We have come to the big day for the total eclipse going all the way across America. We have driven a long way just for this moment this afternoon. Last night we decided that after the eclipse, we would head toward home but would go a longer way through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and then to Texas so we would be packed and ready to leave when the eclipse was over. So we got our car packed, had a great breakfast at a place we discovered called Peter D's at which we ate dinner on Saturday night and then breakfast this morning. Then we stacked out a place in the parking lot outside our hotel below a tree giving great shade, set up our lawn chairs and began the watch of the eclipse. A few minutes after 11:59, we began to see a small bite out of the sun as the shadow of the moon began its encroachment on the sun. It was fascinating to watch and it went really fast it seemed. After it started at 11:59 or so, it went to totality at 1:34 or so and was over by 2:00. But what a awesome sight it was to watch. At totality, it became dusk immediately and the sky all around had the look of a sunset, all automatic lights in the hotels and parkings lots came on, all shadows disappeared and then suddenly it was coming back. The corona (glow around the moon from the sun) was awesome and we were able to look at it without glasses for maybe 30-40 seconds before the sun peeped back out on the other side of the shadow. Then everything starting brightening up and it was done. It brought tears to my eyes in its show of the sovereignty of God in his universe, his creation and our lives. This is a first I will never forget although it may have taken less time than any other thing. I can not wait for the one that will happen in Texas on August 8, 2024, and go right over our river place in Kempner. This may or may not have been a sign or warning from God as many say, but it was certainly a manifestation of God. "Rise up above the sky, O God! May your splendor cover the whole earth!" Psalms 57:5 NET
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| Our little camp out for the eclipse |
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| Tried to take photo but didn't work although only about an eighth of sun was shining |
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| Don't know exactly what Harry hoped to see! |
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| Used this bus shadow as example of how it was before and during eclipse |
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| Sky and car lights during eclipse |
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| Parking lot lights came on during eclipse |
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Tiny bit of sun showing and sky lighting up
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| Totality aken at Ft. Bragg |
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| NASA photo of totality |
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My favorite photo of totality of eclipse
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After we left Murphreesboro, we headed toward Alabama to spend the night in Tuscaloosa. Our wrought took us through Lynchburgh, TN, home of Jack Daniels whiskey so we stopped by at their visitor's center. The interesting thing about the whiskey brewery is that it is in a dry county in Tennessee so tastings can't take place there. It was interesting to see the place which has kind of turned into a Jack Daniel's Disneyland. The most interesting thing we saw was the barrel shop where they take old whiskey barrels and make them into furniture and other decorative items for homes--if that's how you want to decorate.
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| Historical marker for the distillery |
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| Inside the learning center at Jack Daniels Distillery |
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The gift shop, barrel shop for Jack Daniels
Along with all these firsts, another occurred for me today: I visited the state of Alabama for the first time.
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