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Sunday, August 20, 2017

Driving to Georgia

We were able to get up and out by 7:20.  Traffic was light(ish) and weather was clear and pleasant.



There was only one spot of truly stop and start, and we were largely able to maintain good speed.  We were amused to see the electric signs that are usually used for amber alerts or traffic alerts had a different message, warning us that during the eclipse we were not to park on the shoulders or to stop at all except for emergencies.  (I wonder if that will work. . . )




During the last hour of the trip we were in the area that will experience the total eclipse.  There were lots of home-made signs offering eclipse parking or camping (no facilities) for $20.

With brief stops to stretch or have lunch or a snack, we arrived at our AirBnB, truly exhausted, at 4:30.  Long day.

The cabin is lovely.  The site is in the mountains, and it is about impossible to get here.  Very winding one-lane roads for miles on the sides of hills.  A little scary at the end of a tiring day.

There is a large back deck with hot-tub and rocking chairs.  It faces south southwest, and photos may be better in the morning. (The pic was also taken with an ancient iPad. . . )


I saw a newt on the porch and an eight-spotted forrester, but was too slow with the camera.
(In 2008, we were introduced to the 8 spotted forrester:  http://muddleaged.com/8spottedforester.html.  Love the hairy knees.)

Tomorrow the eclipse begins at 1:07, is maximum from 2:36-2:39, and ends at 4:02.

Start of partial eclipse (C1) : 17:07:59.1 1:07
Start of total eclipse (C2) :  18:36:49.4 2:36:49
Maximum eclipse (MAX) :  18:38:07.0
End of total eclipse (C3) :  18:39:24.5 2:39:24
End of partial eclipse (C4) :  20:02:17.9 4:02

I find the weather forecast graph for eclipse day fascinating
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.95&lon=-83.7584&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical
Notice the temperature drop around 3PM.  Looks like about 6 degree drop in temperature and a slight increase in wind from about 2-3MPH to 5MPH - not a huge difference, so we'll see if we notice it.



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