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Friday, August 11, 2017

Eclipse Preparations

I really don't feel like typing the list of preps tonight. Oregon is declaring a state of emergency. Gas, food, housing may all be stressed or not available. Therefore, I am preparing for the worst.

The trip should take a little over two hours from here to Nashville. But, if there is the gridlock that is predicted, well, I am taking a deep breath and hoping it is not true, that it won't happen. We have four hours before total eclipse, but I want to see the progress, too.

Exbf said his car gets 350 miles on a tank of gas. So, I want him to fill up when he gets here and then before we enter Tennessee. That should work to get us up and back, even with sitting and getting no where.

We won't need to buy any food or water. We will have it all with us. We will have enough gas. I may get a gas can filled before we leave Alabama. However, I hate to have gas fumes in the vehicle with no trunk.

And, I have someone staying here while we are gone since the world knows I am leaving the house, not that there is anything of value.

I heard that people want teachers to keep children in the schools indoors and not even let them look out the windows. Well, if that were my children and there would be any part of an eclipse, I would have to check them out of school for a few hours and let them use glasses to see the eclipse.

Your turn
What are your plans for the eclipse? How much will be visible in your area?

13 comments:

  1. We are supposed to have a good portion of the sun covered, so I am staying home instead of heading to Nashville.

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  2. Wow! What is the big deal? State emergency and stuff like that? About ten years ago there was a total eclipse that we experienced. I was working for a large company with a huge campus. Only a fraction of people went out. It got really dark for some moments and we even felt the temperature falling but that took just a short while. We shared a few glasses available and then we just walked back to our offices saying "that was interesting" and that's all.

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    Replies
    1. T'Pol,
      Apparently, there is more interest here. Some towns will be tenfold that day.

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    2. That's exactly what my DH said. what is the big deal? he remembers the one back in '79 or whenever it was and said it only last a few minutes. Not a big deal. LOL. My side job company is letting everyone in the office work from home that day. I think they are over reacting just a bit.

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    3. One,
      The last TOTAL eclipse occurred in 1918. I think the fact it lasts only a few minutes IS the big deal. Millions of people are over-reacting, I suppose.

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  3. Linda, I think it is in Oregon that there are wildfires that have caused officials to close a viewing place that was expected over 10,000 people. Maybe that is the state of emergency you heard about as what I read is that many will not heed the closing.

    We're to have about an 83% coverage. We'll stay home and use a viewer. As is typical for FL afternoons and the thunderstorms, we'll probably have heavy cloud coverage that will diminish the viewing but we still won't look directly at it.

    Your trip should go well with all your preps. My only concern would be bathroom breaks - I need those very frequently and with all the people on the road I would be worried about the facilities being able to cope.

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    Replies
    1. Bellen,
      The article I read only mentioned the eclipse, not the fires. I thought that was a little extreme. Still, reports of airlines and hotels say things will be crowded and hectic.

      I worry about weather, but we will go no matter what. I would hate to be disappointed.

      I have a bucket for those. No way I would travel where I might not find a bathroom without it...lol.

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  4. Linda please dont carry gasoline in your car. I think you would be better served with a pee bucket.

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    Replies
    1. carol,
      I decided after I posted that I would tie the gas can on the rack on the car. I don't think I can stand even the slightest fumes for so long. I do carry gas for the lawnmower, but I never drive far. I do have a pee bucket on the list which I did not post. I would not leave home without it...lol.

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  5. I am in the PNW. It's the forest fires that prompted the state of emergency.
    Glad school doesn't start here until after Labor Day. Like you, I would keep my kids out of school to view the eclipse if teachers were closing blinds.
    I understand they are worried about eye safety, but hand out the free glasses, and get permission slips. A total eclipse IS a big deal. They happen fairly regularly, yes, but not all parts of the world can see them. It's an amazing event, and a great way to get kids interested in science to boot. We're in a partial area, and I will watch it with my family....wearing our ISO certified eclipse glasses.
    We are excited. I won't take them to a stupid amusement park to experience imitation, commercialized crap, but we are .aking a houge xeal out of the eclipse. The 21st is going to be a fun day here. I am baking sunshine muffins (and mimosas for for dh and me) for breakfast, we'll have the sprinkler set up outside for the younger ones to play in, and I am planning a special dinner.

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    Replies
    1. Meg b.,
      Oh, thanks for the fire info. If my children's school let children watch with the glasses, I would be there to supervise mine to make sure they did not do something foolish, like look without the glasses.

      I have heard people are having eclipse parties. I suppose exbf and I will have one on the road! I think we will have fun, too, except for the driving.

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  6. I few months ago we took a fancy to go see SC and GA this August. It turns out we will be in Charleston on 21 August the day the eclipse happens! If it is clear we have front row seats! We got our glasses.

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Okay, hoping the annoyances have gone away.