For a couple hours on Monday afternoon we were all focused on the awesomeness of nature. Some made a holiday of it, ignoring dire warnings from the NCDOT about driving to the Zone of Totality. Some simply stepped out into their backyards when the time came. But we all joined in the experience of the eclipse. As a friend put it, “Facebook hasn’t been this politics-free since before there was Facebook.”

As the moon began its slow — or seemingly slow; it was traveling at about 1,800 miles per hour — journey, we dropped what we were doing and grabbed cereal boxes punched with holes, perforated pie pans, whatever we could improvise to view the rarity of the moon passing between Earth and sun.

At our gathering, at the Horton Grove Nature Preserve, we were fortunate to hang out with Dan, who brought his dad’s mid-century surveying transit, which cast a crisp image of the event on white posterboard. Our buddy Chuck gave us a pair of sanctioned (we hope) viewing glasses. Cool as it was to view the eclipse directly, especially cool were the crescent-shaped shadows cast through the tree leaves. As the event peaked, the air cooled and the ambient light dimmed in a way that defied comparison. From Portland, Ore., to Charleston, S.C., a huge swath of the country dropped what they were doing and went out to experience the eclipse. And, for many, seven years might pass before they again venture into the wonder of nature, to watch the next total eclipse visible from the United States on April 8, 2024.

But you, of course, know that nature provides a spectacular show every hour of every day of every week of every month.… And you have the power to carry on the enlightenment of the eclipse.

Timing is on your side. We’re headed into fall, a season perhaps best suited to enjoying nature here in the South. It’s cooler, it’s drier. The air is crisp, the trees change color. A stillness much like that during the peak of the eclipse settles in. It’s a season that can be every bit as spellbinding as an event such as the eclipse. But people often need a nudge to get out and make that happen.

• Take a couch-bound friend on a hike. Make it short, on a foot-friendly trail. Bring snacks and cold water. When you return to the trailhead, they’ll likely want to know when you can head out again.
• Offer to lead a hike for beginners. Some folks are hesitant to hike because they don’t want to go out on their own and they’ve heard stories about how group hikes often leave beginners in the dust. That’s not how we operate at GetHiking! When we lead a hike, unless clearly stated otherwise, our commitment is to the last hiker.*
• Talk up your adventures. Focus on how the trail leads away from deadlines and bosses, and bills and toward reflection, relaxation, and answers to life’s persistent questions.

Show someone the awesomeness of nature that can be experienced this weekend. Even this evening.

Happy Trails,

Joe

*If you’re interested in leading beginning hikes, drop me a line at joe@getgoingnc.com

The post Grow the awe of the eclipse appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Don’t forget your eclipse-viewing safety glasses!

Based on dire warnings from N.C. Department of Transportation message boards statewide (“Plan Ahead”!), we’re guessing that pert near everyone is resting up this weekend for the day of gathering gloom on Monday. Thus, we focus on events focused on the Sun’s disappearance Monday afternoon around 2:30.

Coast

The North Carolina coast is outside the range of total obliteration; Wilmington, at 96 percent obfuscation, is about as close as you’ll get. With a variety of events planned, we like the Solar Eclipse Party planned at Airlie Gardens in conjunction with the Cape Fear Museum, New Hanover County Library and the National Weather Service. They’ll provide those hard-to-get viewing glasses (numbers are limited; first come, first serve), plus family-friendly games, educational activities and more.

Logistics: Solar Eclipse Party, Monday, August 21, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Airlie Gardens, Wilmington. $3-$9. More info here.

Monday forecast: High of 87, chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

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Piedmont

North Carolina State Parks has several viewing events planned, including many in the Piedmont (find a complete list here.)

Centrally located, in Greensboro, is the Solar Eclipse Viewing party planned for Haw River State Park at their Iron Ore Belt Access. The viewing will be from the grassy recreation field near the parking lot, offering a sweeping view to the south and west. Arrive early and hike the 3.8-mile Great Blue Heron lollipop loop — but be sure to get back in time to score one of 70 pairs of eclipse-viewing glasses available.

Logistics: Solar Eclipse Viewing, Monday, Aug. 21, 2-3 p.m., Haw River State Park, Greensboro. More info here.

Monday forecast: High of 89, sunny.

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Mountains

The land will go dark for as long as 2 minutes and 39 seconds in far southwestern North Carolina. Bryson City, Cashiers, Sylva and other towns in the path of Totality have big events planned; Clingmans Dome is a ticketed event, the road to the top closed except to the shuttled few. The Blue Ridge Parkway? West of Pisgah Inn, the nation’s most famous scenic parkway will resemble Charlotte’s I-485 at rush hour. Expect mountain traffic like you’ve never seen.

Committed to the total experience? For our friends at Great Outdoor Provision Co., we compiled a list of five mountain peaks where, with a little legwork, you should be able to experience the eclipse minus the maddening crowds. Find that list here.

If you’re fine with the group experience, RomanticAsheville.com has put together a pretty comprehensive list of events; find that rundown here.

Monday forecast: The forecast for Andrews: high of 85 under clear skies.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Coast

The post This weekend: Embrace the approaching gloom appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Get Here Early!

Gates open at 5 a.m.!

Stay All Day!

Food trucks! Vendors! Live streaming!

Don’t you dare miss it … !

In fact, it’s the poster promoting Total Solar Eclipse 2017 at Gorges State Park, part of the normally staid North Carolina State Park system.

North Carolina, and the mountains in particular, are burning up with eclipse fever. For you, that translates to lots of events where you can share the experience with others, maybe hear some live music, sample the fare from a food truck or two, score a pair of those hard-to-get eclipse-watching glasses.

Among the offerings:

Mountains

Downtown Sylva, 1 minute and 47 seconds of total darkness. Eclipse central will be Bridge Park, where, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., you’ll find food trucks, educational tents, kids activities and a planetary walk. More info here.

Cashiers (pronounced “Cashers,” fyi), 2 minutes and 23 seconds. Food trucks, live music and fun, sure, but there will also be solar eclipse experts with special viewing equipment. Go to the local post office and get your special solar eclipse thermal stamp canceled. Festivities run from noon to 4 p.m. More info here.

Blue Ridge Parkway, anywhere from 20 seconds (Looking Glass Overlook, Milepost 417) to 44 seconds (Waterrock Knob, Milepost 469). Parkway officials will be allowing roadside parking (provided you are entirely off the road) for this stretch of the southern parkway west of the Pisgah Inn; still, expect a zoo as moonstruck motorists vie for prime  viewing spots. Check out RomanticAsheville.com‘s Blue Ridge Parkway Guide for overlooks and other stops along this section.

Gorges State Park, Sapphire, about 2 1/2 minutes. Yes, the gates really do open at 5 a.m. (the park typically opens at 8 a.m.), meaning you might want to camp outside the gate to score the best viewing spots and to enjoy the pre-eclipse entertainment, including music by Tina Eno, the Blue Ridge Bakery Boys, Quarter House Band, and the Singing Vegetables puppets. More info here.

Mount Mitchell State Park, Burnsville, 98.43 percent totality. View near totality from the highest point on the East Coast. Featured event: How an Eclipse Happens. Events from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Upper Summit Parking Lot. More info here.

Piedmont

Umstead State Park, Raleigh, 93 percent. Warning: Did you know it can be harmful to view the eclipse without special eclipse glasses? Be among the first 100 to register for the eclipse event at Umstead State Park and the Friends of State Parks will make sure your eyeballs are eclipse-proof. Also on hand: a Dobsonian Telescope with solar filter to view the sun before the total eclipse. Noon to 4 p.m. More info and pre-register here.

Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap, partial eclipse. Gather at 1 p.m. for a 30-minute talk about the eclipse, then hang out in the field between campsites 33 and 34 in the A Loop Campground to watch the action. More info https://www.ncparks.gov/stone-mountain-state-park/events-and-programs/solar-eclipse

Haw River-Iron Ore Belt, 93 percent “Obscuration,” Greensboro. This event focuses on the peak of the event, from 2-3 p.m., with park staff assisting viewers in the open field near the parking area. Free safe viewing glasses provided to the first 70 participants. More info here.

Raven Rock State Park, Lillington, 94 percent. Come to the Visitor Center at 1 p.m. where eclipse educational stations will be set up; then, take your camp chair out front to the grassy field and watch. More info here.

Horton Grove Nature Preserve, Bahama, 93 percent. Our GetHiking! group hosts an event for those late to the eclipse party. Bring a lawn chair. More info and sign up here.

Coast

Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills, partial eclipse. Educational exhibits, crafts and other activities between 1 and 4 p.m. Plus, special viewing glasses will be available! More info here.

Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro, partial. Eclipse-related educational opportunities, with special glasses available. Programs both on the mainland and on Bear Island, a short ferry ride or paddle away. More info here.

Goose Creek State Park, partial, Washington. Timeline: Glasses distributed at 1 p.m., transition begins at 1:20 p.m., peak is at 2:45 p.m., the show’s over at 4 p.m. More info here.

For more State Park events, visit ncparks.gov.

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