Sep 7, 2016, 2:38 pm
Last edit by: slocouple
(West to east)
Madras, OR:
wcrhkd
Dayton, OR:
2ruse
BOI (Ontario, Oregon):
jrl767
PWMTrav+family (tentative)
HkCaGu
SLE / Salem, OR:
Eastbay1K
Smiley90
C W
AS3382 PDX-MCI in flight, ID-WY
violist
lili
There are still window seats available on this flight
(though in coach and for lots of money)
Island Park, ID:
SLOCouple (probably driving to or near Rexburg)
JAC / Jackson Hole, WY:
Austin787 (watching at the airport)
CPR / Casper, WY:
pseudoswede + 6
AIA / Alliance, NE:
mhnadel
headinclouds (Sidney)
LNK / Lincoln, NE (driving west for viewing):
jerry305 +1
TheLifeOfA_NKCM + 3 (Staying in Omaha then driving somewhere near LNK)
MCI/Kansas City: (driving north or east into MO for viewing)
Sweet Willie
jackal (possibly; if I come, I'll drive up to STJ on 8/21; may also be near St. Clair, MO or Carbondale, IL)
STJ (north of MCI, MO):
ClaudiSTR
FriendlySkies
Evansville, IN:
mvitale + 1 (then driving to Carbondale, IL-ish for viewing)
BNA(/Hopkinsville, KY): (Click for URL)
Zorak
tmiw
HPN-HRL
diburning +1
financialhippie + family
exerda +1
l'etoile (likely watching in Gallatin)
trek87
GSP / Greenville–Spartanburg, SC:
SRQ Guy
CHS / Charleston, SC:
Mr. Vker
jrsinpdx
Brendan (I live there!
)
yunicorner (will probably watch in Columbia at the capitol)
Herb687
BeachMiles
Madras, OR:
wcrhkd
Dayton, OR:
2ruse
BOI (Ontario, Oregon):
jrl767
PWMTrav+family (tentative)
HkCaGu
SLE / Salem, OR:
Eastbay1K
Smiley90
C W
AS3382 PDX-MCI in flight, ID-WY
violist
lili
There are still window seats available on this flight
(though in coach and for lots of money)
Island Park, ID:
SLOCouple (probably driving to or near Rexburg)
JAC / Jackson Hole, WY:
Austin787 (watching at the airport)
CPR / Casper, WY:
pseudoswede + 6
AIA / Alliance, NE:
mhnadel
headinclouds (Sidney)
LNK / Lincoln, NE (driving west for viewing):
jerry305 +1
TheLifeOfA_NKCM + 3 (Staying in Omaha then driving somewhere near LNK)
MCI/Kansas City: (driving north or east into MO for viewing)
Sweet Willie
jackal (possibly; if I come, I'll drive up to STJ on 8/21; may also be near St. Clair, MO or Carbondale, IL)
STJ (north of MCI, MO):
ClaudiSTR
FriendlySkies
Evansville, IN:
mvitale + 1 (then driving to Carbondale, IL-ish for viewing)
BNA(/Hopkinsville, KY): (Click for URL)
Zorak
tmiw
HPN-HRL
diburning +1
financialhippie + family
exerda +1
l'etoile (likely watching in Gallatin)
trek87
GSP / Greenville–Spartanburg, SC:
SRQ Guy
CHS / Charleston, SC:
Mr. Vker
jrsinpdx
Brendan (I live there!
)yunicorner (will probably watch in Columbia at the capitol)
Herb687
BeachMiles
How about a US total eclipse DO?; Aug. 21, 2017; let's start planning!
Aug 22, 2017, 9:47 pm
#331
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,398
Aug 23, 2017, 12:26 am
#332
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
)
Aug 23, 2017, 1:20 am
#333
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 25,000
I saw the total eclipse of the sun in South Carolina — almost exactly in the middle of the path of totality. That location was literally a last-minute decision — otherwise, I would have posted my intentions in this discussion.
Despite all of the angst I went through — many hours of traffic and pouring rain — I would do it all over again without hesitation.
I wished I could tell those who only saw a partial solar eclipse that they were not missing anything — but I would be blatantly lying to them.
If you have the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse, accept no less than 100 percent totality — lest you be disappointed.
Chile on July 2, 2019, anyone?
Despite all of the angst I went through — many hours of traffic and pouring rain — I would do it all over again without hesitation.
I wished I could tell those who only saw a partial solar eclipse that they were not missing anything — but I would be blatantly lying to them.
If you have the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse, accept no less than 100 percent totality — lest you be disappointed.
Chile on July 2, 2019, anyone?
Aug 23, 2017, 6:09 am
#335
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: No more status, free agent now
Posts: 163
Eclipse chasing is also extremely compatible with FlyerTalk: Got to see the eclipse with perfect weather and looking at 12,880 air miles to get there and back home (and drove about 900 car miles).
I was practically on the centerline near Oregon/Idaho border area based on high chance of good weather, flying to/from SLC as this was a bit last moment, booked only 2 weeks before.
The traffic jams SLC-Oregon were less than I expected (none to get up there the day before, pretty bad, but not horrible, in a few spots driving back down to SLC, about doubling the driving time).
Agree with everyone about totality being totally worth even quite serious travel effort, partial is meh.
I was practically on the centerline near Oregon/Idaho border area based on high chance of good weather, flying to/from SLC as this was a bit last moment, booked only 2 weeks before.
The traffic jams SLC-Oregon were less than I expected (none to get up there the day before, pretty bad, but not horrible, in a few spots driving back down to SLC, about doubling the driving time).
Agree with everyone about totality being totally worth even quite serious travel effort, partial is meh.
Aug 23, 2017, 11:26 am
#336
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,738
I was thinking worst-case scenario would be 8-9 hours to get home. It took us TWELVE hours to get home last night (just after 1am). I-25 was an absolute parking lot starting about 20 miles north of Glendo State Park all the way to Wheatland. We then averaged about 20mph for the next 80 miles to Cheyenne, where there was another parking lot through the city (fortunately Google told us to take some side roads). For reference, on Saturday, we drove from Cheyenne to Casper in 2h30m. Yesterday, it took 9h30m to go the opposite way. I was finally able to go the speed limit once I hit Loveland, CO.
Every gas station and restaurant along the highway were jammed packed. I was actually surprised that none ran out of gas (or food).
I didn't see a single wreck, and just a handful of broken down cars (mainly flat tires). There were many people who stopped on the side of the road just to relax or go to the bathroom.
Every gas station and restaurant along the highway were jammed packed. I was actually surprised that none ran out of gas (or food).
I didn't see a single wreck, and just a handful of broken down cars (mainly flat tires). There were many people who stopped on the side of the road just to relax or go to the bathroom.
With the quick flow of traffic leaving that quickly I can tell you that three or four semi trucks going 65-70 created some slow down, but the biggest slow down came from the highway patrol in the median of the interstate. As soon as people could see the patrol cars they would slow down way below the speed limit. Once you hit Colorado it seemed there was a patrol car every mile.
Aug 23, 2017, 7:21 pm
#338
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CAE,AGS
Programs: AAExP, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, IHG Spire, Marriott Plat
Posts: 3,124
Watched the eclipse in Columbia SC- on Lake Murray in a pontoon boat. We were planning to head to Lexington/Columbia anyway as it is just a 50 mile drive. Then a last minute invite from my cousin put us in an incredible spot in the middle of the lake with hundreds of other boaters. I was absolutely awestruck! We were rooting for the folks in Charleston where it seemed most of the rain was!
This eclipse now goes on my Top Ten Life Experiences list!
I am definitely considering Chile for 2019!!!
This eclipse now goes on my Top Ten Life Experiences list!
I am definitely considering Chile for 2019!!!
I saw the total eclipse of the sun in South Carolina — almost exactly in the middle of the path of totality. That location was literally a last-minute decision — otherwise, I would have posted my intentions in this discussion.
Despite all of the angst I went through — many hours of traffic and pouring rain — I would do it all over again without hesitation.
I wished I could tell those who only saw a partial solar eclipse that they were not missing anything — but I would be blatantly lying to them.
If you have the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse, accept no less than 100 percent totality — lest you be disappointed.
Chile on July 2, 2019, anyone?
Despite all of the angst I went through — many hours of traffic and pouring rain — I would do it all over again without hesitation.
I wished I could tell those who only saw a partial solar eclipse that they were not missing anything — but I would be blatantly lying to them.
If you have the opportunity to see a total solar eclipse, accept no less than 100 percent totality — lest you be disappointed.
Chile on July 2, 2019, anyone?
Aug 23, 2017, 8:07 pm
#339
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,738
Watched it on a rural farm in Cerulean (~15min west of Hopkinsville). The only thing that could have been better would be more animals - want to see their reaction! Otherwise, what a glorious day. Hardly a cloud in sight.
On the way back to Indy, delay added 30% to the drive. Thank God for Google Maps rerouting to save time.
Cat1 Marriott redemption 1.5hr from greatest duration = good deal!
Indy gets 4 whole minutes in 2024!!
On the way back to Indy, delay added 30% to the drive. Thank God for Google Maps rerouting to save time.
Cat1 Marriott redemption 1.5hr from greatest duration = good deal!
Indy gets 4 whole minutes in 2024!!
Last edited by italdesign; Aug 23, 2017 at 8:16 pm
Aug 23, 2017, 9:04 pm
#341
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,634
Aug 23, 2017, 9:14 pm
#342
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 25,000
I chose my viewing spot because it was:
- Closest to where I am based
- Conveniently located off of a major Interstate highway
- In the parking lot of a hotel property, which did not cost me anything — and that decision was literally at the last second as I drove up to it
Aug 23, 2017, 9:22 pm
#343
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MCI ** UA Plat, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,259
Aug 23, 2017, 11:10 pm
#344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,696
We left the north end of Salem at about 1025am. Rental car return time was 1204pm. The first several miles were quick, and then stop/go until just before the 5/205 split, and then it moved at full speed again. The rental car return was eerie because it was almost completely empty, with a large crew of people awaiting the onslaught.
Aug 24, 2017, 7:53 am
#345
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
We left the north end of Salem at about 1025am. Rental car return time was 1204pm. The first several miles were quick, and then stop/go until just before the 5/205 split, and then it moved at full speed again. The rental car return was eerie because it was almost completely empty, with a large crew of people awaiting the onslaught.