Until recently, if someone had asked me to identify the most spectacular thing I've ever seen, coming up with an answer would not have been easy. I remember being about four years old and seeing a gigantic rainbow. I don't know exactly where I was, but I remember standing on the hood of Ma-Ma and Pa-Pa Harris' car to look at it. Then there was the time Jack and I were exploring some nearby woods, and I nearly stepped on a woodcock who was protecting a half-dozen babies under the camouflage of her wings. Watching Beatrice come into the world was absolutely incredible, but that experience naturally falls into a whole other category of spectacular. Then there are all the food wonders, which are also another category or more if we break them down into appetizers, entrees, and desserts, but that's not what I'm talking about today.
Now, and without question, I can honestly reply that that the totality of a solar eclipse is the most spectacular thing I've ever witnessed. And it WAS spectacular.
More than two years ago Cousin Cheryl's husband, Harry, e-mailed and asked for assistance in planning an eclipse viewing. Early charts indicated that the path of totality would pass directly over Middle Tennessee, and he wanted suggestions for a great vantage point which would allow him to set up a telescope and perhaps include whatever friends and family wanted to join in the fun. He said this was going to be a really big deal and shared links to astronomy geek websites where people were already making plans and hotel reservations, speculating that Nashville and other towns along the direct path of the eclipse would sell out quickly, completely, and well in advance of the actual event.
Those guys were right, too. Tennessee State Parks sold out within a couple of hours of cabin and campsite availability for the eclipse, and hotel rooms all along the path were quick to go, too, even though most lodging places tripled or quadrupled their overnight rates. Even La Quinta Inns were booked with double occupancy queen rooms going for $400 the weekend before the eclipse on the 21st.
Harry suggested choosing a site away from major roads and development to minimize the impact of light pollution on the ability to experience the eclipse, and as the map of the path evolved, the perfect place for the viewing became clear - Mom and Dad's farm.
When I told them what was going on and asked if we could throw an eclipse party in the field behind the barn, they were quick to say, "yes," and the wheels started rolling.
Early in the planning process, we decided to invite family from near and far to join us for the big event, and as things progressed, the guest list grew to include friends and neighbors and people we knew would appreciate the experience. The pieces fell into place pretty perfectly even though nobody was entirely sure what those pieces were going to look like. We were mostly hoping for clear skies and figured everything else would take care of itself.
By our best estimates, we had maybe 125 folks, and everyone had a wonderful time.
