Five years ago I learned that there would be a total eclipse visible in North America and I was determined to see it with my own eyes and with my family. I chose Jackson Hole Wyoming for our venue, planning to then go to Grand Teton National Park. Unfortunately, many others had the same idea and although I started looking more than a year in advance I could find no accommodations. At last, Motel 6 opened their books for the period and I jumped at it. Ten months later I called to make sure an accessible room was available for grandson Michael and his parents and was told that the reservation had been cancelled due to overbooking. I had not been notified!
Fortunately I was able to secure accommodations at Springhill Suites, much nicer and much more expensive. The staff at Springhill was very accommodating and helpful. All and all I felt we had actually been fortunate not to be stuck at Motel 6!
Eric Mimi and Mark did some exploring and decided that the park next to the visitor center would be a good viewing location. It was a good choice, not too crowded and with a restroom nearby. Perfect!
We picked our spot and waited for the show to begin. We came prepared with eclipse glasses, viewers, camera filters and even special eclipse binoculars.
Some creature in the nearby wetlands (I think it is a muskrat) provided some diversion while we waited.
I found it difficult to get satisfactory images. It was hard to get the camera to focus, these are the sharpest of the many I took. It didn't help that I left the tripod back in the room. I saw the diamond ring but didn't get a shot.
It was a wonderful experience to share with the family, I'm glad we were able to do it.
I am sharing this with SkyWatch, Friday. Join us their to see more views of the sky.
11 comments:
Great shots. I was about 70 miles to the west of you in Idaho Falls, Idaho. My dad's assisted living center had a party for their residents and guests and it was certainly a thrill. I did not expect viewing the total eclipse would be so emotional but it was. I have seen several partials but not a total before.
I will be more prepared next time. I just had my cell phone. Now that I have experienced it I will have a better idea what to do.
Great images that you have there.
Wonderful shots and sounds like a great experience! Shame on Motel 6 for canceling your reservation without letting you know!!
This moon eclipse we could not see here in Norway, only on TV.
Marvelous eclipse photos and glad you had better accommodations ~ thanks, ^_^
(A ShutterBug Explores)
Very nice - it was quite an amazing experience, wasn't it? I hope to be in the right place again, although I may have to wait until 2044 when my house gets over 4 minutes of totality!
Great shots of the eclipse!
Good shots.
Super shots, thanks for sharing....
I hear unscrupulous motels cancelled long standing reservations because they were able to rebook at much higher rates as they got closer to eclipse time. Shame on Motel 6! I'm happy it worked out for you. Gorgeous shots! (I didn't even plan to photograph and got swept up in the moment - your captures were so much better.) Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
beautiful images of the eclipse. You seem to have had a fine day :)
Martha, this is wonderful! And your pictures are some of the best I've seen (they make me want to delete my horrible ones)...still, I will have them to jog my memories of this amazing experience. I'm so glad you found a place in the totality and were able to share it with your family! when my sister let us know we'd be close to the total last fall, we started calling all over central Oregon for rooms for 2 couples and couldn't find a thing....and almost couldn't get one room for them here in Eugene (our apartment here is too small for overnight guests)! I couldn't believe it! Anyway it all worked out for the best. As it certainly did for you. I bet the Motel 6 resold those rooms at a hugely inflated price ....you were way better off where you were!
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