Maybe a dumb question, but is the West Coast considered a better spot to see the eclipse than places with maximum totality 2 to 2.5 minutes in other places across the country? If so, I'm wondering why that is. Thanks for any insight.
Hi, Barb - there are no dumb questions! The eclipse first hits the US just north of us on the Oregon coast. Every hotel in Oregon is full - and it's probably the same across the whole US. . There is going to be a huge crowd of unhappy people on the Oregon Coast, who paid $1500/night for a room and likely won't see the sun/moon at all.
As I'm typing this at 7:30 am, I can't see past the end of our deck.
The problem with the Coast is that, this time of year especially, there is FOG - and I mean FOGGGG- in the morning, often til noon, if not all day. Occlusive fog. It's often quite picturesque, but not if you're trying to see an eclipse.
Fog + eclipse = nothing but non-photogenic darkness.
We are going inland 6 hrs to Madras, in central oregon, where it is highly likely to be clear. More likely to be clear even further east in oregon, but I think we will be ok.
There is a wide path of maximum Totality going all the way across Oregon, often up to 2 minutes.
Also tough for those people who were expecting to observe the eclipse from the area surrounding Mt. Jefferson. A newspaper report says that the Willamette National Forest supervisor has closed about 180 sq. miles around the mountain due to danger from a new wildfire. I believe this was to be one of the best viewing areas in Oregon.
Posted by Ed Williams on August 8, 2017 at 6:35 PM
I am hearing reports that there will be so many people in some rural areas like Madras that the electrical grid is expected to go out and credit card readers will not work due to excessive cell phone/wifi traffic. Gas is expected to run out at stations, even water is expected to be difficult to obtain. Traffic in these areas is expected to be gridlocked. It is best to get there early, be fully self contained/sufficient, set up and stay put until it all clears out...
Posted by Dennis Plank on August 9, 2017 at 9:12 AM
To answer your original question, Barbara, anyplace along the path of totality that normally has good clear skies should be fine. The inland west is usually dry and has good viewing, so it seems to be getting all the hype this time (might be some marketing in there too?). Also the places further east are later local time, so it won't be as comfortable to view. South Carolina is between 2-3 pm and with daylight savings time that means the sun will be quite a bit higher than the far west where it's around 9 am.
Ed, thanks for the update - I know it will be a total madhouse.
My RV's have always been fully self-contained, and a business deduction for my photo business - since we go nowhere that i don't take photos. They are fully equipped with solar for battery charging, have a generator for electricity, microwave, and the outside electrical plugs, and the roof is set up for chairs and tripods. Recliners, big TV, satellite, electric blanket , and even an electric fireplace (which sounds ridiculous, but actually does heat fairly well. when we don't want the noisy heat pump)
Plus all the tourist spots where thousands will be are having eclipse parties, the last thing my quiet husband and I want to be anywhere near. We are definitely going a few days before, and not leaving til the day after.
Hope this works -
Sandy
Posted by Jim Gavin on August 11, 2017 at 12:11 PM
Ed, Reminds me of the hype over entering the year 2000.
Discussion
7 repliesAs I'm typing this at 7:30 am, I can't see past the end of our deck.
The problem with the Coast is that, this time of year especially, there is FOG - and I mean FOGGGG- in the morning, often til noon, if not all day. Occlusive fog. It's often quite picturesque, but not if you're trying to see an eclipse.
Fog + eclipse = nothing but non-photogenic darkness.
We are going inland 6 hrs to Madras, in central oregon, where it is highly likely to be clear. More likely to be clear even further east in oregon, but I think we will be ok.
There is a wide path of maximum Totality going all the way across Oregon, often up to 2 minutes.
Sandy
My RV's have always been fully self-contained, and a business deduction for my photo business - since we go nowhere that i don't take photos. They are fully equipped with solar for battery charging, have a generator for electricity, microwave, and the outside electrical plugs, and the roof is set up for chairs and tripods. Recliners, big TV, satellite, electric blanket , and even an electric fireplace (which sounds ridiculous, but actually does heat fairly well. when we don't want the noisy heat pump)
Plus all the tourist spots where thousands will be are having eclipse parties, the last thing my quiet husband and I want to be anywhere near. We are definitely going a few days before, and not leaving til the day after.
Hope this works -
Sandy