The Path of Totality: Our Solar Eclipse Experiences in 2017 and 2024

There’s a unique feeling that builds in the final minutes before a total solar eclipse. It’s a quiet, electric nervousness, a sense of anticipation for a celestial event that is both perfectly predictable and utterly surreal. You can read about it, you can see pictures, but nothing prepares you for the profound sense of awe that washes over you when the world goes dark in the middle of the day. It connects you to the vastness of the universe and the incredible precision of science all at once.

Our first taste of this was in 2017. It was a spectacular introduction, a moment that hooked us instantly and planted the seed for the next chase.

Our 2017 Solar Eclipse Adventure:
In 2017, we flew into Denver and made our way to Wyoming, eager to catch the solar eclipse. Despite our best efforts to reach Casper, WY, we found ourselves rushing against time and ultimately had to settle for a spot on the side of the road. As the moon began to obscure the sun, we noticed the temperature drop and the sky darken, creating an eerie twilight effect. The 360-degree sunset that surrounded us was breathtaking, and the experience left us feeling humbled and inspired.

The 2024 Scramble: Planning for Totality

Seven years later, armed with the memory of that first experience, the plan for the 2024 eclipse was more ambitious. It became a logistical puzzle to solve. The goal wasn’t just to be in the path of totality, but to get as close to the center line as possible. Every second of darkness counts, and the difference between three minutes on the edge and over four minutes in the center is everything.

The days leading up were a scramble of checking weather forecasts, analyzing maps, and planning our route to a small town in Texas that promised the longest duration. It’s a calculated gamble, but one that heightens the entire experience.

We knew we had to witness another total solar eclipse. This time, I did extensive research to find the best location along the path of totality. I discovered that the duration of totality varies depending on how close you are to the center of the path, with some cities offering a longer viewing time than others. We decided on Dallas, Texas, for the April 8th, 2024 solar eclipse, as it promised a stunning 4 minutes and 21 seconds of totality!

Our 2024 Texas Eclipse Experience:
We drove down to Ennis, TX, which was even closer to the center of the path of totality, to maximize our viewing experience. The anticipation was building as we waited for the midday wonder, armed with our safe solar-viewing glasses. As the moon slowly covered the sun, we watched in amazement as the sky darkened and the temperature dropped. When totality hit, we removed our glasses and marveled at the sun’s ethereal corona and the shimmering solar flares dancing around the moon’s silhouette. It was a moment of pure magic that we’ll cherish forever.

Getting Ready:

The beginning when everyone was loosing it:

There we were, set up in our chosen spot, staring up at the sky. Those final moments felt like a lifetime. There’s a shared energy in the air, a collective holding of breath as the final sliver of sun prepares to vanish.

The Moment the World Changes

When it finally happens, it is absolute magic. The world doesn’t just go dark; it transforms. A 360-degree sunset appears on the horizon, bathing everything in an eerie, beautiful dawn-like glow. The temperature drops noticeably, a sudden coldness that makes the hair on your arms stand up. The birds and insects, confused by the sudden night, react—a brief, strange silence falls. It’s a full sensory experience.

For photography, I had a standard Canon and my Pixel 7 Pro. I was amazed at how well the phone performed, capturing the corona with unexpected clarity. It’s a great lesson that you don’t always need the fanciest professional gear to capture incredible moments.

This is where we stared in awe…

And then it was ending leaving us with unexpected feelings

A Moment Out of Time

During the darkness, I couldn’t help but wonder how people in the past must have reacted to this. With no science to explain why the sun had vanished, it must have felt like the end of the world, a moment of divine intervention or terror. It’s humbling to think about, and it gives you a profound appreciation for the knowledge we have today—the ability to see it not as an omen, but as a beautiful, predictable dance of the cosmos.

The Nerdy Stuff: What We Actually Witnessed

In the moment, I was too swept up in the awe to process the science. But this post is also my chance to research and figure out all the nerdy stuff behind what we saw. The experience is filled with phenomena that have fascinating explanations:

• The Temperature Drop: This is the most straightforward effect. With the sun’s light and radiant energy blocked by the moon, the temperature on the ground can drop by 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit, creating that sudden, noticeable chill.
• The 360-Degree Sunset: While you are in the moon’s shadow, you are still able to see the distant atmosphere that isn’t. The reddish glow on the horizon is essentially the light from the sun scattering through the atmosphere far away from you, just like a normal sunset.
• Animal Reactions: Many animals are governed by circadian rhythms tied to light. The sudden, premature darkness confuses them. Birds may go quiet and return to their nests, and crickets might start chirping, tricked into thinking night has fallen.
• Baily’s Beads & The Diamond Ring: In the seconds right before and after totality, the last rays of sunlight peek through the rugged valleys on the moon’s edge, creating a string of bright spots called Baily’s Beads. When only one bead is left, it shines with the faint corona to create the stunning “Diamond Ring” effect.

Beyond the Shadow: Exploring Fort Worth and Dallas

Of course, the trip wasn’t just about those four minutes of darkness. We took the opportunity to explore the surrounding area, from the famous Fort Worth Stockyards cattle walk to the legendary Ennis Buc-ee’s. Texas has a culture all its own, and the food alone was worth the trip.

Flying Back from Texas, we were humbled by the uninterrupted sun yet again.

Why Everyone Should Chase a Solar Eclipse:
Witnessing a total solar eclipse is a humbling reminder of our place in the universe and the incredible beauty of nature. It’s an experience that transcends age, culture, and background, bringing people together in a shared moment of wonder. The feeling of standing in the moon’s shadow, watching the sun’s corona shimmer in the darkened sky, is simply indescribable. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event that everyone should strive to experience at least once.

Upcoming Solar Eclipses:
If you missed the 2017 and 2024 solar eclipses, don’t worry! There are plenty of opportunities to catch this celestial wonder in the coming years. Some notable upcoming solar eclipses include:

• August 12, 2026: Total solar eclipse visible from the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain
• August 2, 2027: Total solar eclipse visible from Morocco, Spain, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia
• July 22, 2028: Total solar eclipse visible from Australia, New Zealand, and Chile

Start planning your solar eclipse adventure today and prepare to be amazed by the universe’s incredible wonders!

Flying home, watching the real sunset paint the sky from the airplane window, I was left with a feeling of deep satisfaction. Chasing an eclipse is more than just a trip; it’s a pursuit of wonder. It’s a reminder of how vast our world is and how incredible it is to be able to understand even a small piece of it. The chase is officially on for the next one.