Eclipse Camping

[Merlin]

I had started a thread in the old LL forum about a camping trip for the solar eclipse August 21. We found a site (there are still a few left as of 1-11-17) at Lake Malone State Park just a few miles north of Hopkinsville, KY, which is the location of the maximum length of totality in the U.S. The other state parks and federal areas in the western KY and TN area in the eclipse path closest to us to drive from Michigan were all booked already, though there are some sites at KOAs and other private campgrounds around Nashville, TN. Here's hoping for clear weather!

[gibby]

The problem with booking a spot is the weather! Will it be clear there?

We are going to start picking a location 3 or 4 days before (once we start seeing the "Forecast") but in reality, it might not be until the previous morning that we start heading in a direction.

Our nearest point for the eclipse from home is just over 1000 km, so I want to pick a spot that will have clear skies. Even the side of the road is good in this case.

[abodyjoe]

i reserved a spot in Murphy, NC..  should be in totality for 2m26s at 2:34pm

   seems like a lot of people are gonna be staying in the path to see it.  i was afraid that if i waited to get a spot that i'd have trouble finding a place..


  weather is just a chance i have to take..   vacation is vacation..

[Merlin]

Sure enough, the weather will be the joker. We picked a spot with easy access to a main highway going E-W, so if the weather is clear in either direction within about 200 miles (4 hours) either way, we'll head out. Of course, we'll hope first for clear skies in western KY. Based on our search, camping and motels will be filled in the totality path. Many are even offering a 2-night "Eclipse Package", so those in the path know about it!

[abodyjoe]

Based on our search, camping and motels will be filled in the totality path. Many are even offering a 2-night "Eclipse Package", so those in the path know about it!

yea i found the same thing..   i know quite a few campgrounds are making special events out of the eclipse...

its funny..  the wife and i had been talking about finding a place to see the eclipse.  at soccer practice for the kids a good friend says he and his family are making a vacation to the tennessee area out of the eclipse..       we just laughed and told them that we were also..    so th eword is out and it sounds like its going to be a popular thing..

[mojospeople]

Thanks to this thread and another email advertising an eclipse camping weekend, I went and found a campsite in the area of totality. Merlin, we'll be just up the road from you at Land Between the Lakes.  I was super excited to find a spot. I reserved for Friday night leaving Monday after the eclipse. This will be a two birds, one stone trip since we've been wanting to check out the mountain bike trails there for years but haven't. Like you mentioned, we'll be watching the weather and forecast and will be on the move if we have to. Hopefully we won't have to.

[Merlin]

I worked at Land Between the Lakes for 6 years back in the '80s. I'm sure we'll be visiting there as part of our trip. If we see a biker flash by at light speed we'll know it was you. 

If you take your dog(s), make sure they are pre-treated for ticks. There are a LOT of ticks in LBL. You'll be fine on the trails, but dogs can wander off into ticky places.

[mojospeople]

Thanks for the advice. We are well versed in tick prevention and treatment. It's a battle every year and in our neck of the woods in Illinois the ticks can and do carry Lyme disease so we are vigilant.

[Chappy133]

Merlin I was at the 101st at Fort Campbell 1982-1985. We did at least one exercise in LBL. Surprised a few parkers while driving under black out conditions and night vision goggles.

[leslie]

Merlin, I told you I would let you know what we decided to do about the solar eclipse. Well, we will be staying in Maine and not going to the eclipse. Last summer, when we were in Illinois, we met some fellow campers who live in Maine. We are going to their rally, which coincides with the eclipse. I am sorry to miss the eclipse, but I can't be 2 places at once. This means we will have 2 rallied in one month. The RV life just keeps getting better.

[FastEddieB]

We have property on an airstrip in Lenoir City, TN. "X" marks the spot:



You can see its not far from the line of totality.

We should have room for a handful of dry campers - at least four or five.  It's a long ways off, but keep it in mind.

And Murphy is right down the road from our home in N GA - don't be a stranger.

[FastEddieB]

For pilots and anyone curious, we flew up to the property yesterday and Karen filmed a takeoff from there in our Sky Arrow:

https://youtu.be/98bB-QFSXt4

Here's the camping area we cleared and fenced off:



No power or water yet, but should be soon. Room for at least 2 RV's, but lots of flat ground around which is why I think we could handle eve 5 or 6 dry campers short-term.

Just about 3 1/2 miles off I-75 where it splits off from I-40 (US321).

[Merlin]

Wow, great video! You're lucky to have your private site in the past of totality and close to the maximum time path. Cool.

[tco2612]

Very NICE

[Icstrz]

FasteddieB Im an amateur astronomer with a 21 BHS.  Any chance you still have room for one more at your place?