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On the way to Denver on Saturday, we started seeing these signs as we entered Colorado on I-25. We knew the traffic to the zone of totality in Wyoming was going to be crazy, We decided to leave Denver at 4:00 AM to drive to Torrington, Wyoming. We had originally planned on going to Glendo, Wyoming, but that would have meant more time on I-25, and we wanted to get off and on alternative roads as soon as possible.
On the way to Denver on Saturday, we started seeing these signs as we entered Colorado on I-25. We knew the traffic to the zone of totality in Wyoming was going to be crazy, We decided to leave Denver at 4:00 AM to drive to Torrington, Wyoming. We had originally planned on going to Glendo, Wyoming, but that would have meant more time on I-25, and we wanted to get off and on alternative roads as soon as possible.
We drove on I-25 to just across the Wyoming border, then we exited and cut across on a state highway to US 85. We then drove into Cheyenne. There was no traffic to speak of compared to I-25. We stopped on the South side of Cheyenne to get gas at a very nice convenience store and gas station. Gas was much cheaper in Wyoming...and they actually sell gas without ethanol!
We drove on I-25 to just across the Wyoming border, then we exited and cut across on a state highway to US 85. We then drove into Cheyenne. There was no traffic to speak of compared to I-25. We stopped on the South side of Cheyenne to get gas at a very nice convenience store and gas station. Gas was much cheaper in Wyoming...and they actually sell gas without ethanol!
Lee's Jeep at sunrise in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Did you know that the population of Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, is only 63,000? That's less than than New Braunfels! On the day of the eclipse, it is estimated that a million people traveled to Wyoming to see the eclipse. That's almost double their actual state population!
Lee's Jeep at sunrise in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Did you know that the population of Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, is only 63,000? That's less than than New Braunfels! On the day of the eclipse, it is estimated that a million people traveled to Wyoming to see the eclipse. That's almost double their actual state population!
After leaving Cheyenne, we traveled East then North and rejoined US 85. At that point, the traffic was bumper to bumper. As we crested hills, we could see the line of cars stretching out ahead of us to the horizon. My biggest fear was that we would reach Torrington, then get stopped in a miles-long traffic jam trying to get into town. Miraculously, that did not happen. We drove right into town. We then stopped at a grocery store to pick up some more snacks, then drove a couple blocks to a city park. In all, the trip took a little over 4 hours, and it should have taken 3 without traffic. Not too bad, considering there were as many cars in Wyoming that day as people!
After leaving Cheyenne, we traveled East then North and rejoined US 85. At that point, the traffic was bumper to bumper. As we crested hills, we could see the line of cars stretching out ahead of us to the horizon. My biggest fear was that we would reach Torrington, then get stopped in a miles-long traffic jam trying to get into town. Miraculously, that did not happen. We drove right into town. We then stopped at a grocery store to pick up some more snacks, then drove a couple blocks to a city park. In all, the trip took a little over 4 hours, and it should have taken 3 without traffic. Not too bad, considering there were as many cars in Wyoming that day as people!
We were able to park literally across the street from the park, then we set up eclipse camp next to a Frisbee golf basket. We had about an hour and a half before the eclipse was to begin. George and Lee look pretty happy for having been dragged out of bed at 3:00 AM, then trekking 200 miles through what looked like evacuation traffic!
We were able to park literally across the street from the park, then we set up eclipse camp next to a Frisbee golf basket. We had about an hour and a half before the eclipse was to begin. George and Lee look pretty happy for having been dragged out of bed at 3:00 AM, then trekking 200 miles through what looked like evacuation traffic!
My next task was to set up the eclipse camera. I had a piece of #14 welding glass in a frame that I 3D printed. It worked out rather nicely. I designed the frame in Tinkercad. I measured the glass and the lens and had to adjust it a bit after the first print, but I'm pretty proud of my effort.
My next task was to set up the eclipse camera. I had a piece of #14 welding glass in a frame that I 3D printed. It worked out rather nicely. I designed the frame in Tinkercad. I measured the glass and the lens and had to adjust it a bit after the first print, but I'm pretty proud of my effort.
Then, at the prescribed time, the eclipse started happening. These are some candid shots of myself, George, and Lee during the eclipse. The atmosphere was like a 4th of July picnic in a small town park. Everyone was friendly, and most of the people seemed like-minded, which makes sense because we all had to have a similar motivation to want to travel hundreds or thousands of miles to see a total eclipse. We were "camped" next to a retired teacher and his wife from Fort Collins, Colorado, who seemed to have a lot in common with us.
Then, at the prescribed time, the eclipse started happening. These are some candid shots of myself, George, and Lee during the eclipse. The atmosphere was like a 4th of July picnic in a small town park. Everyone was friendly, and most of the people seemed like-minded, which makes sense because we all had to have a similar motivation to want to travel hundreds or thousands of miles to see a total eclipse. We were "camped" next to a retired teacher and his wife from Fort Collins, Colorado, who seemed to have a lot in common with us.
I don't know how well these photos capture the unique light that we experienced as the sun was going further and further into full eclipse. To me, having experienced it first hand, I notice how the pictures tend to take on a golden or sepia hue as the moon crossed the sun. Your observation may vary.
I don't know how well these photos capture the unique light that we experienced as the sun was going further and further into full eclipse. To me, having experienced it first hand, I notice how the pictures tend to take on a golden or sepia hue as the moon crossed the sun. Your observation may vary.
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