Chasing the Great American Eclipse

After much deliberation, checking weather forecasts, the path and time of totality, and considering various viewing locations across Vermont, we ultimately decided to witness the total solar eclipse in the Northeast Kingdom. We had considered staying put in Manchester to capture the partial eclipse—a decision that offered perks: no four-hour drive, no traffic worries, a less complicated photography situation, and no fuel expense.

Since, at our age, totality might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we finally resolved to participate wholeheartedly. I had completed all the preparation work—purchasing the glasses, making a camera filter, taking an online class on photographing a total solar eclipse and picking a location for viewing. We decided to watch the eclipse from Crystal Lake State Park in Barton, VT, where totality was 3.5 minutes.

This is my homemade Solar Camera Lens Filter.

Everyone knows what these are.

So, on Sunday, April 7, we began our journey towards Barton, VT, driving to South Deerfield, MA, where we settled for the night at a Red Roof Inn. We wanted to avoid rush hour traffic in Hartford and Springfield and had hoped for accommodations closer to the path of totality, but Vermont hotel rooms were fully booked.

On Monday morning, we left the hotel early and continued our journey. However, we soon got stuck in traffic due to ongoing construction in Southern Vermont, which caused a delay.

Vermont Traffic Jam

We finally arrived at Crystal Lake State Park in Barton, VT, at 10:30 am and found that every parking spot was already taken. Many people were parking a considerable distance away and walking to the park’s eclipse-viewing grounds. Since I had a lot of heavy camera equipment, I didn’t want to walk such a long distance. Fortunately, we had a backup plan. We drove a few blocks to the Welcome O. Brown Cemetery instead. When we arrived, we were happy to find the cemetery quiet and empty, with only two other cars parked there.

Welcome O. Brown Cemetery

Around 1:00, we noticed that nearly 15 other groups had discovered our beautiful spot for the eclipse. We hung out with a father and two sons from Fitchburg, MA – Rich, Charlie, and Tommy. Charlie had two cameras set up and took thousands of pictures. We met people from various places, such as DC, Philadelphia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. Due to the snow melting, I had to move my camera and equipment to avoid standing in a huge puddle. I thought I had everything set up and ready for the start of the eclipse at 2:15. The next two hours and fifteen minutes were incredible, especially the three minutes of totality. Although I took many pictures, I mistakenly kept the ISO at 100. I’m not sure why I did that, and while I’m not entirely disappointed with my photos, I wonder if they would have been clearer if I had used a higher ISO.

Here we are viewing the partial eclipse. Charlie is in the background. Tommy took the picture.

The eye protection and camera filter can come off during totality.  And look at those solar flares!!  Incredible Experience!!!  But so short.  Only three minutes.

Here is a composite of what we saw. The eclipse lasted from 2:15 p.m. to 4:28 p.m., and the totality lasted from 3:27 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

From where we were, an airplane flew across our line of sight during totality.

The Horizon During Totality.

The eclipse ended at 4:30, and we started our journey back home. However, the drive was a nightmare as Routes 5 and 91 were congested. It took us a whopping 8.5 hours to reach home. We stopped at the White Market in Lyndonville, VT, for sandwiches. During a stop to fill up at Thomson Fuels in Bradford, VT, we unexpectedly met Rich, Charlie, and Tommy again at the next pump. It felt like Vermont was one big, small town. Finally, we arrived back at our house in Manchester at 1:00 am. I couldn’t help but worry about the Philadelphia father and son we met at the cemetery who planned to go to work and school on Tuesday. Although they left about a half hour before us, Philadelphia is easily another 3.5-hour drive beyond Hartford.

Despite the error in setting up my camera and the incredibly long ride home, experiencing the totality was well worth the effort. We could hear people at the state park cheering, the wind picked up, and in the cemetery, there was a feeling of peacefulness in the world. I would do it again!!