EEk It's an Eclipse - Part 2

 Wednesday, August 12, 2026

It is finally time for the big event!  A total solar eclipse! 

Astronomer David Eicher

We loaded the bus to depart for the viewing spot--an area at a private vineyard in the center of the path of totality.

It was a perfect location--not a lot of people, plenty of viewing area, chairs, wine, and some shade too!

It was pretty hot when we arrived (about 97 degrees!) but it didn't seem to matter as everyone found a place to settle in and many began setting up equipment.  It was about 2 hours before the first stage.

 The astronomers were monitoring the sun and providing updates to let us know the timing....

...while others were relaxing and getting excited about the main event!

We decided to take the advice of the experts who said to just enjoy the eclipse experience--the best pictures will be in your memory.  

The vineyard brought out cheese and sausage as an appetizer, and provided wine as well as water to keep everyone hydrated.

Our tour guide Rigo and company president Cingas were excited about the day with a sigh of relief that the weather was good.  The tour in Iceland was not so lucky, as they had rain.

Rigo

Jim found some almond trees and picked almonds to share.  I didn't really know that almonds grow on trees, but found out it is a major crop in this area, along with olives and grapes.

Finally, the first stage of the eclipse arrived, and everyone got serious about getting the glasses on and the eclipse watch began.  Even the bus drivers got involved!

As it moved through the stages, the lighting and weather changed...

Everything got quiet and cool and dark.  And when the first diamond ring hit, (a tiny bit of sunlight at the edge of the moon)  there was a shout, and the astronomers yelled "It's time to take off your glasses!"  Everyone cheered!  I got the binoculars and was able to see the "Bailey's Beads" small bits of red light around the dark edge of the moon. You could see the black moon surrounded by the sun's corona--it almost looked like an eyeball!  It was an amazing sight.   It is very hard to describe the experience...strange and wonderful at the same time..   

 

After totality, the sun provided a beautiful sunset, and later as we drove away, popped up over the hills to show us a bite still missing.

A perfect close to a perfect eclipse experience!