Wonder of Wonders

A solar eclipse in Austin

Debbie is something of an eclipse chaser. A couple years ago, we ventured to Antarctica hoping we would see an eclipse but, alas, despite all that effort, it was grey and cloudy. In the wee, wee hours of the morning as we stood on the ship’s deck with a couple hundred eclipse chasers also staring upward, the birds suddenly disappeared and everything stilled. It got dark and then darker and then the moon passed the sun and the sky lightened again. We didn’t see the eclipse, of course, but we were there and it was absolutely worth it.

When she learned there would be an eclipse this year with the path of totality arcing across the United States, Debbie immediately began figuring out how and where we would finally see an eclipse. This time, we ventured to Austin, TX where we would see the eclipse and participate in some programming around the event with the Simons Foundation.

The flight into Austin was full. The airport was hot and crowded and chaotic. People were buzzing with excitement. I walked into the hotel and a woman who looked uncannily like Gayle King walked by but I thought there was no way Gayle King could be in Austin. Later I learned she was, indeed, in Austin. As I checked in, I learned that the CMT Music Awards would be held that same night. Our hotel was lousy with country music stars and their significant others and entourages. I also saw a sparkly gold cowboy boot that was nearly as tall as me.