David's right. If you've never seen an eclipse, go out of your way to see one. I've seen two.
Even though understood what was going on with the sun and moon it still struck a chord buried deeply in my genes. Knowing what's happening took away the fear our ancestors must have felt but it in no way takes away the true sense of awe I experienced.
The word "awe" was coined to describe that experience. Until I experienced an eclipse, I didn't know what "awe" means.
We saw the 2017 eclipse in Douglas WY after driving for hours to find the clearest sky. The black hole surrounded by the ring of light was shocking. It looked like the eye of God reminding us that He had designed all this; for us! I remember reading that the odds of a planet like ours with just the right size moon, at just the perfect distance from the sun is so great, that perhaps no other planet in our galaxy has that spectacularly special arrangement. You said it was spiritual. That is an understatement.
Thank you. Your writing invoked in me some of what you were all feeling. That's what keeps us living a good life, the precious gift from the universe - the true sense of AWE.
I remember viewing a partial eclipse as seen in San Francisco years ago. What stuck me as strange was the birds got so quiet. I figured they were smarter than me and understood it better.
Perhaps like you they were in awe of the spectacle.
What a fantastic story, David! Had to be a mind-boggling experience, and the fact that you got not one, not two, but THREE separate events… with your son… so cool!
Delighted with how you captured the moment. We never got to speak but I was with a set of friends who enjoyed the experience with you on the boat. To say this was a once in a lifetime experience barely captures it. I am thankful for your meaningful description ... & loved the video clip. Thank you!
I had the distinct pleasure of watching the 2024 solar eclipse from Ben & Jerry's parking lot, up in Vermont. I cannot begin to describe the awesomeness of that experience (in the pre-colloquial sense).
Thank you, David, for so elegantly putting the eclipse experience onto words. People ask me " how was the eclipse" and I say one word; AWE. Now I'll say AWE, then forward them your post! Thanks too for sharing your photos. The time lapse is so cool.
Great piece! I'm 77 and have seen one clear shooting star and haven't seen a total eclipse. I think I'm going to need to try for the next one. You inspired me.
Thanks for this David. I was fortunate to join my brother and his family in Temple, Texas for the April 2024 Total Eclipse. In a populated area, the eery thing that happened with the totality is that the headlights of cars came on! While I can't upload pics here, I got my eclipse glasses from the Planetary Society, so nice to see the bow tied Bill Nye staring back at me. We traveled to Austin, TX to escape the more cloudy northeast and midatlantic where we live. The day in Temple had some clouds, but they didn't get in the way of the totality. Another virtue of this location was an incredible BBQ joint called Miller's Smokehouse in Belton. So after the eclipse, we had a delicious Tailgate BBQ meal! Best, your pal Jonathan Bernstein
Actually, that's really the best way to describe an eclipse. I was supposed to see my first way back in 1970, but we were clouded out. In 1991, I witnessed a good partial, and then in 2017 was supposed to travel to North Carolina to see that eclipse - family emergency prevented that.
I only saw my first in April of 2024, and you are right. Words fail.
Similar story for me. When I was 12 I was so excited to see the 1970 eclipse in Savannah, GA but there was a heavy overcast and we only got the briefest glimpse of the sun. Experienced a partial eclipse here and there but finally saw the real thing in Carbondale, IL in 2017 and then again in Indianapolis, IN in 2024. Breath-taking. Those are two experiences that I'll never forget and would absolutely love to see more.
Of course reading this can’t compare to what you and Jeffrey experienced, but it allowed me to sit quietly and immerse myself in your description of this incredible journey. Definitely a moment you both will always treasure
David's right. If you've never seen an eclipse, go out of your way to see one. I've seen two.
Even though understood what was going on with the sun and moon it still struck a chord buried deeply in my genes. Knowing what's happening took away the fear our ancestors must have felt but it in no way takes away the true sense of awe I experienced.
The word "awe" was coined to describe that experience. Until I experienced an eclipse, I didn't know what "awe" means.
Wow! Thanks for taking us there with your amazing description of the experience!
We saw the 2017 eclipse in Douglas WY after driving for hours to find the clearest sky. The black hole surrounded by the ring of light was shocking. It looked like the eye of God reminding us that He had designed all this; for us! I remember reading that the odds of a planet like ours with just the right size moon, at just the perfect distance from the sun is so great, that perhaps no other planet in our galaxy has that spectacularly special arrangement. You said it was spiritual. That is an understatement.
Thank you. Your writing invoked in me some of what you were all feeling. That's what keeps us living a good life, the precious gift from the universe - the true sense of AWE.
You are so kind, Elizabeth. Thank you!
I remember viewing a partial eclipse as seen in San Francisco years ago. What stuck me as strange was the birds got so quiet. I figured they were smarter than me and understood it better.
Perhaps like you they were in awe of the spectacle.
Cheers, kkb
What a fantastic story, David! Had to be a mind-boggling experience, and the fact that you got not one, not two, but THREE separate events… with your son… so cool!
We won't soon forget this trip, that's for sure! :)
Delighted with how you captured the moment. We never got to speak but I was with a set of friends who enjoyed the experience with you on the boat. To say this was a once in a lifetime experience barely captures it. I am thankful for your meaningful description ... & loved the video clip. Thank you!
Oh HELLO, fellow traveler! Sorry we didn't get a chance to hang out--but I'm happy just knowing you were there for that night!
I had the distinct pleasure of watching the 2024 solar eclipse from Ben & Jerry's parking lot, up in Vermont. I cannot begin to describe the awesomeness of that experience (in the pre-colloquial sense).
Thank you, David, for so elegantly putting the eclipse experience onto words. People ask me " how was the eclipse" and I say one word; AWE. Now I'll say AWE, then forward them your post! Thanks too for sharing your photos. The time lapse is so cool.
Great piece! I'm 77 and have seen one clear shooting star and haven't seen a total eclipse. I think I'm going to need to try for the next one. You inspired me.
Thanks for this David. I was fortunate to join my brother and his family in Temple, Texas for the April 2024 Total Eclipse. In a populated area, the eery thing that happened with the totality is that the headlights of cars came on! While I can't upload pics here, I got my eclipse glasses from the Planetary Society, so nice to see the bow tied Bill Nye staring back at me. We traveled to Austin, TX to escape the more cloudy northeast and midatlantic where we live. The day in Temple had some clouds, but they didn't get in the way of the totality. Another virtue of this location was an incredible BBQ joint called Miller's Smokehouse in Belton. So after the eclipse, we had a delicious Tailgate BBQ meal! Best, your pal Jonathan Bernstein
Poetic.
Actually, that's really the best way to describe an eclipse. I was supposed to see my first way back in 1970, but we were clouded out. In 1991, I witnessed a good partial, and then in 2017 was supposed to travel to North Carolina to see that eclipse - family emergency prevented that.
I only saw my first in April of 2024, and you are right. Words fail.
Similar story for me. When I was 12 I was so excited to see the 1970 eclipse in Savannah, GA but there was a heavy overcast and we only got the briefest glimpse of the sun. Experienced a partial eclipse here and there but finally saw the real thing in Carbondale, IL in 2017 and then again in Indianapolis, IN in 2024. Breath-taking. Those are two experiences that I'll never forget and would absolutely love to see more.
What a beautiful tribute
Thanks for sharing. You are one fortunate dude.
Of course reading this can’t compare to what you and Jeffrey experienced, but it allowed me to sit quietly and immerse myself in your description of this incredible journey. Definitely a moment you both will always treasure
Thanks for giving words to this amazing experience.