The Eclipse

 Well, THAT was interesting! It's been a busy day for me. I was interested in finding out if lots of people would show up at the Cabot Plain Cemetery to watch the eclipse, so I took a quick trip up there a little before two o'clock, and sure enough - it was a busy place! I estimate there were 25-30 cars parked there then, and probably more people showed up later. One enterprising local was selling maple
syrup. In these photos you can see cars were parked all the way from the cemetery  at the top of the hill to the schoolhouse below at the junction of Bayley-Hazen Road and Cabot Plains Road. I didn't stop to talk to anyone as I wanted to get back
home and get set up to watch the event myself. I tried to get a picture when it was total, but it didn't come out. I have no clue what I did wrong. No rerun available for that, but what the heck - plenty of professionals got great shots and they will be shown everywhere.

There were several tripods set up at the Plains Cemetery, but I don't know if they were for photos or were maybe for a telescope. I didn't stop to ask. People were milling about, some sitting in lawn chairs, others seemed to have camp gear out in the snow=covered field. Everyone looked happy, and justly so. It was a warm, clear day, and except for the snow covering the ground here, it was perfect for viewing the eclipse.

As we were waiting for the sun to darken completely, Diane texted me that someone was sitting in a lawn chair out on the ice to watch the eclipse! I can't imagine anyone being that brave! He or she was taking quite a chance. Now is not a good time to be on the ice anywhere. 

We have had two very warm days in a row and more to come, so the ice will be gone soon. There is rain in the forecast, too. Real April weather - and we have a lot of snow left on the ground here and even more in the Stowe/Morrisville/Hardwick area, so there will be a lot of water running into rivers and ponds by the end of this week.

Back to the eclipse - In St. Johnsbury there was spillover as far as Bay Street where KATVs studios are. Jamie sent his photo is from their parking area, looking towards the Passumpsic River. He said the crowd counted off the seconds and there was lots of clapping and shouting from a very enthusiastic and excited bunch of watchers. There were many more people across town on Main Street in St. Johnsbury at the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium. 

I suppose everyone has gone home now, although some hardy folks may decide to watch the sun set from the Plain. That is also pretty impressive when the weather is clear. Roads out of Burlington and St. Johnsbury are reported to have heavy traffic as people make their way out of the area.

I'm glad I watched - but the darkness was so brief, I don't think the birds that were using my feeder even noticed. I wasn't able to see them and watch the eclipse at the same time, but I came into the house as it was just beginning to get brighter outside, and the birds were busy at the feeder, like nothing had changed. I was impressed at how dark it actually got, though.

All this excitement has made me very hungry. It's time to turn off my computer and put something together for supper!