Oregon reacts to total eclipse
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Oregon, OB, reacts to solar eclipse.
My husband and I made the trek down to Corvallis and the path of totality Sunday evening. We got there in a mere 90 minutes. The projected traffic apocalypse never materialized. By 9 a.m. Monday, we were camped out in a friend's backyard with eclipse glasses, marveling at the tiny black sliver slowly making its way across the sun.
By the time totality began, we were shivering from the drop in temperature. The two minutes of darkness set in. Cheers disrupted the silence, and a few bars of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" reverberated around the yard. The eclipse continued for the next hour, but we moved on. Eclipse glasses were abandoned in the grass. Some relived the moment via cell phone video. We were awed, humbled.
Photo by | Jason Kaplan
Like many Portlanders, we decided to return home post-haste — and spent the next six hours in gridlock traffic.
Foreshadowing of the hours to come. #Eclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/GQvtxLLZBu
— Katy Sword (@KatySword) August 21, 2017
But it’s all a part of the experience.
To celebrate the historic event, here’s a look at how a few fellow OB staffers celebrated the eclipse, as well as statewide reaction.
OB Research Editor Kim Moore
Because of all the talk of terrible congestion, I watched the eclipse from my backyard in Portland. Although it was a solitary event for me, I enjoyed every minute of it. Clear skies gave me a wonderful, stress-free viewing from the beginning to end. I really felt like I was watching the truth and beauty of science. It was humbling. I biked to the Oregon Business office around 11 a.m. when the eclipse was partially over. Unlike much of the hype, Portland traffic was very light. Lighter than on a normal workday.
OB Art Director Joan McGuire
Can't let the bad traffic eclipse the experience of totality! It was super easy coming down Sunday night to Corvallis, and we needed to do it anyway: Our daughter, who's a junior at OSU, starts work on Tuesday. We loaded up the car with all her gear (bike, winter clothes, etc.) and spent the night at her apartment, along with the families of her roommates.
This morning we found a lovely grassy spot right by the volleyball courts on campus, and got to view the spots on the sun through a nearby watcher's telescope. As the temperature dropped and the light grew strange and dusky, the excitement of the hundreds of viewers behind us on the Intramural Field grew. At the moment of totality, everyone began cheering — and that minute was unearthly and strange, and so worth the trip. Unforgettable.
RELATED STORY: Slideshow — 2017 Eclipse
Sen. Jeff Merkley
As shown by today’s #SolarEclipse, scientists know their stuff. Let’s listen up and #ActOnClimate. #TodaysClimateFact https://t.co/BoU2nN2lml
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) August 21, 2017
Gov. Kate Brown
The #Eclipse2017 seen in Salem was absolutely phenomenal! Photos: ? https://t.co/MoFk2Gb8pI pic.twitter.com/EI6Zl4bp2X
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) August 21, 2017
I was so glad to have @nickkristof and his family at the Capitol for the #oreclipse today. An incredible experience! https://t.co/ME4CbDPP6B
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) August 21, 2017
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler
Be safe. Protect your eyes while watching the eclipse... you need special glasses. #eclipse pic.twitter.com/IM5fZAGrXr
— Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) August 21, 2017
NASA Moon
HA HA HA I’ve blocked the Sun! Make way for the Moon. #SolarEclipse2017 pic.twitter.com/nZCoqBlSTe
— NASA Moon (@NASAMoon) August 21, 2017
Provenance Hotel
Solar Eclipse! ? #eclipsewatch2017 pic.twitter.com/WAB3rLttAE
— Provenance Hotels (@ProvenanceHotel) August 21, 2017
Oregon Office of Emergency Management
We encourage everyone to stick around for awhile and enjoy all that Oregon has to offer rather than sit in traffic. #OReclipse pic.twitter.com/xxGrfQg78f
— OregonOEM (@OregonOEM) August 21, 2017
Secretary of State Dennis Richardson
Had the pleasure of chatting with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist @NickKristof during today's eclipse @OregonCapitol #eclipse17 pic.twitter.com/IROmN0gsRw
— Dennis Richardson (@OregonSOS) August 21, 2017
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Well that flew by. Now what to do with all those glasses.... https://t.co/LHSKqhNu9J
— OregonDEQ (@OregonDEQ) August 21, 2017
Oregon State University
#Eclipse2017 #OSU150 pic.twitter.com/Ck15QH14i6
— Oregon State (@OregonState) August 21, 2017
University of Oregon
We got a few Ducks together at the @UO_EMU to watch the eclipse ?? #EclipseWeek #UOregon pic.twitter.com/jT5Pr1PNtN
— University of Oregon (@uoregon) August 21, 2017
Multnomah County Sheriff
Even #K9 Spencer is excited to check out the #Eclipse2017 - make sure to protect your eyes while looking at the sun! pic.twitter.com/w6tq5zUeae
— Multnomah Co Sheriff (@MultCoSO) August 21, 2017
Oregon Department of Energy
Happy eclipse day! Traffic is building up and TripCheck is your friend. #OReclipse #Eclipse2017 https://t.co/SCtW9KJ541
— OR Dept. of Energy (@ODOEnergy) August 21, 2017
OMSI
Happening now: Final countdown to 99.4% eclipse in Portland pic.twitter.com/5LwNXb1NFo
— OMSI (@OMSI) August 21, 2017
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Shining a light on employment in the path of #SolarEclipse2017 https://t.co/7IU1QBHPzf #BLSdata pic.twitter.com/JeEMkQkJE6
— BLS-Labor Statistics (@BLS_gov) August 21, 2017