Quantcast
Anyone Driving Down to See the Eclipse? - Beyond.ca - Car Forums
Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Anyone Driving Down to See the Eclipse?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    2013 Genesis Coupe
    Posts
    188
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Anyone Driving Down to See the Eclipse?

    So you probably heard that the Northern US is right in the path of a Total Eclipse on Aug 21. Won't be a while until another one hits land so close to us and apparently a ton of people are heading down as hotels in the line of totality are filling up and charging crazy prices.

    Anyone heading down? What's your plan?

    Personally I was debating it but it seems like such a huge risk if the weather doesn't cooperate. You get an overcast day and you wasted a ton of time and money to hangout in Montana or Idaho. I can't get over that risk, but I can see why it might be worth it.

    There's nothing like a total eclipse. Watch this video from a recent one in Indonesia for an idea. This isn't false color or anything like that, this is actually what you would see:



    It's definitely a bucket list thing for me it's just I'd rather risk travelling to an area that I'd like to be in regardless of the eclipse so I don't waste a lot money if a stupid cloud decides to roll in and block the show. Calgary will experience a total eclipse on August 23 2044 for those of us that should still be alive. You'll also see a 90% partial eclipse (https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/canada/calgary) from town when this one rolls in but a partial eclipse is nothing like totality. Even though 90% sounds impressive and is pretty close to total, it's like comparing a 2 to 10. If you have glasses it's neat to see a crescent sun but chances are unless you hear about it or catch the shadow of the sun through a tree canopy, you wouldn't even notice. It'd be like a small cloud drifting in front of the sun on a normal day.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    '14 Taco
    Posts
    809
    Rep Power
    34

    Default

    where can i get the glasses in town? we're driving to vancouver island that day, so could be pretty cool to time it for the ferry (i know it's not totality)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Only 15min from Aspen!
    My Ride
    Nothing interesting anymore
    Posts
    8,406
    Rep Power
    100

    Default

    I'm pretty sure the Science Center sells them. Probably a lot of places the week it happens.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Hybrid
    Posts
    1,147
    Rep Power
    28

    Default

    London Drugs had them in their flyer last week
    https://www.londondrugs.com/search/?q=solar%20eclipse
    Originally posted by max_boost
    Hey baller, any problem money can solve is no problem at all. Don't sweat it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    2013 Genesis Coupe
    Posts
    188
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Yeah online too. Or a welders mask?

    When I saw a partial similar to what we'll see here when I was as a kid I'm pretty sure we used camera film. Totally unsafe but hey, that's the 90's for yeah, I think I can still see alright? Also don't know if anyone still has camera film!

    It was definitely worth looking up for if you have something to look through. You can do a pin hole thing and watch the shadow. I did that last time there was a partial here, not worth it.
    Last edited by dj_patm; 08-10-2017 at 01:25 PM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    576
    Rep Power
    18

    Default

    '08.5 Mazda 3
    '90 Laser RS-T
    '07 Yamaha R6

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    (maah raahde)
    Posts
    5,799
    Rep Power
    44

    Default

    You won't get totality in Montana and only southern Idaho will get it. And Calgary won't get 90%, it's more like 75-80%

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    2013 Genesis Coupe
    Posts
    188
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by D'z Nutz View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    You won't get totality in Montana and only southern Idaho will get it. And Calgary won't get 90%, it's more like 75-80%
    Yeah just checked. UofC is saying 80%.

    People we're suggesting staying in Butte that's why I thought that. Guess they plan on driving south.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    315
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Anywhere further south than Butte is like $250 a night to park your RV if you can even find a spot..

    I hear Oregon is expecting a million people.
    Last edited by lasimmon; 08-10-2017 at 01:58 PM.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    2013 Genesis Coupe
    Posts
    188
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Is it smokey in Oregon?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Calgary,AB
    My Ride
    2015 Kia Forte5 SX
    Posts
    1,008
    Rep Power
    17

    Default

    We booked into west yellowstone koa rv park and its $70 a night for our pull through site. Going to drive the 45 mins to be in the path of totality.

    By the way they have the glasses at best buy at the moment next to the counter

    If its cloudy though are we going to see anything? my wife says yes - i have my doubts.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    315
    Rep Power
    16

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dj_patm View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    Is it smokey in Oregon?
    Yah I was reading that it is - on and off. Combination of their own fires and BC fires.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    2013 Genesis Coupe
    Posts
    188
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by nzwasp View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    We booked into west yellowstone koa rv park and its $70 a night for our pull through site. Going to drive the 45 mins to be in the path of totality.

    By the way they have the glasses at best buy at the moment next to the counter

    If its cloudy though are we going to see anything? my wife says yes - i have my doubts.
    You need to see the sun.

    "What if it’s cloudy that day?
    Eclipse chasers don't like to use the C-word, but they do have to consider the possibility, of course. If it's cloudy, you won't see anything - simple as that. So what veteran eclipse chasers do is to plan for a viewing location that historically has given signs of having as few clouds as possible on eclipse day. But we're still subject to the whims of weather, and so mobility on eclipse day is very important. It's not unusual for die-hard eclipse chasers to keep airplanes on standby, in case they have to make a last-minute run for it to escape clouds! With mobility as easy as it is in the USA, though, we should be able to look at forecasts a day or two before, and move accordingly to try and get into a path location that promises to be cloud-free. Remember that most eclipse chasers think nothing of going into the remotest parts of the world - a little diversion such as having to relocate to Wyoming from North Carolina is NOTHING compared to the wonder of seeing a total eclipse! Again, after you see it, you will understand why."

    http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/faq.htm

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    2013 Genesis Coupe
    Posts
    188
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Damn it, the more I read about it the more tempted I am to go. 10 hours and 46 minutes to Snake River Valley, which is one of the top recommended spots for viewing. Yellowstone near by too, but I'm assuming everything will be a gongshow that weekend.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Calgary,AB
    My Ride
    2015 Kia Forte5 SX
    Posts
    1,008
    Rep Power
    17

    Default

    I booked two rv sites actually one is 11 hours away the other is the one im staying in. I can give the other one away though probably can transfer/ or change name. At the time I didnt even have to reserve with my credit card.

    Its at the willow bay cafe and RV - i think its about 30mins south of the total path.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    2013 Genesis Coupe
    Posts
    188
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Girlfriend and I decided we're going to plan a trip to Argentina and Chile for the 2019 eclipse instead. That way if the weather doesn't cooperate we still have an awesome trip out of it.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    My Ride
    Bicycle
    Posts
    9,271
    Rep Power
    49

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dj_patm View Post
    This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
    Girlfriend and I decided we're going to plan a trip to Argentina and Chile for the 2019 eclipse instead. That way if the weather doesn't cooperate we still have an awesome trip out of it.
    Hmm, that's actually pretty good idea, need to check that out.

Similar Threads

  1. Anyone driving down from Edmonton?

    By eblend in forum General
    Replies: 0
    Latest Threads: 03-28-2017, 09:54 PM
  2. Anyone driving down to the states and back?

    By source69er in forum Wheel and Tire Discussion
    Replies: 20
    Latest Threads: 05-01-2014, 04:11 PM
  3. WTB: Driving force EX or Driving Force driving wheel

    By wontonton_65 in forum Video Games / Consoles
    Replies: 0
    Latest Threads: 11-21-2011, 02:58 PM
  4. Replies: 48
    Latest Threads: 11-03-2003, 01:21 AM
  5. Must see this video.....e46m3 vs eclipse

    By nismodrifter in forum Cars, Bikes, Machines
    Replies: 25
    Latest Threads: 05-08-2003, 02:37 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •