Countdown to Eclipse

David looks out over the hazy Whiskey River Basin from the Glacier Trail

It is now 9 days before the eclipse.  Wyoming skies are very hazy from all the western fires and on top of that, there have been lots of clouds and rain.   While we knew fires were possible as well as clouds, our thinking earlier in June was that Wyoming would have a good shot at being clear for the eclipse.

We made an exploratory trip to the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole and it was even hazier there than when we first arrived in Wyoming.  Very disappointing as the Grand Tetons are one of our most favorite places.  Other campers have told us that Idaho skies are just as bad or worse and we keep hearing about the crazy prices that are being charged to camp in parking lots or fields with no water or other services.  It is looking now like Nebraska would have been a better choice.  Oh well, even with perfect weather, one stray cloud with poor timing can drift across the sun at just the wrong 2 minutes – so we’ve decided to stay in Wyoming and take our chances.

Mt Moran in the Grand Tetons -- pretty hazy with all the nearby fires

Mt Moran in October of 2012 -- our first year on the road

Skies were so much clearer then

Luck was with us on finding a campground.  Northwest of Dubois in the Wind River Range of the Shoshone National Forest, we found a great National Forest campground for $10 a night!  And we even have electricity.  Falls Campground is on Brooks Lake Creek and there is a beautiful water fall within easy strolling distance.  Honestly, if we hadn’t found this place, we would still be wandering around wondering where we were going to be for the eclipse.  We have Trudy at the forest ranger’s office, to thank for helping us find such a beautiful and remote place to camp with many trails to hike and three wilderness areas nearby.

Meadow at Falls Campground where we hope to view the eclipse

Our plan is to stay in our little campground without the crowds and hike and maybe make some day trips to the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone or other places nearby.  Dubois, Jackson Hole and other towns are having several eclipse events – lectures, concerts and tours and we may try to take advantage of some of those things.

Brooks Lake Creek Falls by our campground

So, we won’t be fighting crowds or desperately seeking a parking space/camping place at the Casper, WY Walmart after all.  I will try to make a blog entry or two before the eclipse but because of our remoteness, the nearest Internet service is in Dubois about 25 miles away. (Which is where we are this morning having a great breakfast at the Cowboy Café.)  You will hear from me for sure right after the eclipse as we will be streaking home in Silver for the start of school on August 28.

Now if only the rain and wind will clear the smoke away and the skies will not be cloudy all day, we could see an eclipse.