August 21, 2017 Solar Eclipse - any tips

This site is excellent; it shows the path of totality in each state in which the eclipse will be visible.

https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/best-places-to-view/

donn0128 wrote:
Come to central or eastern Oregon. SE Oregon has some really wide open spaces that should offer great vistas.

This is good advice but if folks have not already made reservations in state or national parks, or private campgrounds or RV parks, they will find that most campgrounds along the path of totality are sold out.

Camping sites in Oregon State Parks, along the path of totality, were sold out within an hour of becoming available. In like manner, most (if not all) private campgrounds and RV Parks are also sold out with some having waiting lists available to fill possible cancellations.

We're avid amateur astronomers and started working on this months ago. Still, and for the time being, we've settled for a site in an RV park at the fairgrounds in Corvallis, OR where we have family. We'd rather be on the coast and are on the waiting list for an RV resort in Lincoln City. (started at #42 on the waiting list and as of yesterday, 2/7, had moved to #37.)

There are several good websites with detailed zoomable maps of the path of totality. We are looking mostly at Eastern Oregon (clear sky but hot), Idaho, and Wyoming. The latter two have some afternoon clouds during summer days, but they also have some high altitude places that are in the path of totality.

Jackson Hole will be very crowded, along with the Sawtooths in Idaho.

We will probably be boondocking during that time, and we plan to hike to a remote peak somewhere so we can get a good view. Totality lasts only about two minutes, and that is the only time that you can look right at the sun safely.

Some folks are planning to be on highways that run east and west, so that they can chase clear sky during the minutes before the eclipse. I doubt we will do that -- too stressful. I'd rather sit on a mountain-top and wait and hope -- as with boondocking, the goal is to be far away from anyone else!

Well the number one tip is to protect your eyes by using the right eye protection.

Eye Protection

Amazon

Other than that all you need to do is find a spot in the total eclipse zone and hope for clear skies.

The last time I was near a total eclipse zone, we traveled a couple of hundred mile and the sky was heavily overcast. It got dark and then it got light and that was it. Serious letdown.

Come to central or eastern Oregon. SE Oregon has some really wide open spaces that should offer great vistas.