Eclipse2017 - Your Destination?

Just curios with an informal survey here...if you plan on traveling to get in the middle of the eclipse path...where you headed...assuming the weather reports are agreeable?

I'm in Texas...taking a couple of buddies in the RV and headed to Wyoming...close to Grand Teton National Park which will be crowded, I'm sure.

What about you?

Smoky Mountains or near by.

Silver Point, Tn, just west of Cookeville

Alliance, NE was all full up in every venue so I am camping 10 miles NW in Hemmingford, NE. If sunny, that allows 2 min 18 sec of total vs. 2 min 30 sec.

Somewhere around either Sparta or Spring City, Tennessee. I plan on scouting out locations this week. Not sure how crowded either area will be.

I'm lucky to only have to travel about 30 miles north to be near the centerline of the eclipse. Even though where I live will experience totality, I'll gain almost an extra minute by doing this and hopefully have an area that won't suffer from an abundance of people. One of the nice things of living all your life in Missouri and knowing about some "off the beaten path" places as I expect a majority of Missourians will be in their backyard or at the many events being planned at more well known locales.

Heading up to Idaho next week. They are predicting some pretty crazy number of visitors on the morning of the eclipse. Good luck all.
Best,
Steve

DMax82 wrote in post #18420359
Somewhere around either Sparta or Spring City, Tennessee. I plan on scouting out locations this week. Not sure how crowded either area will be.

Our primary destination is Spring City, TN as well. Had seen an article last week saying there could be up to 9,000 people in town for the event. We'll be coming from southeast Kentucky that morning (as early as humanly possible).

Chained to my desk in Pennsylvania.

Living vicariously through all of you!

kinless wrote in post #18422061
Our primary destination is Spring City, TN as well. Had seen an article last week saying there could be up to 9,000 people in town for the event. We'll be coming from southeast Kentucky that morning (as early as humanly possible).

I hope that "we" is referring to you and the dream team! So just out of curiosity, how did you settle on Spring City? Did you do a lot of research? I'm am starting to get paranoid that everywhere is going to be super chaotic. I've only passed through Spring City once a few years ago. I know the Sparta area pretty well, and think that Scott's Gulf/Virgin Falls could be amazing.

I am accepting bribes from anyone who does not want me to travel to their location. The reason being that when there is an eclipse of any kind it is invariably cloudy wherever I happen to be. I haven't tested this hypothesis against a desert locale, but I wouldn't bet on it.

DMax82 wrote in post #18422478
I hope that "we" is referring to you and the dream team! So just out of curiosity, how did you settle on Spring City? Did you do a lot of research? I'm am starting to get paranoid that everywhere is going to be super chaotic. I've only passed through Spring City once a few years ago. I know the Sparta area pretty well, and think that Scott's Gulf/Virgin Falls could be amazing.

Haha, no just me and the parents. We're visiting family in Kentucky/Alabama and the totality line runs right between, so our choice was more out of convenience. Eclipse duration maps show Spring City is right on the cusp of 2m 40s near the centerline, and we didn't want to deal with what's sure to be large crowds in the bigger cities or state parks.

Don't blame you for being paranoid, nobody has any idea what spectators will do or where they'll go. I can only imagine the mad rush if clouds starting becoming an issue. Gonna be a 4 hour drive for us (assuming no traffic or weather diversions) so can't make Spring City until 9-10am EDT. (I think that's way too late!) But from the town's website and FB page, they're setting up many viewing areas, designated parking, shuttle service, etc. Some folks are even opening up their private homes/properties (for a few bucks a person) for hosting viewing parties/gatherings or overflow parking. So it sounds like they're all heavily coordinating in anticipation of what's to come.

Leaving Atlanta on the 19th for Murfreesboro TN, which is just inside the path of totality. If the weather forecast is for clear skies, we'll stay there and drive another hour to the centerline - somewhere near Lebanon TN on the 21st. If the forecast isn't good, we'll drive east or west looking for clear skies.

I have to say this thread is confirming earlier reports that I read...that higher concentrations of the population would descend upon the Tennessee-Kentucy region. That was my first choice to cut down on driving...but can't complain about being in Wyoming.

Not to be trusted at all this far out, but just having some fun with Accuweather:

Greenville, SC
84°
Partly sunny with a thunderstorm possible

Lebanon, TN
85°
Mostly cloudy

Jefferson City, MO
86°
A shower or thunderstorm possible

Douglas, WY
95°
Sunny and warmer (note to self...never move here!)

Salem, OR
83°
Abundant sunshine

And here's a map showing the chances of clear skies based on historical data. Looking good out west!

https://www.accuweathe​r.com …e-eclipse-occurs/70002392