Salem OR...

I am flying up with a couple of friends from Southern California, and staying in Sheridan.

a few miles south of Salem almost exactly ground zero and away from street lights. It's sort of a boon for me and probably my last chance to see it until I'm in my 90's. or I can wait to catch it in SLC when I'm 121. Oh hell, I'll just watch them all.

In Independence, MO.

I was planning to simply glance out my office window when it happens in Overland Park, KS. This is the third one of my lifetime. The thrill is gone.

Just kidding.

I will probably only go out to show my granddaughter. At two, this is her first solar eclipse.

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=S_475304

They're printed with thermal ink so that you can warm them with your thumb and reveal a full moon.

I just ordered some

I'm planting myself in central Oregon and I'm not sure where everyone else is going!

It will be a most interesting day.

We'll be more towards the coast, just south of Portland.

West of the mountains the atmosphere is much damper.

You're much more likely to have clear skies east of the mountains, which is where we're going.

And the roads are going to be jammed.

You might want to look into this...I'd hate to have you miss it!

How many miles inland would you suggest? We planned on getting up at 3:30, but maybe we'll just screw sleep altogether.

CPeggy is right on. The coast is a gamble but what a sight over the ocean if it was clear. If you go past the coastal range into the Willamette valley you should be pretty safe because August is usually clear and warm... say 60 to 80 miles in from the coast. It's even hot. If you cross the Cascade range into central Oregon it's your best bet on weather but probably very little difference from the valley. That's a major pass to cross and 150 + miles in from the coast. I hear Madras area is the place to be in Central. Salem area in the valley but if your a gambler, Depot Bay or Lincoln City on the coast.

I'll PM you a link for places to stay in Madras. It's centrally located and well within the eclipse path.

I am sorry to upset your plans this much, but I'd hate even more to have you miss it!

We're launching a high altitude balloon from the school where I help with tech.

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-who-what-where-when-and-how


Eclipse: Who? What? Where? When? and How?
Total Solar Eclipse
On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere - the corona - can be seen, will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk.

Who Can See It?
Lots of people! Everyone in the contiguous United States, in fact, everyone in North America plus parts of South America, Africa, and Europe will see at least a partial solar eclipse, while the thin path of totality will pass through portions of 14 states.  


More>>>>https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-who-what-where-when-and-how

I was concerned we wouldn't see it being on the east coast of Fl, but looks like we'll have 75% visibility.

Front row seat.

which includes my sister's house.
If you plan to stay near that totality line good luck on finding a hotel, air bnb or anything else within an hour's drive at this date unless you are willing to pay through the nose. In February when I booked ours, our favorite place to stay up there was already at Kentucky Derby prices. I managed to find a place across the highway in the same chain (earn points of course) beginning the night of (after the show is over) but we are having to stay in Franklin TN on Sunday night which is about a 90 minute drive to the target area. I was actually surprised to find that at a good rate.
Leaving TX on Saturday with an overnight in Little Rock then on to Franklin TN then up to KY for the rest of the week.

To Do: Order tshirts and check in to first day cover cachets from one of the local postoffices in the county. I have a neat collection of those from around the area.