it was nightfall.
Then the famous diamond ring appeared, and cheers erupted from the crowd. Time seemingly stood still for 2 minutes and 38 seconds. It was truly a most unique experience. Then came the 2nd diamond ring and it was over.
I was not equipped to take any photographs of the actual eclipse partly due to the last minute nature of the trip, but also on advice for first timers to just enjoy the fleeting moment with your own eyes and no distractions (good advice.)
Although it was an amazing experience, it was not life changing for me and so I did not instantly decide to become a life-long eclipse chaser or a monk.
Heading home. We need a space ship.
So we packed up and headed home. The trip back was a little longer but even still—well worth it.
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE. “Meet Me On the Equinox” from the soundtrack to the Twilight Saga—New Moon.