BNA eclipse get-together
 

It seems a number of FTers will be in the BNA area for the eclipse:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...-planning.html

there's been a bit of talk about a get-together the day before, Sunday Aug. 20.

1. anyone interested in meeting up? :)

2. any locals want to suggest a good place to meet up? :D

I'll also put in a plug for the ATL mini-DO the weekend prior:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...sh-2017-a.html

(my plans also include an overnight in CHA on the 15th)

Definitely interested! No idea where though :D

Count us in. We arrive Friday night, leave Monday evening, staying in Franklin. I cannot suggest much as this is not our part of the great state of Tennessee.

I'm also definitely interested. I probably won't be certain of my eclipse-trip schedule until a few days before, but right now I'd say that I'm pretty likely to make this.

I'm in town from early Saturday morning to early Tuesday morning - plenty of time!

I think I get in late Sunday night and leave Tuesday evening so anything would have to be after the eclipse. Or if there are any late night spots, that works too.

I'm in town Aug. 18-22. Interested depending on when/where.

Some of us get in early and leave early (that's me). Some of us get in late and leave late. To accommodate all, I wonder if we shouldn't get together for the event itself. Maybe find a restaurant/bar under the path and head out to the parking lot for the few minutes it will be taking place. If it's raining, we can stay inside and raise a toast to the invisible sun.

If you're there for the eclipse, you're there for the eclipse, meaning you'll be looking to move around a bit that day based on the clouds. Nashville is not directly in the center of totality- Gallatin is - and that's where I'll be. You'll also be out of the city to get away from light pollution and see more stars. Anyway, that's my long answer to the above. :-)

I'm part of a group thing going to Hopkinsville, KY for the actual eclipse, so for me it'd be better to meet up before.

Any tips on how/where to get the best view of the eclipse? New to the area, thinking rent a car and go to a state park or something?

I'm not familiar with that area either. It's going to be largely dependent on how things look day of, meaning weather and traffic. The whole eclipse, from start to finish, takes a couple of hours. I'm probably going to leave fairy early and take whatever road off I need too to be directly in the center of totality. Gallatin is in the center, but if that's jammed or under clouds, I'll try to get wherever is in the center. And a parking lot works. There are quite a few good resources. There are solar eclipse timer apps that help with the phases and locating the center.
This video is good for a basic how to watch/what to look for:

Very cool video, thank you for that! Will definitely be looking for the shadow bands and other interesting phenomena!

Have done some Googling/Yelping, so if only for the sake of having a concrete suggestion, I'll pitch a meetup at Jackalope Brewing around 4pm on Sunday 8/20:

https://goo.gl/maps/a62jNmw62m32

http://jackalopebrew.com/visiting-the-brewery/

They're co-located with a coffee shop and have non-alcoholic options, there may be food trucks, and there are what seem like good dining options nearby.

I would be in favor of a short visit at the very least. Mrs B is the problem as she only drinks wine. We would probably try sneaking in a bottle. I do that at a local brewery taproom. If that works, we'll stay longer. Either way, dinner at a nearby establishment after a couple drinks sounds good. Count us in.

Great, count me in!

I added a wikipost... if people also want to add ideas for meeting up for the actual eclipse and/or after, feel free!

Hey Y'all!

Sunday sounds good.

I would like to join, but my hotel is in Evansville and it's a long drive to Nashville and back in a day. Let's see how it goes.

Hey. Shouldn't you be offering to host? :D

We're staying in Franklin. One of my cousins used to live in Arrington and we stayed in Franklin last time we visited. Mrs BamaVol liked it so much she decided we should stay there eclipse weekend instead of Nashville. You're welcome to meet us for a drink in Franklin sometime before the do, Saturday maybe?

Now the real challenge. This would actually be my 2nd trip to TN. With a Knights Inn in BNA going for $800 (Literally)

Where do we stay?

I caught an AirBnB a few months ago. Near the airport, about $60/night, might be worth checking to see if there's any availability still on AirBnB or VRBO if you ever use those

I'll be there. I plan on going to the goodlettsville watching party at the park. Would love to meet up with anyone.

Ill be driving in early Monday morning and leaving Monday night from Memphis.

where in gallatin are you going to be? I was wrong and I think we are going to be at the gallitin public viewing party as well

That's where I'm going too. Any idea where to watch the event yet?

I'm not sure where we're going yet, but it's an organized group event in affiliation with Sky & Telescope so I feel fairly safe in just relying on whatever they select :)

I'll be in Nashville proper, near Centennial Park and would be interested in coming. Not planning to rent a car, so I'll be limited by city bus/walking.

wg

I live in the metro Nashville area, so would like to help any who need answers.
Just moved to Franklin, and while it is idyllic here, it is NOT in the direct path of the eclipse itself. I work in Nashville at a university which is providing access to faculty/staff to enjoy some great viewing on campus that day-large screen projection of the eclipse from NASA and a weather balloon transmission above the clouds if weather does not cooperate. Sorry I can't divulge the location as it will only be available to employees, faculty and staff.
However, you can likely find some local high school(both public and private) athletic stadiums that may allow you to sit there in an open space to enjoy the view.
Hotels are very booked and it may be hard to find availability much less at a decent price. Cast a bit wider net for lodging and then drive or Uber in to Nashville itself for viewing. Many of the downtown Nashville restaurants with rooftop access are charging around $200 for a hot, humid crowded "spot" on the roof.
Some affordable/free options are to go to the www.visitmusiccity.com website! Tons of both free and pay options to enjoy the eclipse. And yes, while we do not have the longest time of totality of the eclipse, downtown Nashville,Hendersonville,Gallatin DO have a respectable amount of total eclipse time.
So, ask away or PM me.
Have a family wedding today so I may not reply today!

Thanks for the link. As a result, I am thinking we may watch from the zoo.

sweetsleep: I was thinking of hanging out to see it in Centennial Park. From my reading of that website, all the metro parks will be open.

wg

I'll be in Hopkinsville too, but I haven't found an exact spot yet... let me know where y'all pick. :)

Yes the metro parks will be open for sure.
Centennial Park is fairly large, but parking will be limited.

August is very hot and humid even on a good day so consider bringing a back pack or cooler with plenty of water, a battery operated fan of some sort, a folding chair or blanket to sit down on and pack a picnic lunch of some sort as food options will be fairly limited in and around the parks. Bathrooms are not easy to find and may not be in great condition either.

Of course don't forget your viewing glasses.

I can try to contact my employer tomorrow to see if they will permit the public to enter the campus viewing area or not as I hope to bring some of my family with me.
The Opry Mills outlet mall and Gaylord Opryland have huge open parking areas adjacent to each other and lots of places to eat plus find a toilet as well as to take a break from the heat but I would arrive super early if that is your plan as traffic will be very heavy-it is also fairly close to BNA.

Parking is usually free at the mall but not at the resort.

I had not thought about the zoo(it's not a very good zoo in my opinion) and there may be a lot of kids and home schoolers going there as well as at the Adventure Science Center and Planetarium-I would avoid that location like the plague even though there is a great view of downtown Nashville from that area.

I won't have a car but will walk from a nearby hotel. I had figured on bringing a frozen bottle of water so it will melt slowly and stay cold, a rain poncho to sit on, and yes, viewing glasses.

How early do you think I'll need to arrive given that I'm not going to need parking space?

wg

I'm uncertain as yet. My concern is weather so I probably won't know for sure until the night before or morning of. There are a couple of parks in Gallatin that have turned it into a festival with bands and food vendors and whatnot. I think they want people to have a good time no matter what, but I'm more interested in getting clear skies. Fingers crossed!

i got free tickets to one of the parks events. Do they not have clear views?

Help for WendyG
 

It is difficult to recommend a time to get to Centennial Park. Do you mind telling me where you are staying in proximity to the park?

I have been refused access to the excellent viewing at Vanderbilt University because I work at the lowly Medical Center and am faculty there with an appointment in the School of Medicine at VU!!
Got the unpleasant email from the Provost Office this morning. Just unbelievably rude!!I have been there for over 14 years!!

So, for all others, do not attempt to access Vanderbilt University as I can assure you that all will be turned away. It is in a GREAT viewing location. Still smarting over that unpleasant email I got earlier today.

If you are indeed from the UK you will find Nashville unpleasantly hot and humid in August. There are many restaurants(mostly chain US restaurants in a short walking distance from Centennial Park.
If you are at either the Marriott Vanderbilt, the Holiday Inn or a few other newer venues you should be fine gaining access to bathrooms!! I recommend bringing a battery powered fan, parasol for sure!! Not a lot of trees for cover in the park compared to the UK so if you want shade you need to arrive early?!

I am awaiting family members from Nashville,Memphis and Chattanooga to let me know what they want to do. I wish to get a ticket at the Grand Ole Opry Plaza Party myself. Cost is $44 US-includes a backstage tour of the Opry, a picnic lunch, poster,solar glasses and lots of live music. Parking is free at the Opry Mills Mall but traffic will be very heavy. It is fairly close to the airport though. I think that is probably one of the more fun places to view as the parking lot is HUGE!!
Hope this helps.

MTSU
 

MTSU is a downtown university that could be an option for people.
I checked their website and there will be viewing options.
MTSU is Middle Tennessee State University.
i encourage any one at all interested to contact that college to see if access will be available for the public.
Belmont University is just a couple of blocks from Vanderbilt but I did not see any special activities there for eclipse day.
Hope this is helpful

Help for WendyG
 

It is difficult to recommend a time to get to Centennial Park. Do you mind telling me where you are staying in proximity to the park?

I have been refused access to the excellent viewing at Vanderbilt University because I work at the lowly Medical Center and am faculty there with an appointment in the School of Medicine at VU!!
Got the unpleasant email from the Provost Office this morning. Just unbelievably rude!!I have been there for over 14 years!!

So, for all others, do not attempt to access Vanderbilt University as I can assure you that all will be turned away. It is in a GREAT viewing location. Still smarting over that unpleasant email I got earlier today.

If you are indeed from the UK you will find Nashville unpleasantly hot and humid in August. There are many restaurants(mostly chain US restaurants in a short walking distance from Centennial Park.
If you are at either the Marriott Vanderbilt, the Holiday Inn or a few other newer venues you should be fine gaining access to bathrooms!! I recommend bringing a battery powered fan, parasol for sure!! Not a lot of trees for cover in the park compared to the UK so if you want shade you need to arrive early?!

I am awaiting family members from Nashville,Memphis and Chattanooga to let me know what they want to do. I wish to get a ticket at the Grand Ole Opry Plaza Party myself. Cost is $44 US-includes a backstage tour of the Opry, a picnic lunch, poster,solar glasses and lots of live music. Parking is free at the Opry Mills Mall but traffic will be very heavy. It is fairly close to the airport though. I think that is probably one of the more fun places to view as the parking lot is HUGE!!
Hope this helps.

sweetsleep: I live in the UK but am American. I know about hot and humid! My hotel is situated about a half-mile from Centennial Park. I'll be in town early enough to scope out the park the day before. I take your point about trees; I was planning on a hat rather than a parasol and a frozen bottle of water rather than a fan. I am absolutely determined not to drive anywhere!

Sorry you've been turned away from Vanderbilt. I used to know someone who taught there, I think, but they've long since moved away.

wg