Totality was Totally Awesome!

We gathered at the Brown County/Nashville Indiana KOA for the total solar eclipse April 8, 2024! “Murderers Row” had RVs for Josh, Mel & Jack, Debbie & Leo, Chris, the pups & I, Greg & Nancy, then Debbie & Paul!

Two deluxe cabins: one for Cousin Larry & the other for Chris & Jennifer completed our merry band of travelers!

The weather reports were looking grim – three days out predicted 78% cloud cover… Two days out it was 53%… One day out 36%. Then miracle of miracles a nasty wet cold front blew through and just like that we awoke to perfectly clear skies on April 8th!!!

We gathered in front of Cousin Larry’s cabin to wait for the big event, wondering if we’ld get to see the 360 degree “sunset” around the horizon. Safe to say no one (except Chris Baldwin) had any idea of the magnitude of what we were about to experience!

The temperature started dropping when the first nibble was taken out of the sun! It got so chilly that people donned their sweatshirts! We marvelled as the moon slowly edged across the sun, which was glowing a golden orange through our special eclipse glasses. As the sun disappeared the air around us was an odd sort of purply color. Finally – totality!!!

We ditched the eclipse glasses – Baileys Beads were glowing at the bottom edge of the moon! It was as dark as a very late dusk. And then sunset appeared on the horizon all around us! Crickets and other insects of the night began their chirping chorus! Temperatures dropped about 20 degrees! It was awe inspiring, sending shivers of wonder into your very soul!

Four fascinating minutes later the sun began peaking out from behind the moon, the skies instantly brightened, temperatures rapidly climbed, and the cricket chorus went silent!