The Path of Totality

Well folks, we did it! (To be honest, we are still currently trekking back from the path of totality, but for this hellish commute I think we're past the part where we are stuck in a poop-filled potato field so, really, we are on the upswing.)

Honestly, for days we'd been doubting whether we should attempt this crazy trip. This is despite it being the purpose of our trip out West and even despite the hours of research I did that informed me Idaho or coastal Oregon were the best visibility options. Two days ago, after reading the LA Times article about how terrified tiny Idaho Falls was or the near constant warning from the Salt Lake City news that we were surely diving into an apocalypse, I was even shaky with our commitment to be real eclipse chasers. Now, having done it and despite being up from 4am until likely 1am tomorrow and this hellacious traffic, I would do it again with 1000% confidence that it's worth it. It really was.

The excitement and community we built with strangers out in Tautphaus Park in Idaho Falls, the hours spent just being a family, killing time outside, and making memories, and the actual gobsmacking beauty of a total eclipse made for an exceptional afternoon. The price we're paying now won't be what we carry home with us.

So, what was it like? Was totality really as cool as everyone said it would be. Yes! I think so!

We were up at 4am and on the road twenty minutes later. The kids slept until 6:30 and we were pulling into Idaho Falls around 7:30. We had company on the highway but no traffic. I had researched and researched and discovered that Tautphaus Park would have large grassy fields, restrooms, a playground, an amusement park and a zoo in walking distance. We had a morning picnic of croissants and chocolate cake and made friends with the families around us. Sam took all of the kids to check out the skate park and I got to stretch out (and call my momma!). Later I discovered that the big kids we're actually sliding into the bowl of the skate park and then running up the sides, and pulling themselves up and over the edge. Goodness. It was Zahra's ripped skirt and dirt smudged nose that gave it away. But! The kids loved it and I'm pretty sure we can convince them to go to the skate park near us with their wheels. So, win win for everyone other than that skirt.

We did origami in the park and had a crowd of five year olds come join us. We played soccer and even Ziyan was dribbling and kicking. We stretched out on a fuzzy blanket, glasses on and watched the sun slowly get eaten by the Moon. "Mommy, it looks like the Moon took a bite out of the sun," conjectured Zahra. "Or a dragon!" posited Zayd. We had an hour and eighteen minutes between that first tiny bite and totality and we spent it together in anticipation and it was simply lovely. Everyone spread out on their blanket was so friendly and talkative. We shared stories about where we came from, what we were eating, and how the traffic had been. We shared glasses and origami papers and insights about the sun. (Mormons were there sharing free books!) Aman nearby was the local expert and he had a special countdown timer. By thirty and then definitely by ten seconds the whole park was woohooing and yelling and joyous. I can't actually explain why, other than a buildup of energy that we were all engaged in together.

When we reached totality suddenly it was truly dark. The horizon had the dewy pink hue of sunset for 365°, which was truly spectacular. The corona of the sun flamed and flared around the moon in a truly magical way. Seeing the sun slowly disappear, you come to understand how magnificently powerful it really is. At 60% covered, it didn't seem any darker and even at 90% we could still see one another. Just before it disappeared strange (apparently unexplained) wavy shadows danced on the sidewalks. And the second it was gone, it got so cold.

During totality Zahra especially buzzed around and I felt teary. Zayd offered to pick her up so she could get a closer look. Then...double teary. Sam seemed awestruck. Ziyan slept through the entire thing, just like I hoped he would. It was two minutes of unthrottled excitement and maybe even euphoria. Let's just say, I can't wait for 2024. But also, the adventure, minus this horrific commute we're still slugging through, made it more special. We built up the suspense for so long, skipped out on our normal lives, and journeyed halfway across the country together and then witnessed what felt like a miracle but was actually better, it was science!

We bummed around Idaho for some hours, rode the ferris wheel, visited the zoo, and ate. We attempted to leave around four but the traffic made is about ship nearly an hour in. Fifteen minutes later, we were touring the Museum of Idaho with 300 other eclipse chasers. We're now two hours into our late night trek headed for SLC. Wish us luck!

PS As a last hurrah, the sunset tonight over the mountains and fields of Idaho was magic. The sun was was an enormous orange disk, the sky so pink. What a great day for our solar system's prized jewel.