So does everyone have their plans ready for Monday, August 21? It's been 99 years since the last total solar eclipse traversed the entire lower-48. For those of us in the Atlanta metro area, we are simply too close to NOT travel a short distance north to see this great celestial event.
Our home town of Jasper will experience 99.1% totality. The city of Atlanta will experience 97%. From everything I've read, however, even 99.9% will not be the same experience as 100% totality, however. So Carol and I will be joining the masses on the roadways that weekend to get about 50 miles further north. We have reservations in a beautiful RV resort in Blairsville, GA where we will experience one minute 59 seconds of totality! Woohoo!
If you haven't already made travel plans, quite frankly it's probably too late to find a campsite or motel reservation within the path. Due to the proximity, a lot of Atlantans will be making a day trip. Be aware, however, that state and local transportation authorities are already preparing for "hurricane evacuation style" traffic on Monday, August 21. The primary road from Atlanta to the best viewing will north on I-85. If even a small percentage of metro's 5.7 million people decide to play hooky from work that day, they could find themselves viewing the eclipse from the side of the road somewhere. The following article provides important travel details and actually uses the Atlanta metro area as a prime example in the article.
https://www.space.com/37234-expect-solar-eclipse-traffic-jams.html
Bottom line, if you don't have reservations somewhere and plan to travel on the big day, leave early! Do some research and plan to arrive at a public park, shopping center parking lot, or some other unobstructed viewing area. Many communities are hosting eclipse viewing events/parties. Do a search for your intended destination to find out where the best viewing sites may be and if there are public events already planned where you could join the party.
Not only will the roadways be clogged but cell phone service may be a bit sketchy leading up to the event as well. The wireless networks will be clogged with streaming video and social media activity. Experts suggest that text messaging may be a better way to communicate due to the expected, heavy volume of wireless usage. If you have a genuine need for 911 assistance, experts say to be patient as there may be a delayed response time.
Also, don't forget a pair of eclipse viewing glasses for everyone in your party. They are available online, including Amazon. I saw them for sale at our local Kroger this week as well. For those of us in the path of totality, these are essential during the pre and post phases of the eclipse. If you will not be in the path of totality, they will be required for the entire event.
The best advice is to "get to the shadow" early, stay put, and stay safe!
