So, we left Bend OR in the early morning of the eclipse and headed east to ‘get away from the crowds.’ We decided a spot near water would be good so we found Chickahominy Reservoir off of Rt. 20 and stopped there. The terrain there was pretty much like a desert, except for this oasis of a reservoir. There were a couple other eclipsers there, and by the time we got there the eclipse was already about 50% through. As we were driving we could tell a difference in the quality of the light.
So, we sat there with our glasses (only looking a few seconds at a time so as not to injure our eyes 🙂 ) and watched the moon pass in front of the sun. There were some birds around and they got quiet for a little while. We actually were not in a place of totality, but around 99.6% or so. And, as I had heard previously, it doesn’t get uber dark when you’re not in a location of totality. But the light had an eerie quality to it. Not exactly dusk. Not dark but not light. It was cool to be in a place that was so quiet.
After that, a non-exciting drive back to Reno passing through a few little towns (one was Litchfield – population 35). We stopped for smoothies in one place but otherwise just drove back to Reno.
In the evening we had dinner at Chipotle and went to see “Hitman’s Bodyguard.” If you like action movies, this movie is the one for you. I enjoyed it.
Here are some pics from yesterday’s fun:
Chickahominy Reservoir
Crappy eclipse photo with glasses on my camera
Lake Abert
Festive smoothie place in Lakeview, OR