I don’t know what you are doing on Monday, April 8, but North and Central Texas residents are in a frenzy over the coming total solar eclipse. Since the path runs through Dallas-Ft. Worth and down to Austin, many of our small towns (mine included) will be overrun with visitors coming just for this event. I’ve been told there isn’t an empty hotel room or Airbnb for miles around the area. And residents have been warned about the increased traffic this will bring to our town. Even many schools have canceled for the day!
Apparently, this total eclipse will last longer than the one visible in the US in 2017, and there won’t be another such event in the US until 2044. Thus, all the hoopla.
But other than bracing ourselves for an onslaught of people, we’re preparing ourselves in other ways, too.
We have planned our day to stay at home.
We bought our eclipse glasses so we can look at the sun.
We RSVP’d for our neighborhood watch party.
According to sources, the partial eclipse in our area will begin at 12:23 pm with the total eclipse happening at 1:42 pm and the end of the eclipse at 3:02.
I can’t remember the last time I viewed a solar eclipse. I think it might have been elementary school because I remember making an eclipse viewer in maybe third or fourth grade. However, I now realize that must have been for a partial eclipse since a total solar eclipse hasn’t been visible in Texas since 1878!
However, I am excited to watch this event for more reasons than its historical significance. I’m excited to view this natural occurrence because, as Psalm 19:1 says, the heavens are telling of the glory of God and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Some visions of this created galaxy are so vast in beauty and power that they inspire in me a greater sense of the unfathomable bigness of God. This, I imagine, will be one of those moments.
Are you in an area to watch this eclipse? Have you ever viewed a total solar eclipse? Did it live up to the hype?
We saw a total eclipse soon after we were married at Virginia Beach. We will have a 90% eclipse here in Southbury, Connecticut on Monday and the forecast is for clear skies. This is after experiencing our first ever earthquake yesterday in our retirement condo on the fourth floor.
Oh my! Someone I know in New Jersey had posted about an earthquake. That’s crazy! I’m glad y’all will have clear weather on Monday. It’s looks like we’ll be cloudy so I don’t know if we’ll see anything at all!
We are in an area of totality, in our small town west of Indianapolis, as well, and are bracing for the onslaught of visitors and traffic (they say a million people will come into our state for viewing). My son, who lives in Dallas (after a move from Rockwall last year), will not be there for the totality event, because his alma mater, Purdue, is playing in the Final Four game and he and his fiancée are going to Phoenix to watch that, instead of the eclipse. Happy eclipse watching to you! My husband and I are scheduled for a pre-wedding trip to Dallas for Mother’s Day weekend, but I think my son has the time booked for us, or I’d suggest a chance to meet. I will wave in the Rockwall direction.
That’s a great reason for them to be out of Dallas during the eclipse! We were able to go to the Final Four a few times when Jeff did some work for the NCAA and it was amazing, but never did we have a team playing. That will be over-the-top fun!
Yes, if you are ever in the area with a bit of time, let me know! I’d love to meet up in Dallas. I’ll wave back at you on Mother’s Day weekend! 🙂