2024 Solar Eclipse - MONDAY April 8 2024

Stowe is well enough inside the path to have a great view.

 

I think the rangley lakes area of Maine may be better. Hopefully less people.

 

I'm trying to be closer to that blue line. The Alchemist is pretty much as far as I'm willing to go away from it, because it seems like it would be a good spot, planned out, etc - we just have to show up. I'm hesitant to commit now only because if they come back and say "Oh yeah tix are 150/head" - I'm out.

We already have a lot of people making it a day trip, Burlington/northern VT is doable for everyone. Going up into Northern Maine probably isn't. I was originally thinking up by Seboomok but that's 7 hours each way for me, probably similar for a lot of people here, only shorter for a few.

My vote is TBD on the alchemist if they come back with some bananas level cost per person for tickets. If they do, I think the causeway Jared brought up, up in Burlington, is the way to go. Where to park?

 

I was talkin like right around here. Right near Eustis.

 

That's still 6 hours each way for me, and everyone coming from western MA, CT area, etc. Burlington is 4:30 for me, closer for Matt, closer to western MA folks, Stowe is even a smidge closer than that without going into Burlington proper, too.

Are you on Facebook? There's a group 207 overland, I bet they're doing something if you wanted to go up into Maine. I just don't see that being a feasible day trip for everyone

 

I use facebook for poor decisions on marketplace. But I'll join you guys whereever, it just sounded like VT was going to be a shitshow... I am always down for a shitshow

If its alchemist I may not be able to join, they dont allow dogs even outside.

 

Know what'll be really (not) funny? If it's cloudy after all the planning that goes in to this lol.
man...it's cold up north. Found one in Ohio that is cheap and it's warmer there. But 9 hours for a 50/50 chance at clear skies. Camping NY/VT/ME might be tough. I guess that's the chance to take. Go close/north and risk cold weather/snow. Or take a long road trip for warm weather but maybe get skunked on the weather as well. I'm still undecided on where to go.

 

I think the causeway will be a shit show, Alchemist will be less of a shit show, but still a shit show. I don't think we're getting away from that in Burlington area, unfortunately.

Oh, I almost guarantee it.

The problem is trails close down in VT April-May, reopen June 1 so they don't get thrashed through mud season. Even a lot of hiking trails for the same reason. Early April could be hit or miss. It could be 10 degrees and snowing, it could be sunny and 60.

Best bet if you're willing is Texas.



Dallas is IN the path of the totality, but you could go out west of Austin into the hills, that would be my go to. Llano is a really cool little town, right on the blue line. Buchanan is going to be a mess, I would think.

 

I don't think I want to go down to TX. Furthest I'll probably go is AR. Then bookend the roadtrip with bike races to prep for the season. I could do one in VA on the way down, then there's one in Fayateville the weekend after. Kill some time and ride in Bentonville during the week.

On a side note, I did reserve a Hipcamp site at Loon Lake, NY, just north of Lake Placid. It's a yurt w/ fireplace inside. It hurts to pay what these people are asking for bare bones (80/night), but it is what it is at this point. It's right in the dead center of the path. Says it sleeps 3. If I wind up going south, I can leave the reservation in tact if someone here is interested in it.

 

Damn, thats a huge influx of expected people. Sounds like Fryeburg Maine during the week of the Fair.

Also very true. I have that Monday off but cant make any decisions which direction Im going until a few days before, pending weather

 

If this helps anyone, here's another good interactive map with potential for sky view. Has some neat overlays. As we already know, down south has the better odds of clear skies. If it increases your anxiety about a decision, then I'm sorry lol

https://ncsu.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a65a18758b264f1790665a68b858b3d6

 

That's why I'm leaning toward a day trip. I'll probably head up regardless. If the weather looks like junk I'll divert to Pollys and then home instead.

 

Just leave buttcrack-of-dawn early if you day trip it. I remember the major highways were shut down w/ traffic the last time when I was in TN.

Even if it's cloudy/rainy/snowy, I think it's still going to be worth going. It'll make for a totally different experience. Sure, you won't get to the see the sun get blocked out but It'll get really dark if it's cloudy. And tbh, I think it would be super cool when it gets dark in middle of the day and it's snowing.
I'm just a bitch about the cold.

 

You don't know the half of it.....

https://www.wcax.com/2024/02/04/vermonters-ecstatic-see-first-sunny-day-months/

"WATERBURY, Vt. (WCAX) - It’s time to pull out the sunglasses because it is the first time in about 70 days that Vermonters are seeing some sunshine."

 

Got my glasses and camera cover from
https://www.eclipseglasses.com/
recommended from NASA gov site

Took vacation to camp 3 days near saranac lake for this, rain or shine - should have a good time anyways

 

I just came across this thread. How crazy do you guys think Vermont will be for the eclipse? I was thinking about just having the kids skip school and drive up near Burlington. Now I’m questioning if I would even be able to park somewhere. Another option is to go to Stowe and snowboard during the eclipse. Of course this is all assuming it’s not raining or nasty out which is a huge possibility for early April.

 

See my previous post in this thread.

But, if I were you I'd still do it / something. Just don't expect to be able to get to a nice touristy / accomodating spot, although you may luck out. You may just get so far in and stuck / park for half a day. I also think getting out will be the bigger issue as many will try to leave on the same day. Since this takes place almost 4 pm, expect to get back around midnight at the earliest if you are out of state and getting up near Burlington / Montpelier.

Also, to all those interested (2/14):

https://www.wcax.com/2024/02/14/how-burlington-is-preparing-influx-eclipse-visitors/
"To avoid traffic jams and make sure people can safely move around on foot on the day of the eclipse, the city is creating a car-free zone, closing several streets, including sections of Main, College and Battery streets. In addition, the beltline will be closed to be used for parking, with buses shuttling people to events."

The highways will be .... interesting....


Non-related, but was thinking this the other day. Apparently in 94 the Grateful Dead played at the little Franklin Airport right down the road from me. Also had a few 10k's of people show up. Couldn't imagine it then (wasn't here yet), as I can't now knowing the area like I do.

 

And another thing (as Columbo used to say lol...) - futzing with stuff here at the moment made me think to remind you all of our cell coverage. If you do end up coming upstream for this, and never experienced it, coverage in VT is extremely spotty in the hill country. And by spotty, I mean really - sometimes a couple dozen feet can break you. If you're in valleys or not near any bigger towns you may not have service.

Don't let their "coverage" maps fool you into "signal" map reality. ATT and others show all VT up this way covered, and it ain't anywhere near that. I think they just go off the tower locations and a dumb radius. Geology, maple syrup, and dinosaur bones have plenty to say about blocking signals....