Where to watch eclipse
I was planning on going up to Rexburg ID, but now I'm worried about the crowds. Initially I was thinking the only people going there would be from Utah so it couldn't be that bad, but now I realize that it might be the preferred location for everyone from Las Vegas, Southern California, and maybe Arizona. I was thinking smaller places like Mackay ID or Riverton WY, but they won't have much in the way of facilities, so it wouldn't take much to overwhelm them. Thoughts?
I think that a lot of the media has crossed over into scaremonger mode. That seems to be what they think makes an interesting story right now. Certainly there will be mega traffic and big crowds in most areas. I really don't think you need to change your preferred observing site just yet. Rexburg has been planning on this for a while, so I think they will be better prepared than a lot of the really small towns. But, when you go to travel, I would check the following traffic info sources: Idaho: https://hb.511.idaho.gov Wyoming: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/news_info/road-- travel-information.html While in either state I believe you can also call 511 for traffic info. Idaho will be setting up port-a-potties along I-15 and they are going to stop freeway construction for a few days around the eclipse. I've been suggesting to people in Cache Valley (which are traveling the day of) that they leave around 3am. So if you are in the SLC region - you will want to set out as early as possible. I suspect that you will find fairly large crowds no matter where you go. But it will be worth it! Clear skies, Dale. On Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 9:54 AM, Craig Smith <cs2560@gmail.com> wrote:
I was planning on going up to Rexburg ID, but now I'm worried about the crowds. Initially I was thinking the only people going there would be from Utah so it couldn't be that bad, but now I realize that it might be the preferred location for everyone from Las Vegas, Southern California, and maybe Arizona.
I was thinking smaller places like Mackay ID or Riverton WY, but they won't have much in the way of facilities, so it wouldn't take much to overwhelm them.
Thoughts? _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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Thanks! Yes, I definitely plan to leave in the middle of the night. I was going to spend the whole weekend up there but canceled when my wife couldn't go. Now she can go so I'm a little more concerned about facilities. I've been waiting my whole life for one of these and have thought about it constantly for the past 5 years ago, and then suddenly I started to feel like I blew it. Whenever I searched for what Rexburg was planning all I got were private places that wanted ridiculous prices for a spot. But now I found the city's site, and they have a list of public viewing spaces as well as camping spots that can be reserved for a more reasonable fee than the private spots. I also found that BYU Idaho is doing something, and was able to reserve a spot there for free. So I feel much better now! I'm sure it will be a nightmare driving home so plan to just wait it out a bit. Craig On Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 10:23 AM, Dale Hooper <dchooper5@gmail.com> wrote:
I think that a lot of the media has crossed over into scaremonger mode. That seems to be what they think makes an interesting story right now. Certainly there will be mega traffic and big crowds in most areas. I really don't think you need to change your preferred observing site just yet. Rexburg has been planning on this for a while, so I think they will be better prepared than a lot of the really small towns.
But, when you go to travel, I would check the following traffic info sources:
Idaho: https://hb.511.idaho.gov Wyoming: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/news_info/road-- travel-information.html
While in either state I believe you can also call 511 for traffic info.
Idaho will be setting up port-a-potties along I-15 and they are going to stop freeway construction for a few days around the eclipse. I've been suggesting to people in Cache Valley (which are traveling the day of) that they leave around 3am. So if you are in the SLC region - you will want to set out as early as possible.
I suspect that you will find fairly large crowds no matter where you go. But it will be worth it!
Clear skies, Dale.
On Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 9:54 AM, Craig Smith <cs2560@gmail.com> wrote:
I was planning on going up to Rexburg ID, but now I'm worried about the crowds. Initially I was thinking the only people going there would be from Utah so it couldn't be that bad, but now I realize that it might be the preferred location for everyone from Las Vegas, Southern California, and maybe Arizona.
I was thinking smaller places like Mackay ID or Riverton WY, but they won't have much in the way of facilities, so it wouldn't take much to overwhelm them.
Thoughts? _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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If anything happens with the traffic for those that are headed up there. It looks like if you can get to at least Shelley you will get to experience the eclipse for a minute. I wouldn't want to end up short of there because I think it will take a minute to see all of the cool things to see. Thanks, David Dunn -----Original Message----- From: Utah-Astronomy [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Craig Smith Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 12:34 PM To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Where to watch eclipse *** External Email *** Thanks! Yes, I definitely plan to leave in the middle of the night. I was going to spend the whole weekend up there but canceled when my wife couldn't go. Now she can go so I'm a little more concerned about facilities. I've been waiting my whole life for one of these and have thought about it constantly for the past 5 years ago, and then suddenly I started to feel like I blew it. Whenever I searched for what Rexburg was planning all I got were private places that wanted ridiculous prices for a spot. But now I found the city's site, and they have a list of public viewing spaces as well as camping spots that can be reserved for a more reasonable fee than the private spots. I also found that BYU Idaho is doing something, and was able to reserve a spot there for free. So I feel much better now! I'm sure it will be a nightmare driving home so plan to just wait it out a bit. Craig On Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 10:23 AM, Dale Hooper <dchooper5@gmail.com> wrote:
I think that a lot of the media has crossed over into scaremonger mode. That seems to be what they think makes an interesting story right now. Certainly there will be mega traffic and big crowds in most areas. I really don't think you need to change your preferred observing site just yet. Rexburg has been planning on this for a while, so I think they will be better prepared than a lot of the really small towns.
But, when you go to travel, I would check the following traffic info sources:
Idaho: https://hb.511.idaho.gov Wyoming: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/news_info/road-- travel-information.html
While in either state I believe you can also call 511 for traffic info.
Idaho will be setting up port-a-potties along I-15 and they are going to stop freeway construction for a few days around the eclipse. I've been suggesting to people in Cache Valley (which are traveling the day of) that they leave around 3am. So if you are in the SLC region - you will want to set out as early as possible.
I suspect that you will find fairly large crowds no matter where you go. But it will be worth it!
Clear skies, Dale.
On Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 9:54 AM, Craig Smith <cs2560@gmail.com> wrote:
I was planning on going up to Rexburg ID, but now I'm worried about the crowds. Initially I was thinking the only people going there would be from Utah so it couldn't be that bad, but now I realize that it might be the preferred location for everyone from Las Vegas, Southern California, and maybe Arizona.
I was thinking smaller places like Mackay ID or Riverton WY, but they won't have much in the way of facilities, so it wouldn't take much to overwhelm them.
Thoughts? _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options". Information contained in this email, including attachments, is intended only for the recipient and may contain confidential information. If you received this email in error, please contact the sender, and delete the email from your system.
Ok David. Give us your list of "cool things to see". I want to be sure there isn't anything I haven't thought of. I am planning on being in Rigby with a white light solar scope. Admittedly I am not very experienced with solar astronomy. I usually find it a bit boring. On Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 12:53 PM Dunn, David <David.Dunn@supervalu.com> wrote:
If anything happens with the traffic for those that are headed up there. It looks like if you can get to at least Shelley you will get to experience the eclipse for a minute. I wouldn't want to end up short of there because I think it will take a minute to see all of the cool things to see.
Thanks, David Dunn
-----Original Message----- From: Utah-Astronomy [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Craig Smith Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 12:34 PM To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Where to watch eclipse
*** External Email ***
Thanks! Yes, I definitely plan to leave in the middle of the night. I was going to spend the whole weekend up there but canceled when my wife couldn't go. Now she can go so I'm a little more concerned about facilities. I've been waiting my whole life for one of these and have thought about it constantly for the past 5 years ago, and then suddenly I started to feel like I blew it.
Whenever I searched for what Rexburg was planning all I got were private places that wanted ridiculous prices for a spot. But now I found the city's site, and they have a list of public viewing spaces as well as camping spots that can be reserved for a more reasonable fee than the private spots. I also found that BYU Idaho is doing something, and was able to reserve a spot there for free. So I feel much better now!
I'm sure it will be a nightmare driving home so plan to just wait it out a bit.
Craig
On Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 10:23 AM, Dale Hooper <dchooper5@gmail.com> wrote:
I think that a lot of the media has crossed over into scaremonger mode. That seems to be what they think makes an interesting story right now. Certainly there will be mega traffic and big crowds in most areas. I really don't think you need to change your preferred observing site just yet. Rexburg has been planning on this for a while, so I think they will be better prepared than a lot of the really small towns.
But, when you go to travel, I would check the following traffic info sources:
Idaho: https://hb.511.idaho.gov Wyoming: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/news_info/road-- travel-information.html
While in either state I believe you can also call 511 for traffic info.
Idaho will be setting up port-a-potties along I-15 and they are going to stop freeway construction for a few days around the eclipse. I've been suggesting to people in Cache Valley (which are traveling the day of) that they leave around 3am. So if you are in the SLC region - you will want to set out as early as possible.
I suspect that you will find fairly large crowds no matter where you go. But it will be worth it!
Clear skies, Dale.
On Fri, Aug 11, 2017 at 9:54 AM, Craig Smith <cs2560@gmail.com> wrote:
I was planning on going up to Rexburg ID, but now I'm worried about the crowds. Initially I was thinking the only people going there would be from Utah so it couldn't be that bad, but now I realize that it might be the preferred location for everyone from Las Vegas, Southern California, and maybe Arizona.
I was thinking smaller places like Mackay ID or Riverton WY, but they won't have much in the way of facilities, so it wouldn't take much to overwhelm them.
Thoughts? _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
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If you can go early (at least a day before) and come back, I imagine it would be all right. You might need to camp out, because I think motels have been fully booked for months. Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 11, 2017, at 9:54 AM, Craig Smith <cs2560@gmail.com> wrote:
I was planning on going up to Rexburg ID, but now I'm worried about the crowds. Initially I was thinking the only people going there would be from Utah so it couldn't be that bad, but now I realize that it might be the preferred location for everyone from Las Vegas, Southern California, and maybe Arizona.
I was thinking smaller places like Mackay ID or Riverton WY, but they won't have much in the way of facilities, so it wouldn't take much to overwhelm them.
Thoughts? _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy
Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com
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To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
participants (5)
-
Craig Smith -
Dale Hooper -
Dunn, David -
Joe Bauman -
Joel Stucki