The Eclipse Finale Was A Letdown
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There was a noticeable pause in activity on Main Street Monday during the eclipse as parking spaces were mostly empty. Justin Canterbury (bottom left) was among Main Street workers who waited on the cloud cover to break to see the eclipse.
DAVE’S WORLD
By David Howell
I have to admit, I wasn’t overly excited about the solar eclipse until it got here. Monday started with a busy agenda – a Board of Supervisors meeting was first, then a quick lunch before making the rounds for eclipse coverage. I think it was all the buzz during the morning that finally piqued my interest. Or maybe it was an after-the-fact reaction – the clouds blocked the best view when the moon was almost centered in front of the sun and we were all a little disappointed.
My first stop for eclipse coverage was Blackmur Library and I could see James McCormick’s Hawaiian shirt shining across the parking lot. At that time, the moon was barely visible in front of the sun and anticipation was building. My next stop was Water Valley High School, I knew there would be plenty of students outside and a good photo opportunity. The clouds briefly cooperated and then there was complete cloud cover for about 20 minutes. The next time the clouds dissipated, the moon had blocked about three-quarters of the sun and we all were mesmerized.
I headed back to the office for the finale and to take a few more pictures. Coming down Market Street, it was neat to see people sitting in their lawns and driveways and even pulled over on the side of the road – all looking up.
We live in a fast-paced world and it is a rare occurrence when we collectively pause to enjoy the view. Main Street seemed eerily quiet with little traffic and many of the parking slots empty – another indicator people all over were watching the eclipse.
The next glimpse of the eclipse was heavily filtered by the clouds, with only a small opening allowing a brief glimpse of a sliver of the sun. With the heavy cloud cover, the sun wasn’t bright enough to see looking through the eclipse glasses and I watched it without eye protection and snapped a quick picture. And that was it, the clouds got thicker and all of the Main Street crew went back inside and back to work. It was over and we will wait another 20 years for the next solar eclipse in the United States.
