Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
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It's a few years away, but what an event for RVers... August 21, 2017, A total solar eclipse will cut a path across the USA. Here's a link to the path of totality...
It will start at the Oregon shore near Lincoln Beach and Fogarty Creek State Park at 10:15AM(local)with 1 minute 50 seconds of totality. By the time it gets to Murphysboro, IL at 1:19PM, totality will be at a maximum 2 minutes and 40 seconds. It then continues SE to South Carolina and the amount of totality reduces the further east it goes.
For RVers, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming(southern portion of the park) may be the best place, awesome scenery and 2 minutes 20 seconds of totality at approximately 11:35AM
Even cooler(Moon shadow Pun intended) is in April 2024 another total solar eclipse will pass through the same spot in southern Illinois as it traverses from SW Texas NE up into New England.
Book you campsites or plan your boondocking locations ahead of the rush. The path of totality is only 70 miles wide. This will be an enormous internet and media event.
Way cool, Brian! Being in the location of an eclipse was already on my bucket list! As soon as things settle down in a few months (hopefully), I shall definitely start planning for it! We should all be alive and well to see it.
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
This will the first Nationwide crossing since 1918 so the number of locations for viewing will be incredible, just remember the path of totality is only 70 miles wide, as they say, "if you aint in the shadow, you were never there". Any high ground or clear view looking west, seeing the Moon's shadow approaching will blow you away. Pray for clear skies at your viewing location or be prepared to get to a back up site if things look dicey weather-wise.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Thursday 27th of March 2014 09:23:43 AM
I know that some hotels are, so it would stand to reason that there some campgrounds out there that would too. I talked to a media friend of mine about it and he said the networks are already lining up locations even this far in advance.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Thursday 27th of March 2014 02:53:28 PM
I see on the maps that the SW portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be in the path of totality. Combine great scenery and natures most spectacular phenomenon, could be a great viewing location for an RVer.
Do you think campgrounds will take reservations this far in advance?
I've checked quite a few places in many states, I have not found anybody taking hard reservations yet although many have lists of people signed up but no rates are available. Campgrounds have the smallest lists compared to available spaces, hotels are running about 1 room requested for every five available. A couple had lists of interested people that was larger than the number of available rooms. Not a single hotel or campground within 50 miles of the centerline path of totality that I checked had received less than 10 inquiries. That's 3 years and 3 months in advance of the event. Hopkinsville, KY seems to be the Solar Eclipse center of the 2017 universe as it is, the nearest "large city" to the point of maximum duration. I still think the parks (Grand Teton and Great Smoky Mountains will be the RVer choices of places to be, but the path runs from coast to coast(albeit only about 70 miles wide) so there will be countless places to see it from.
A very BIG thank you, Brian, Cindi or Josie (the wonder Beagle) who put this out! Got an idea we'll have to set up somewhere outside the 'zone' and drive in for it.
...Got an idea we'll have to set up somewhere outside the 'zone' and drive in for it.
I don't think you'll have to do that. I suspect those that book the key locations as soon as they(campgrounds) commit to hard booking will luck out on all the best places, I suspect many will boondock somewhere along the path. 70miles x 3000+/- miles is a lot of potential bookdocking sites. I'll also bet many will want to hook up and share this event together with friends and/or family.
Maybe Howard and Linda(are you listening?) might organize a rally to combine the event and the RV camaraderie that their rallies have been known for. We likely will not be FT by then, but we might rent a rig for the event.
biggaRView wrote:Maybe Howard and Linda(are you listening?) might organize a rally to combine the event and the RV camaraderie that their rallies have been known for. We likely will not be FT by then, but we might rent a rig for the event.
I second that!!!!
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Cheryl B. in her new RV
(well, not new any more! Full timing since 6/25/14)
2008 DRV MS 36TKBS3 (the CoW: Castle on Wheels), 2005 Ford F550 hauler (the Bull)
We might just have to take a trip to see relatives in Idaho that year. The track shows to go close to Boise, and our family lives in Boise or in Mountain Home.
Terry
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout
Made reservations for two rigs at Wakeside Lake RV Park in Rexburg, ID for that week. The credit card I used to hold the reservations will expire before then so I had them add 'do not cancel without contacting Jodee". Too funny. Especially for us not even having a coach yet and not being ones to plan ahead. But we are excited about being in the shadow and wanted to ensure a good spot so this works.
Thanks so much to Brian and Cindi for the advanced notice!
Still just under 8 months till the big day and every CG in southern Illinois (the area of maximum totality) is booked solid. WOW! We are renting a lake house, 10 miles from the centerline of the path, with family for a mini reunion, should be a fantastic spectacle for the entire family. For those interested, hope you have your spots staked out. This type of event is particularly geared to RVers for obvious reason.
Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
Hope all those interested will be in position for this event. August 21. Here's alink that will show what you can expect to see from any location in the USA.