Eclipse 2024
For three and a half minutes mid-afternoon on April 8, 2024, the sun over a band of upstate New York disappeared behind the new moon, resulting in a total solar eclipse. Totality was shockingly brief, but well worth the drive.
Preparation
This may be a once-in-a-lifetime event, so I wanted to make the most of it. I very highly recommend the educational videos and app created by PhotoPills. The step-by-step guide detailed the astronomy of eclipses, where and when to see it, and especially how to photograph it.
I used the app to determine an optimal place to view the eclipse, and visited the site to use the augmented reality feature to visualize the image. In the end, I decided to forego the picture in order to enjoy the experience with my people… I wouldn’t have traded it!
Packing List
Eclipse glasses recommended by the American Astronomical Society.
Nikon D750, a full-frame 24 megapixel SLR
Tamron A022, a 150-600mm zoom lens
Tamron TC-X14, a 1.4x teleconverter
NiSi Solar Filter, a 16.6-stop neutral density filter
A pier on Lake Champlain aligned perfectly with totality.
Eclipse Mania
Towns in the path of totality really embraced the eclipse fever! I loved seeing the local spirit.
Mad Science
We were joined by some brainiacs from MIT’s Haystack Observatory, who set up equipment to measure proton flux in the ionosphere. Incredibly sensitive GPS receivers transmitted live data in order for scientists to monitor changes as part of a series of eclipse projects. (At the end it reads, “amateur participants who are hosting these receivers”… that was us! What a trip!)
Read more about the project at sciencesprings, and view the data at Haystack’s project site.
On the Way to Totality
Totality panorama by Becky Pineo.
Totality was breathtaking. Mind-scrambling. Shocking. Tear-jerking.
Where to Next?
Maybe Snæfellsjökull National Park, Iceland… in 2026, totality there will last 2 mins 10 seconds, and hover only 25 degrees above the western horizon. The challenges of photographing there make me feel extra fortunate we enjoyed such a good show here in New England.
Maybe Australia in 2028.
San Francisco
Three trips in one:
A long weekend in Sonoma & Napa
A few days in Carmel & Big Sur
Exploring San Francisco
Arizona
Red rocks and FINALLY the Grand Canyon. #BucketList
When my company sent me to Phoenix for meetings on the eve of a holiday weekend, I decided it would be silly not to take advantage. I booked my return for the following Tuesday, giving me four days to explore Arizona.
Red Rocks State Park
Tuzigoot
With the federal government shut down, I only got to see Tuzigoot from the locked entrance gate.
Jerome
This tiny copper mining town perched on Cleopatra Hill now houses art galleries, cafes, and glorious views of the Verde Valley.
Sedona
Moonrise hot tub
Sunrise hike at Airport Road
Oak Creek Canyon State Park
I took the scenic drive north from Sedona so that I could meander through Oak Creek Canyon, stopping at the West Fork for a hike.
Sunset Crater National Monument
Grand Canyon National Park
![Bright [Snow] Angel Trail](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58cb29d4d482e91781bc0952/1548546583001-K2W8QNK4DPA32U311SPG/P1030015.JPG)
Meteor Crater
Driving from Winslow
Barcelona
Architecture, narrow winding streets, and beach castles.
My Seattle-based friends Jeremy and Sonja and their 5-year-old Alex have been traveling Europe since last June (lucky!) I had been thinking about hopping the pond to say hi for a while, but it wasn’t until they decided stay put for a few weeks that our schedules aligned enough to make it possible. Where? Barcelona? DONE.
Hotel
La Passatge de Vilaret was the perfect little street for our gang to hang out… my hotel at No. 13, and Jeremy & Sonja’s little apartment at No. 21. Beyond being convenient to each other, these units were three blocks away from La Sagrada Família. The bed in my place was painfully uncomfortable, but the prime location, good price, and futon mattress available for stacking made it the perfect choice.
Food
Some favorite finds in the city:
Restaurante Renoi, right next to our hotel close to Sagrada Familia
Irati, just off La Rambla
La Sagrada Familia
La Rambla and Barri Gòtic
Beach
Block of Discord
Park Güell
Hilltop view
Sant Pau
Roman Wall
Cathedral
MonTjuic: Cable Car, Castle, and Park
Fountain and Art Museum
The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya serves as a gorgeous viewpoint or backdrop for watching the fountain show. This evening spectacle draws a great crowd, even in the off-season. Looking down from the museum, you are treated to a beautiful view of the four columns, the fountain, and the promenade leading to Plaça d'Espanya.
Las Arenas and Caixa ForuM
Flamenco at Palau de la Música Catalana
I knew I wanted to see the Palau, and splurging on a show provided an ideal opportunity to enjoy the full experience. Barcelona y Flamenco mesmerized us! While photography is not allowed during the show, check their website for some incredible footage.
Dali Muesum
Girona
Well, Girona deserves its own post. :)
Girona
Lovely little town in Spain made famous by Season 6 GoT (spoiler alert!)
SPOILER ALERT: This page references plot lines from GoT Season 6.
I’m not such a Game of Thrones nut that I’d travel the globe looking for filming locations, but the cinematography is so outstanding that I couldn’t drive past the town without getting off the highway. As it turned out, Girona made for a fantastic evening.
#1: Girona Cathedral
This is a spectacular sight, especially if you’re a GoT fan. Climb the very stairs that Jamie Lannister rode his horse up, to the spot where Margaery prepares for her Walk of Atonement, and the building that collapsed in a great green explosion. There is no ocean view… for that, you need a top-notch CGI department.
#2: Plaza del Jurats
What better place to stage a play than on a stage used for plays? This is where Arya sees the satire of her family and dramatized murder of Joffrey.
#3: Dry Creek Bed
The water and the giant statue are clearly CGI, but this asymmetrical stone arch bridge is unmistakeable.
S06E07: Arya gets stabbed by the Waif
#4: Sant Pere de Galligants
This landmark was closed when we arrived, but the surrounding gardens afforded us nice views of the architecture. The interior of this building was used, but obviously the exterior looks nothing like what’s shown onscreen.
S06E10: Sam arrives at the Citadel
#5: Arabic Baths
What a fabulous gem nested in this town. Arya only skirted through here for a moment, but it’s worth lingering. Don’t expect to see naked guys getting steamed… unless, you know… you travel with some eclectic friends.
S06E08: Arya Stark kills the Waif
#6: Carrer Sant Llorenc
While we’re on the topic of Arya being chased through the streets of Braavos by a murderous waif…
#7: Pujada de Sant Domenec & Església de Sant Martí Sacosta
Arya leapt from a nearby wall and then tumbled down these stairs knocking over fruit baskets along the way. We got there late, but the Barcelona Film Commission website has some daytime pics & info.
Other Views of Girona
Besides the spots famed for GoT screen-time, Girona is filled with fun nooks and crannies to explore.
The original town of Girona was surrounded by defensive walls and towers, many of which can still be climbed today for stunning views of the city.
Mommy & Maddox Tour Vermont
Spending time touring lovely New England scenery with my dog.
Maddox and I spend the day driving the meandering roads through the hills of Vermont. The weather didn't cooperate initially… I suppose the overcast skies lend a sort of gloomy mood. But the afternoon sun peeked out long enough for us to enjoy some walks in the woods and snacks on a blanket outside the Vermont Country Store.
Buttercream Falls
Horses graze at Jenne Farm
Jenne Road
View from Coolidge State Historic Site
Breakfast at the South Woodstock Country Store
Rock Candy at the Vermont Country Store
Maddox at Buttermilk Falls
Niagara Trip
Mom’s 70th birthday trip.
Okay, so it wasn’t my trip. But since my mom is a homebody at heart, having a trip to Niagara Falls on her bucket list was a big deal. I decided that on her 70th birthday, it was time to get those plans in motion.
NH Foliage Tour
Enjoying the gorgeous autumn colors in my new state.
Kristina and I went in search of some good foliage views.
Provincetown
Beach time with the fur babies
Whale watching at Race Point Beach, Provincetown
Cross-Country Road Trip
Across the country in two weeks… two dogs, a camper, and me.
Since my trip across country generated its own stories, this post is a compilation of other posts. Click here to see a complete list.
St Thomas
Beaches and cocktails!
Five days of sand, surf, and lots of rum.
Mango Ahi Nachos at the Sunset Grille in Secret Harbor
Freezing our butts off and drinking coconut rum at Magic Ice
Swimming with the sea lions at Coral World
Seeing the statue of the real Captain Jack Sparrow at Blackbeard's Castle
Wandering aimlessly on the Bridge to Nowhere
Alaska
Calving glaciers, baby seals, and a flight to base camp.
I couldn’t leave Seattle without a quick spin to Alaska! I flew into Anchorage, had a few nights in town to enjoy a “midnight sun” BBQ, took a day trip to Talkeetna for a flight seeing tour of Denali, and then a few nights in Seward and a kayak trip in Aialik Bay to watch the calving glacier.
Scotland and Ireland
Castles and rolling hills and scotch… magical in so many ways.
Edinburgh
Wallace Monument and Sterling Castle
Countryside
Highland Castles
Ireland
Amsterdam & France
Amsterdam, Paris, and the Mediterranean coast.
Three weeks in France was long enough for me to forget which mailbox was mine when I got back home.
Mt St Helens
The only hike where the summit is an absolute must.
There's nothing like climbing a volcano with a volcanologist.
Mt St Helens is a hike broken into three distinct parts:
The peaceful stroll through the woods.
The hand-over-fist scramble over rough (and sometimes sharp) boulders... swap out your hiking poles for leather-palmed gloves in some places).
The long slog up the biggest sand (actually ash) dune you've ever seen in your life, where every step forward includes a half-step slid back.
This is the ONE hike where the summit is absolutely worth it. Since the hike comes up the back side, it means you don't get to see the view into the crater until you get to the edge. Just be careful to not get too close... lest the volcano make lunch of you.
Also, you can do this hike in a day... but it's a hard day if you don't get your ass out of bed on time. While the sunset is lovely, it's not comforting to know that you've got to find your way down in the dark.
Australia II
A three-week tour of the southwest corner of the continent down undah.
This three-week trip began and ended in Perth with a visit to my friend Louise to celebrate her wedding to Greg. From there, a counter-clockwise loop around the southeast of corner of Australia.
Bicycle ride around Rottnest Island, with gorgeous ocean views and adorable quokkas eager to share fresh water
Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin
The Gap and Natural Bridge
Permberton Forest, including the Bicentennial Tree and Valley of the Giants
Sterling Range day hike
Pinnacles, Nambung National Park
