Eclipse Chaser

How often does it happen that a solar eclipse takes place with it's epicenter directly over your head, in broad daylight, with no clouds, practically in your own back yard, in your lifetime?  The answer is:  not very

However, that did happen Sunday evening, right here in Dixie.

I armed myself with the 'big guns' (aka dusty 8 year old camera), a cooler of water and soda, and everyone who happened to be in my house at the moment and headed for the pre-determined LaVerkin Overlook.  We pulled up to western facing perch just as the moon was beginning to transform the sun into a cheshire-cat grin.

I immediately jumped out of the car and without a clue, started taking unsuccessful photos and burning my retinas when a friendly group of eclipse chasers came to our rescue.  One man adjusted the settings on my underused camera as another fished out a filter to shoot through. Within a minute I was good to go.  Thankfully my vision and camera were spared irreversible damage, although I confess, the crescent sun seared into my skull came back into view every time I closed my eyes for hours afterwards.

People came from everywhere.  Chasing eclipses seems to be a world pastime.  Who knew?  These particular hobbyists were a nice bunch of people.  Well prepared, eager to share and intoxicated.  Tripods, lenses, filters, backpacks galore.  Camera heaven on earth.

With the family and friends outfitted in eclipse viewers, we sat back and enjoyed the show.

The spectacle was over within an hour.  It was time to load up and head out.

As we were getting ready to go, the buzz around eclipse camp was when the next solar eclipse event would be.  5 summers away with the epicenter in Casper, Wyoming.  With cheers, our neighbor enthusiasts announced, "see you there.....you bring the filters, we'll bring the beer!"

I think a new chaser was born in me...

until the next celestial juncture...

Eclipse Chaser