The April total solar eclipse could snarl traffic for hours across thousands of miles

[Tom of Temecula]

Millions of Americans will be looking to the sky during a rare total solar eclipse on April 8, and experts warn the excitement could create dangerous and busy traffic conditions as people pack into the narrow band of the country with the best view.

"Pack your patience, whether traveling a great distance or locally. People will be out and about to catch a glimpse of the eclipse," said Aixa Diaz, a spokesperson for the American Automobile Association.

Roads could be especially packed at the center of the eclipse's path as Americans who want the best view crowd into cities, towns and remote areas that don't have the infrastructure to handle crowds.

A similar scenario played out in 2017 during the nation's last total solar eclipse: Congestion in some areas lasted for up to 13 hours after totality, according to Transportation Research News, a National Research Council publication. An analysis of traffic patterns from that year suggests the worst of the traffic – on interstates and rural back roads alike – will kick off after the eclipse ends and everyone tries to leave all at once.

Link to tweet

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/03/02/solar-eclipse-2024-traffic/72763939007/

[Think. Again.]

1. I'm almost afraid to say this...

...but I don't think so many people are really that interested as the media is trying to project.

A 4 minute eclipse just isn't the kind of thing I would expect a lot of commonplace Americans to care about other than those of us with interests in science or more eclectic experiences.

I think it's just a minor curiousity thing to most people but not something they would go out of their way for, and I doubt a lot of people would even care if the media wasn't hyping it so much to fill airtime.

[brooklynite]

2. It's not a four minute eclipse...

It’s a two hours eclipse with up to four minutes of total darkness. Every hotel room in th path of the eclipse is sold out. And Buffalo NY is expecting a million people.

[Think. Again.]

3. And they say the media doesn't influence people.

[EYESORE 9001]

5. I would have driven hours to experience it, even staying overnight, without media input whatsoever

But that’s me. Fortunately, I live and work in the path of totality, so I can witness it in the parking lot.

[JT45242]

8. Me too...

Last one was no where near us. We could have seen it closer to home but this was a good excuse to bring the son to see his sick grandfather who won't make the next one.

I think the last total eclipse that I lived close enough to see was in the 1980s...yes predictable but rarely is the path of totality in such a relatively easy to get to path for large parts of the population.

[True Dough]

59. You could also go airborne

in that private jet that you fly Carly around in. Better view from up there.

[we can do it]

23. People have waited a lifetime for this, has nothing to do with media.

[Happy Hoosier]

38. Exactly....

I saw the total in 2017. As a life-long space science buff, I was deeply moved. If this one were also required a drive, I would have gone.... but planned to stay an extra day. The traffic getting out last time was NUTS.

I am fortunate enough that I live in the path of totality this time. So long as the clouds stay away, I'm in for a treat!'

I just made sure I have everything for a 48 hour period to avoid any traffic snarls.

[ecstatic]

75. The media influenced me this time

Though I'm interested in the eclipse and have been for a few years, I looked at the list of cities where it was expected to pass through and wasn't impressed.

But then I kept seeing all the commercials about the eclipse coverage today. Then someone mentioned that there won't be another one in the US until 2044 or 45?

So at that point I tried to see what I could scramble together but it was too late and honestly I don't feel comfortable traveling to those small towns that I've never even heard of.

I have family in upstate New York but it would be a little awkward trying to crash with them after not visiting (or calling) for years.

I'll have to settle for the 84% view in Atlanta. If it's not too cloudy.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

120. Why not cross the Peace Bridge and watch from Niagara Falls?

Also.

Link to tweet

Anyone coming to Buffalo from a distance will be very disappointed. Right now (3:15 ish) it's super creepy outside like a thunderstorm's on the way. I think I prefer this to what looks to me like the well from "The Ring."

[Brenda]

4. I agree, although in some places it will last an hour or more.

People will go, but millions and millions taking the day off work to drive somewhere they know they'll be stuck in traffic to see an eclipse? Definitely over-hyped and the crook politicians calling it an emergency are just sucking up the money. Exactly how will that fed money be used?

[Happy Hoosier]

39. Here locally, they are using it to have extra police and EMS on duty.

The population of my town is expected to about double today and tomorrow.

AS of 8:40 AM, all seems pretty calm. We'll see what it's like arounf 5PM as folks start to leave. I live close to the main Interstate access.

[Brenda]

42. Is it really going to be worse than Thanksgiving traffic on the interstates?

Why are people suddenly going to go crazy and need police and EMS for a couple of hours of high traffic?

My city doubles every Saturday during football season. No fed money for the extra cars and headaches to locals.

[LeftInTX]

50. No fed money is being dispersed. Biden will need to declare a "federal disaster" first.

The only fed money is going to NASA to study the eclipse.

[brooklynite]

62. Consider: people don't all have Thanksgiving dinner in the same time and place.

[LeftInTX]

46. The president must declare an area a federal disaster area before federal funds are dispersed.

Just because an area is declared an emergency by a county or governor, doesn't mean funds or significant funds are dispersed. For instance: Kerrville, TX closed their schools. The entire city is involved with an eclipse festival. NASA is there. Parking is limited and is going at $50-$100. It is also on the interstate. Anyway, resources need to be allocated to these suddenly crowded areas. Also, there will be people who may do "eclipse chasing". That's because it's cloudy here and it may not be as cloudy 70 miles to the west.

Roads are expected to be very crowded. It also gives a message to the public: Stay home, if you can.

EMS, some police officers and hourly local govt workers may get some overtime. Just because local emergency management is being utilized, it doesn't mean that President Biden is going to declare the eclipse areas federal disaster areas.

[Brenda]

71. Okay, thanks for the info. nt

[we can do it]

112. 4 hours for the millions watching in path of totality.

[snowybirdie]

6. You're right

So much hype and so many stories about a very predictable phenomenon that occurs every few years. It happened 7 years ago and will again many times again. Someone in media figured out some folks will spend money if they advertise it enough. Now there you have it. Folks going nuts and spending lots. Marketing wins again!

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. Oh, every few years? When's the next total eclipse visible in the U.S.?

[we can do it]

25. Don't expect a cogent reply.

[Think. Again.]

27. Any reason you changed the topic to...

...the U.S. specifically?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

37. Same reason you narrowed it to Americans.

[Think. Again.]

48. I didn't narrow it...

...my post was speaking about Americans from the start.

But I'm curious why you changed Brenda's statement to fit your own narrative?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

53. brenda who

[Think. Again.]

58. Sorry...

...Snowbirdie.

[Happy Hoosier]

40. Have you seen one?

People are excited for a reason. It's the same reason people travel to see the Grand Canyon. Or Niagra Falls.

Only THIS natural wonder is available for only a short time in specific places.

I mean, if you don't care, that's fine. Have a nice day. But poo-pooing other peoples' enthusiam seems..... petty.

[snowybirdie]

44. Yes

Seven years ago. Not petty. Just pointing out that marketing has run amuck. Experienced several as a child too. If that excites you go for it.

[LeftInTX]

56. I've waited lifetime for this! Unfortunately, I'm getting clouded out.

We would go "eclipse chasing", but hubby just had a heart procedure.

We are in the path of totality. Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to see a total eclipse. It's once in a lifetime for me.

A solar eclipse in May 1919 helped prove one of Albert Einstein's most famous hypotheses: his theory of general relativity.

Did you know that total eclipse is the only time that the sun's corona is visible? Did you know that scientists from all over the world are descending on the path of totality to study the corona.

This isn't a "media thing", it's a science thing.

Eclipse chasing is gonna be fairly common today and it's going to clog roads.

[Happy Hoosier]

64. Sorry the clouds are messin' with ya.

We're good here so far, but may get some high clouds later. Hoping for the best.

[Happy Hoosier]

63. You are very lucky to have experienced several totals...

Most people have never seen one.

I just don't understand the "marketing run amok" line. It may be old hat for you, but it's not for most folks. Not sure why we need the "get off my lawn" vibe on this. It's a pretty cool event, IMHO.

[we can do it]

68. Several TOTAL eclipses? Do you have a private plane?

[we can do it]

106. Several as a child? Are you a world traveler? Most of us can't do that.

There have been a total of 4 at someplace in US since I’ve been alive.

https://www.almanac.com/eclipse-history-total-solar-eclipses-united-states

[we can do it]

113. Who's marketing? Most events are free.

[Think. Again.]

51. I've seen 3 ..

...and only travelled to see one of those because it was time for a vacation anyway.

[TBF]

80. Yes. Back in elementary school - a lot of us are older and remember making the

pinhole papers back in the 70s!

It was a big deal back then too (although obviously not as crazy as this time with constant media, all the airbnb's in Austin, TX booked, etc ...).

Hope y'all enjoy it!

[Elessar Zappa]

107. A total eclipse is rare.

Unless you’re traveling the world to see eclipses, this is a rare event.

[we can do it]

114. Thank you

[JT45242]

7. Local police and fire said Indianapolis traffic likely worse than race day

Hundreds of thousands of people, including me, travelled to Indianapolis to be in the totality zone.

They are estimating three hours to get across the city.

They know how many hotels, air BNB, etc are booked.

We're here to see the eclipse and then hope it isn't too horrible driving back to Iowa afterwards.

They said the big concern is people will go out with not enough gas. Get stuck in traffic and run out of gas making traffic even worse.

Police said nonemergency calls will be delayed because they will have so many officers on traffic control.

Just passing along what local fire and police said.

[Emile]

11. You watching it from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

or the State Fairgrounds?

I hear NASA speakers will be at the Speedway explaining to the crowd what they're seeing. Pretty cool 😎. Indianapolis is predicting 50% cloud cover. We are going to see it near Terre Haute where they are predicting 25% cloud cover.

[JT45242]

17. IN laws house...

Few trees and good sight lines in the new subdivision that my SIL and BIL live in.

Brought a good video camera with a solar filter to film it from a tripod stand.

Trying to stay away from teh crouds. My father in law is getting chemo so we are all trying not to bring germs to him. Something for 4 of the 5 grand kids to share with their grandfather.

[Emile]

18. Awesome family experience.

[Happy Hoosier]

43. Hopefully the clouds will be thinner than that...

... and what clouds there are high the high wispy type.

Right now in Muncie, we have clear skies, but I hear we are expecting some high clouds later. Hopefully, we'll catch a break. At least it won;t be overcast, which is it historically is about 60% of the time on this date.

[Emile]

52. I live 60 miles north of Terre Haute and

right now we have a clear blue sky. Hopefully it will stay that way.

[LeftInTX]

73. I'm so sad. We are in totality, but have the worst visibility due to thick clouds.

South Texas, this time of year usually does not have overcast days with thick clouds.
We do get humidity and haze and thunderstorms. But overcast days are more common in Jan, Feb...sigh...

That is why so many people traveled to or were planning to travel to South Texas. (Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Uvalde, Kerrville, Ingram, Junction, Fredericksburg, Llano etc)

We have a Pacific System that moved in.

I'm in San Antonio, which was given the "worse eclipse forecast" in the totality path. It is what it is.

[SARose]

77. Me too, Left

I live just North of SA right off I35 where allllll the construction is. We are scurrying this am to run errands and be home quickly. 🤞

[LeftInTX]

98. We drove up to Boerne where my son lives.

We took 10 here. Told hubby "Take backroads via Kyle Seale and Boerne Stage Rd" He didn't listen lol.

We'll take backroads home.

[Emile]

84. Starting approx 3 hours and it's 60 degrees and sunny

blue sky here. Hopefully your afternoon sky will clear up. Getting ready soon to head 60 miles south to see it. Cooler and picnic basket ready to go. 😎

[LeftInTX]

97. Much of N TX , Ark, and Midwest will have great conditions. We just got unlucky

[Emile]

109. Here is what looks like near Terre Haute.

[20240408-125050.jpg](https://postimg.cc/hQ4GTGJh)

[LeftInTX]

118. We saw the corona for a second. Just at the end of totality

Saw the pink bands. Then poof, the diamond appeared.
Super cloudy, but for one second it came out of the clouds.

[Emile]

119. Awesome. Almost totality in Indiana

[Texasgal]

122. Here in Austin

Yeah, it was cloudy., but I was able to view it with some movement with the clouds. The coolest thing that happened, was when totality hit... the clouds separated and gave us all an amazing view!

Enjoyed it in my backyard in South Austin!

[LeftInTX]

123. We saw totality in Boerne for about 1 sec! Son snapped this with his phone just as it was about to get light again.

Suddenly, it appeared and there must have been a break in the clouds.

Photo quality isn't good because we didn't play with any settings ahead of time. We figured we would be lucky to see anything. But it was the corona. We could see those pink coronal flares mixed with the white.

[Emile]

86. Indy 500 billing it as Indiana's Spectacle in the Sky

[claudette]

13. Maybe

Maybe not. I’m not scientifically inclined but to have the opportunity to see a TOTAL eclipse in person only ONCE in my lifetime is so exciting. It will never be available to me again in my lifetime. Many people in my area of western NY feel the same way.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

15. lol what on earth

Commonplace Americans? Eclectic experiences?

[Think. Again.]

19. I thought those were fairly clear...

...discriptors, would you prefer other phrases?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

36. No I'm just wondering what a "commonplace American" is and why a person would have to either be scientific

or have had "eclectic experiences" (such as?) to be interested in seeing a total eclipse.

[Think. Again.]

45. oh, okay, carry on.

[Elessar Zappa]

24. If I had the money, I'd travel far to see this.

It’s an epic experience.

[snpsmom]

28. We drove to Ohio

from Michigan yesterday. No traffic at all. Fingers crossed that it will be smooth sailing going home today. I have to teach tomorrow.

[we can do it]

35. 450 miles from Rehoboth Beach to Akron for totality. Got to see partial in 2017.

Can’t wait, the partial was fun to watch.

[True Dough]

60. Some of the reporting does sound a little hyperbolic

It reminds me a bit of Y2K in that respect.

[LeftInTX]

67. No. It's just allocating police, EMS, local emergency management and asking for cooperation of the public

We get flash floods around here. TX DOT puts out "turn around don't drown" signs. We get flash flood warnings on our phones.
This really is no different.

They want the public to plan their day around the eclipse. Avoiding getting on the highway unnecessarily. Plan your shopping trip after the eclipse. Plan nonessential driving after the eclipse.

We are going to my son's house and taking the backroads instead of the interstate. (He lives about 30 miles from here) The NWS is also involved with messages: "Arrive early and leave late". They're trying to avoid everyone hoping on the roads at once and creating traffic hazards.

[usedtobedemgurl]

74. I drove 12 hours to experience it.

Many campgrounds/motorways made into campgrounds are sold out. The nearest one to where we are, right now, was selling campgrounds camping areas for $200 a pop.

School, here, is cancelled for the day. A lot of businesses are closed. My husband’s cousin has a cabin on a nearby lake and he rented it out for a ton of money.

A lot of people are interested in this.

[LeftInTX]

102. Not only are local schools closed, they're barricaded to keep eclipse parties off grounds.

[Liberal In Texas]

76. You are SO wrong.

All city offices are closed. Many businesses are closing today. Restaurants are packed. Schools are closed. Traffic yesterday was like the busiest ever rush hour. Our garbage day is Monday, been postponed. The Dallas Arboretum on White Rock Lake months ago issued entrance tickets for today, they sold out in minutes. Hotels are nearly 100% booked. Parking lots around here are chock full. People are driving down my residential street like it's a major throughfare. Dallas cops are shutting entrance ramps to downtown later today to keep traffic from backing up into the driving lanes.

This has nothing to do with the media "hyping it up." People have been making reservations and plans for over a year.

[Think. Again.]

79. Abd you believe all that would be happening without...

...the media hype?

I'll have to take your word for it.

I just know that the last two I happen to be in the path of didn't cause any of this chaos.

[Liberal In Texas]

81. Yes. People know seeing a total eclipse is for most people a once in a lifetime experience.

And this eclipse is going through or close to a lot of major populations.

[we can do it]

115. Yes because many of us planned this years ago, when we saw this is last possible for decades.

[brooklynite]

85. Translation: "I 'm not interested so of course nobody else is"

[Think. Again.]

93. No need for a false translation...

(otherwise known as "putting words in someone else's mouth" )

Here is my actual post with my only intentional thoughts:

"1. I'm almost afraid to say this...

...but I don't think so many people are really that interested as the media is trying to project.

A 4 minute eclipse just isn't the kind of thing I would expect a lot of commonplace Americans to care about other than those of us with interests in science or more eclectic experiences.

I think it's just a minor curiousity thing to most people but not something they would go out of their way for, and I doubt a lot of people would even care if the media wasn't hyping it so much to fill airtime."

And even though you haven't asked, I am happy to tell you that I actually am interested and will be viewing it from my home.

[ForgedCrank]

87. Don't get

me wrong, I want to see the event simply because it is such a rare thing to witness.
But in the end, It's just a shadow. I just can't understand why all the hype and doom. Seems to me that media is doing what media does, which is everything they can to leverage the event for clicks and views no matter how stupid it makes them look.

[LeftInTX]

104. Only chance to see the sun's corona!

Corona is not a shadow.

Also there are crescent shadows all over the place, if you are near mature trees. It's really cool.

[SYFROYH]

126. I drove 5 hours to TN with my son to see the 2017 eclipse

It was a great experience!

[Emile]

9. I must be caught up in the hype, because

living only 50 miles away from the totallity zone we're not missing this opportunity. I look for it to be a inspirational life changing event that I'll remember the rest of my life.

[Brenda]

10. How does it change your life? nt

[Emile]

12. If you need to ask, you probably won't get it

Just kidding 😂.

Visiting Casey, Illinois was a life changing event too.

[claudette]

14. An experience

Doesn’t have to be life changing to be enjoyed. I don’t understand what you are saying? I haven’t talked to one person who isn’t truly excited about being able to see a total eclipse once in their lifetime. So cynical

[Think. Again.]

21. They happen fairly often...

...but I understand having one happen close to home is fun.

But really, it's just a bit of fun if you're not studying astrophysics or lost in the occult.

[we can do it]

29. No. They. Do. Not.

The next TOTAL solar eclipse in lower 48 states will be August 12, 2045.

[Think. Again.]

32. Yes. They. Do.

"Most calendar years have two solar eclipses. The maximum number of solar eclipses that can take place in the same year is five, but this is rare. According to NASA calculations, only about 25 years in the past 5,000 years have had five solar eclipses. The last time this happened was in 1935, and the next time will be in 2206."
Source: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/how-often-solar-eclipse.html

[we can do it]

41. Reading for comprehension would be helpful here. Total eclipse visible in US, not partial, not annular, total.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/next-total-solar-eclipse-2044-2045/#

https://www.accuweather.com/en/solar-eclipse-2024/if-you-miss-2024s-total-solar-eclipse-the-next-one-in-the-us-is-far-in-the-future/1635257

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2024/03/30/its-exactly-nine-years-until-the-next-us-total-solar-eclipse/?sh=24ccb0de6779

[Think. Again.]

57. uh huh...

"A total eclipse occurs on average every 18 months when the dark silhouette of the Moon completely obscures the intensely bright light of the Sun, allowing the much fainter solar corona to be visible. During any one eclipse, totality occurs at best only in a narrow track on the surface of Earth. This narrow track is called the path of totality."
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse

[LeftInTX]

69. Yeah, if you have money to travel all over the world!!!!

Geez...

Some people just gotta criticize everything.

Can't believe people are bashing a scientific wonder on DU!!!!!!!

I thought DU supported science. I guess there are those who want to turn the eclipse into a "capitalist corporate" event. I guess breathing is a corporate capitalist event.

Everything is "corporate capitalist" to some people.

[Think. Again.]

72. Hi, if you read my post...

...you'll see I wasn't "criticizing" or "bashing" anyone except the media hype.

Here is my post in it's entirety:

" I'm almost afraid to say this...
6:15 AM

...but I don't think so many people are really that interested as the media is trying to project.

A 4 minute eclipse just isn't the kind of thing I would expect a lot of commonplace Americans to care about other than those of us with interests in science or more eclectic experiences.

I think it's just a minor curiousity thing to most people but not something they would go out of their way for, and I doubt a lot of people would even care if the media wasn't hyping it so much to fill airtime."

Twisting other people's posts just to bash THEM is disengenious at best.

[we can do it]

78. Lots of places have been giving away glasses and holding free events.

[claudette]

92. But, not always visible in our country

What is there to be sorry for when so many of us are TRULY excited about being able to see a TOTAL eclipse for the first time in our life - without having to travel to another country or state.

[Think. Again.]

95. Sorry about what?

(I think you misread my apology for naming a wrong poster).

[AZSkiffyGeek]

100. Geography is hard

[claudette]

88. Not TOTAL eclipses

[Think. Again.]

94. ...

"A total eclipse occurs on average every 18 months when the dark silhouette of the Moon completely obscures the intensely bright light of the Sun, allowing the much fainter solar corona to be visible. During any one eclipse, totality occurs at best only in a narrow track on the surface of Earth. This narrow track is called the path of totality."
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse

[we can do it]

105. Most are far away from civilization. But go ahead keep repeating yourself.

History of total eclipses that were close to some part of USA.

https://www.almanac.com/eclipse-history-total-solar-eclipses-united-states

[claudette]

111. Thank you for saying that

Just watched a NASA video on You Tube and he said that the way the Moon Earth and Sun are lined up for THIS total eclipse today won’t happen again for 375 years. So yea. This is a once in a life time event for everyone alive today.

[claudette]

110. OMG

But not visible IN OUR COUNTRY

[JT45242]

31. They happen fairly often (i.e annually) but 70% are over open water...

The corona, the sheer awe. Putting the beauty of the universe in perspective.

It makes you understand why the ancients were so mystified by it.

The next total eclipese in the contiguous 48 is 1944 -- and only in ND and MOntana in areas where few people live and are a pain to travel to.

This is going near major metro areas.

[Brenda]

30. You're making assumptions when I simply asked a very specific question

That person said it was going to be an inspirational life changing event. I asked how it would change their life.

I never said I didn't enjoy seeing the eclipses. But considering all the shit going on that gets zero news coverage I think it's a big distraction.

[we can do it]

47. The same way hiking to awe inspiring places does. Or a phenomenal live musical performance.

Life isn’t just just about fighting repukes. Why bother fighting if there’s no beauty.

[Brenda]

70. Why would you assume I don't know those things?

I have done all of those things and get a lot of joy, fun and/or knowledge from them.

I asked the poster how this event was going to be life changing.

I've seen many eclipses, one almost total. It was cool, loved the little weird shadows in my yard.

But it did NOT change my life. I'm an artist and it did not even inspire me to paint it.

Nature and wildlife inspire me on a daily basis and I'm surrounded by people who don't care to think about the crisis we are in. People should be alarmed about how hot the Atlantic ocean is right now. The newly released hurricane outlook last week. I could go on and on. The news might mention those issues but not WALL TO WALL HYPING it even though it is the one thing that will affect every single human on the planet. It's literally an existential crisis.

Never told anyone to not enjoy the sun and moon.

So sue me if I don't get all worked up about the eclipse.

[claudette]

90. All awesome

experiences change our life because it adds to our knowledge and gives us something to tell our kids and grandkids.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

20. The forecast for the Twin Cities is Cloudy with a chance of rain showers.

So no Total Eclipse watching here.

[Ocelot II]

83. Yes, but it will be even darker and gloomier for a little while. So there's that.

[onethatcares]

22. there's a thread on Gen Discussion

that asks, "When did you realize how dumb America became".. This is a prime example we can refer to in short order.

I forgot to add that Arkansas has already issued a state of emergency because of the eclipse

[Think. Again.]

26. Arkansas must be a comfortable place to live.

[tanyev]

33. OMG, I'm in the DFW area and I cannot wait until this stupid eclipse is over.

Everyone has lost their friggin’ minds. Last night my local news ran a sped up clip from 2017-just a stationary camera pointed at an intersection in a small town somewhere. After the clip, it came back to the anchor who said, “Did you catch that? It got dark and then light again.”

OMG, REALLY? I thought I saw it get dark and then light again, but I wasn’t 100% sure, so thank you for clarifying that for me, Ms. News Lady.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

34. I'm in an area of only 97% eclipsivity. And I will stay off the roads.

I can imagine some drivers wearing eclipse-shades and driving while staring out the sunroof. Maybe texting selfies at the same time. It could be nuts.

It's been some years since I stared at the sun through dark glasses, for a very rare Transit of Venus. Not as dramatic as an eclipse, but still interesting.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

103. Probably dumbshits trying to drive with eclipse glasses

Not realizing that you can't see in normal light with them and they are only useful for staring at the sun.

[TexasBushwhacker]

49. When I heard that Greg Abbott was calling in

the National Guard for crowd control, I decided to stay home. I don't like crowds anyway.

[Torchlight]

54. Looking forward to the greatest totality I've experienced. 90%+ here.

Last edited Mon Apr 8, 2024, 01:49 PM - Edit history (1)

If weather cooperates, that is (which is iffy). I watch the apogees of existence humbled by events like this, which brings to my mind Sagan saying, “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”



Surprised/not surprised an event as benign and rare to so many people would invite a such raft of sealions. Good luck.

[Marthe48]

55. I'll let the grand dogs out today

My daughter called yesterday and asked if I would. I'm always happy to hang out with the pets. Then she mentioned that she had little eclipse glasses for the dogs and cats, and wondered I could slip those on them before the eclipse started. I fell for it, until she started chuckling. lol

[Emile]

61. LOL she got you.

[Marthe48]

65. She said she had some for the chickens too

lol

[Emile]

66. Bwhaha

[MerryBlooms]

91. 🤣💕

[MerryBlooms]

89. 😄💕

[Ocelot II]

82. A relative lives in a town in the path of the total eclipse

and he said it's nuts down there. He bought groceries and booze a couple of days ago because the stores are being picked clean by the tourists; there are no hotel rooms or camp sites available anywhere, and he's just going to sit in his driveway and watch the thing with his eclipse glasses and camera with filters and not leave home until everyone goes away.

[Emile]

96. William Shatner will be at Indiana University

football stadium for the event.

[LeftInTX]

99. Cool!!

[CrispyQ]

101. Yesterday I saw pictures of Texas highways with signs that read, "No stopping to view the eclipse!"

I wouldn't want to be on the road during that time. Too many people don't pay attention to the road on a regular day.

[Hela]

108. No "could" about it, and totality is completely different from 94% or any partial coverage.

There's a big difference between being in the path of totality vs. having even 1% of the sun uncovered. I've seen a few partials and one total so far in my life, and I'm now a convert. We got lucky enough to be living in the path of totality for this one, but we drove 3.5 hours to Tennessee in 2017. It took us somewhere between 8-9 hours to get home.

Here's what Google Maps looked like in 2017 -- you could follow the path of totality by watching the traffic jams move across the country.

[honest.abe]

116. My brother is in Carbondale IL which is one of the cities in the dead center for totality.

He said traffic was a mess even just getting there this morning. Leaving will be much much worse. He decided to view it a bit out of town to avoid the bulk of the traffic.

[SWBTATTReg]

117. A shame. I hope all are careful out there driving or whatever means they are using to get to an observation

point. I was lucky, watched the last total solar eclipse in my backyard (STLMO, 2017). It was awe-inspiring, I have to admit.

Now-a-days, NASA has a channel devoted to showing the eclipse, plus I'm sure that others are doing things similar. In STLMO, we have the planetarium, which showed the eclipse the time before, and I'm sure that they'll do it again.

I'll just be glad when it's all over and done w/, the crazies have been out in force as usual, forecasting doom, gloom, and disasters of all types impacting us. These idiots are taking a natural event and using for their foul purposes, to stir up anger, resentment, crazy behavior, etc., you know what I'm talking about. Sarah Huckabee has even declared a state of emergency in Arkansas. Can you imagine? I wonder how much she is costing the taxpayers of Arkansas for this stupid decision of hers. Maybe tRUMP will go outside somewhere and look blindly at the Sun w/o the glasses to watch safely. Hmmm.

As for me, I'm going to take my solar glasses that a friend gave me, and watch the event unfold once again. I just hope that I don't run into any crazies out there. I'll take the backstreets (car) to be safe.

[Boomerproud]

125. The nuts do ruin it for the rest of us.

Of course they ruin everything!

[MorbidButterflyTat]

121. Currently outside the kitchen window

the birds are chirping "WTF?"

It's super dark and creepy here in WNY. I can see why primitive man felt compelled to offer a blood sacrifice to the Sun God to shine again. It's scary!


PS. That was amazing!! Total darkness with reddish lights on the north and east horizons, then as I stood in the yard, it lightened back up and the birds returned. Cloudy was so much better than sun! Awesome!!

[miyazaki]

127. Nice. Could you feel a temperature drop?

-And by the way, just a huge thumbs down for a couple of uninspired dolts up-thread who shat on this event.

[brooklynite]

124. The 90 minute trip from Binghamton to our viewing site in Oswego took three hours returning...

Something about traffic.

[OAITW r.2.0]

128. Leaving Greenville Maine....after hanging at a great little pub grill for 90 minutes.....

Traffic from Greenville to Guilford, Maine was 10MPH (20 miles?). Then it broke up. I don't know why. Maybe targeted disintegration of certain vehicles leaving Eclipse Central?

[LeftInTX]

129. We drove 30 miles to our son's home this morning. I told my husband, "Take the backroads"

He says, "The traffic is fine, let's just go on I-10". I tried to tell him. As soon as we get to 10, then he sees the mess. Plus we're dealing people who aren't familiar with the area etc. Normally, a 30 minute or so drive, it took 1 hr and 10 minutes to get there.

On the way home, he agreed to take the backroads. Normally a 41 minute drive, took about 50 minutes.

[OAITW r.2.0]

130. Unfortunately up here in Maine, there are no shortcuts.

Essentially, there is one good road into and out of Greenville.

[DemocraticPatriot]

131. So, did it ??? I was safely asleep within my home,

since I was up all night because my sleep cycle was screwed up....

Anyway, it kept my eyes safe. LOL


I trust that none of the apocalypses predicted by Q-anon have come to pass,
since I woke up and my electricity, water, and cell phone still work---

EXCEPT for the observation that DARK BRANDON brought this eclipse
to demonstrate his ultimate power, and that MAGAts shouldn't even bother to vote--
because we have it RIGGED-- and will ARREST THEM if they show up
at the polls!!!!!