Eclipsed

We awoke to fog today, but as soon as it dissipated, the sky was a beautiful shade of blue, with no clouds in sight. It was a bit different from the forecast of 20-40% clouds, but no one was complaining. We didn't complain, either, about the lack of wind, or the temperatures in the upper seventies. After all the hype, the big day had finally arrived. It promised to be a perfect day for an eclipse.

Getting ready

I remember, years ago, when I was still in grade school, viewing a partial eclipse through a pinhole in a shoe box. I was not impressed. I couldn't help but wonder if our new eclipse glasses would be any better.

  

Let me just say that the eclipse glasses were wonderful! After taking the first look through his eclipse glasses, Levi declared that the sun looked just like a cookie with a bite taken out of it. Our view of each stage of the eclipse was crisp and clear. Even the little ones could see what was happening, although they probably didn't completely understand the phenomenon they got to witness.

Lying on the tramp to view the partial eclipse was great,
until Evie started to jump.

Erin brought a pair of eclipse binoculars, borrowed from the physics department of the college where she teaches. They worked well, and showed a larger view of the eclipse, but nearly everyone agreed that our cheap, cardboard eclipse glasses worked almost as well.


  

That minute and a half of totality, when we could look directly at the sun, took us by surprise. Oh, it arrived right on schedule, at 11:48 a.m. MDT, but none of us were expecting it to be so amazing. The sun itself, with the moon blocking its light, was wondrously awe-inspiring. The blue sky darkened to dusk, a pink and purple "sunset" appeared all around the horizon, and the temperature dropped several degrees.

No eclipse glasses needed during a total eclipse


The roosters were crowing, but Meagan assured us that they like to crow all day long, every day. A cool breeze started to waft lightly through the trees, and the crickets chirped loudly. Everyone stopped talking and just sat there in Meagan's back yard, staring at the sky, then at each other, and back to the sky.

  

Then, almost before we knew it, the sun's light reappeared, and we marveled at how much light the sun produced when even 98% of it was still blocked by the moon. We all agreed: there is no comparison between a partial eclipse and a total eclipse. A partial eclipse is interesting, but a total eclipse is mind-boggling. After a minute and a half, we understood why ancient civilizations were terrified. We understood why some people, even now, might wonder if the world is coming to an end.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 
Psalm 19:1

The kids had enjoyed a full morning of outdoor play, with a few minutes, now and then, of stopping to safely view the eclipse. But once the sun reappeared, everyone was hungry. We enjoyed our eclipse feast together.

    

The eclipse cupcakes were a hit.

Then, Bill went back to work and Erin drove back to Cheyenne, with bumper-to-bumper traffic all the way to Kimball. Victoria and Levi and I headed home so Meagan could get the little ones settled down for much-needed naps.

Another once in a lifetime event: bumper-to-bumper traffic on the bypass

Headed back into Gering after a wonderful day
Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. 
Psalm 36:5




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