Planes, Trains and Automobiles... Chasing The total Solar Eclipse

Months ago, we bought tickets to Dallas, TX to see the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Back in 2017, we experienced our first total eclipse parked in an alfalfa field in western Nebraska and were so impressed, we decided, if there was another eclipse in the U.S., we would definitely try to be there. Well, we survived long enough for this month’s event and made good on our intentions. 

Our son, Terall, from Seminole, FL had never seen a total solar eclipse, so we decided to get him hooked this time around. So, at 3:00 AM, we drove to Tampa International Airport from his house in Seminole for our 6:00 AM flight to Dallas. We carried no luggage and stayed only long enough to witness the eclipse. We returned 11 hours later. As we flew across the Gulf, the low clouds were not encouraging. When we landed, there was still no indication that the overcast sky was going to clear up but when tickets are bought months in advance, we didn’t have a plan “B”. 

After the eclipse we saw in Nebraska, the roads there, even the interstate, became a parking lot for miles and miles. Since we weren’t familiar with Dallas, we were hesitant to leave Love Field airport to find a close park for fear we would be caught in a traffic jam and miss our return flight. We did check on Uber and Lift transportation, but their prices doubled the few hours before the eclipse. As a result, with the overcast skies, our expectations were low, so we decided to find a spot within walking distance on the airport grounds. 

Terall, Kim and Les Beary

 

We explored the parking areas but decided the automatic lights would turn on and spoil the anticipated darkness. Then, after an exhaustive Google Earth search, we located a grassy area that was not lighted and chose this as the cloud cover began to break up. In all, we walked several miles in our explorations and discovered Love Field is a big airport and not very pedestrian friendly. 

Following an airport lunch, we hustled to this grassy field as other eclipse fans began to assemble. To our surprise, the clouds parted, and we were left with partly cloudy skies under a bright sun. We spread our windbreakers on the ground, put on our solar glasses and laid back to enjoy the show. 

Starting with a slight divot in the lower right part of the sun, the moon crept slowly across the solar disc as it progressed to totality. The sun became dimmer, and colors around us were muted. The temperature dropped about 5-10 degrees. Some were asking is this all there is, but in a split second, everything went dark. It was like someone flipped the off switch on the sun. Clouds kept drifting across the sun but right at the time of totality the clouds parted! The parking area lights came on and a few stars were visible past the “ring of fire” that everyone wanted to see. We were able to take off our glasses at that point and fully experience this incredible phenomenon. Those of us who had flown in just for the day from all over the country gathered on this little piece of airport grass and clapped, gasped, and oohed and aahed.

As the moon slowly moved across the sun, a tiny spot of sunlight appeared where the earlier divot had started and, with the ring of fire still visible, it looked like and is referred to as a “diamond ring”. We had to put on our glasses to continue watching the moon slide past the sun. As things returned to normal, the automatic streetlights turned off, cars driving by turned off their lights, and people began to disperse. 

The eclipse we saw in Nebraska was more dramatic due to the higher and drier elevation, clearer air, and lack of ambient light from a city. In Nebraska, in 2017, a warm breezy day transitioned into a cool, calm night in the middle of the afternoon. The birds stopped singing, the wind stopped blowing, and the stars shone brightly. Around the horizon, we could see sunset colors in every directions. It seemed like this part of the planet was holding its breath awaiting the return of the sun. 

We arrived back in Tampa around 8:30 PM tired but having experienced a life changing celestial event never to be forgotten. Having seen two eclipses, if the opportunity arises for us to see another, we’ll chase it!