This was supposed to be an easy eclipse to watch. I have family in San Antonio and it would only be a short drive to the centre of the path of totality from where we were staying.
What a rollercoaster of emotions! It started out several days before when the forecasts started showing clouds over much of Texas on Eclipse day. I started obsessing over cloud coverage maps and models trying to find the spot with the best chances of clear skies.
It wasn’t looking good over much of the state, but north-east of Dallas was looking better than the rest of the state, so on Sunday I made a last minute decision to drive from Huston (we had already driven from San Antonio to Huston to spend the weekend visiting family) to Dallas. We stayed in a shitty motel on the outskirts of town, that my wife said smelled of stale cigarettes and broken dreams.
At 5 am on Eclipse day we started driving to Sulphur Spring (a lovely town despite the name). It was clear skies until about 10 minutes before we arrived when thick clouds rolled in.
So we kept driving into Oklahoma and then Arkansas. Stoping in small towns and chatting with other Eclipse chasers who were also desperately trying to find clear skies. Thankfully 10 month old Adira was an absolute trooper and barely complained about the many hours being confined to a car seat.
About 15 Minutes before first contact we arrived in Mena Arkansas and the skies were clearing! We setup in a small park under a tree and got ready for the celestial wonder about to unfold.
Shortly before the Eclipse the tree’s shadow projected the crescent shaped sun onto a white sheet we had laid out
Then totality hit
And it was breathtaking. Darkness came suddenly, The sun’s corona was brilliant. I was overwhelmed with emotions.
I was incredibly lucky to have been able to see this eclipse, it was only possible due to a very understanding wife, willing to follow me across 3 states with our 10 month old daughter.
EDIT: Here are some more pictures of the sun’s corona during totality
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