Eclipse Plans and Lodging
What is all this eclipse nonsense? Well, it’s a rare opportunity to see this legendary astronomical phenomenon in a pretty accessible part of the U.S. with (probably) good weather. Tons of info at NASA’s eclipse page including maps and schedules. There’s also an amazing interactive Google Map. The eclipse will hit North America in Mexico and move northeast all the way to Maine and Canada. It’ll hit us at around 1:35p Central.
Current April 7 camping headcount: 13. We have space for 10-15 tents so come join us if you can.
Need eclipse glasses? Wedding attendees Matthew Bey and Nicky Drayden are offering free eclipse glasses with every purchase of their new eclipse-themed book, Deep Austin. Also, all Warby Parker stores are giving away free paper glasses while supplies last.
Can’t do the campout? There are lots of Austin eclipse activities that you might enjoy. The Austin public library is having eclipse parties at most branches, and you can find other activites at Do512.
Don’t forget! Our wedding logistics czar is DOUG FELS at 7juan3-ate77-8584. Please text or call Doug if you need lodging, equipment, or answers. Flor and Dave may be unresponsive in the next few weeks. For the eclipse, we will be active again.
What's So Special About It?
In 23 days, on the afternoon of April 8, one of the most important global events you will ever have the incredible privilege of being able to witness will be right on our doorstep.
The Total Solar Eclipse typically is a once in a lifetime event or even less for people who are unaware or unable to travel for it. By some miracle, our generation of Southerners has been afforded 3 of them – in 2017, 2024, and 2044. Before 2017, the last one that was accessible to people in this portion of the country was in 1918, and we were on the tail end of that one. We are now front and center for the second of the three for this generation, the most magnificent and longest-lasting of the three, and if you love yourself and your family, then I beseech you, consider your plans on this day.
When I ask people if they experienced totality in 2017, some people say “yeah, I think so.” If you don’t know, then no you did not. You would remember. The distinction between 99% coverage and 100% coverage is SIGNIFICANT and ASTRONOMICAL. There are no words that suffice.
At 99%, you can kind of see that the moon is covering the sun quite a bit, you put on some paper glasses and say “huh, that’s cool,” and move on with your life after 30 seconds.
During 100% totality, you don’t have to wear glasses – the disc of the moon blots out the sun but makes all the more visible the peripheral rage of the sun – the true extent of its light and radiation, the phenomena of the sun that you don’t get to see because it is too bright. Your whole world goes dark in the middle of the day, the crickets chirp, animals become uneasy and howl, it gets noticeably colder, and shadows of the unseen elements of the Earth’s atmosphere dance across the ground like an astronomical disco. It is awe-inspiring, and there is no way to explain it to someone who hasn’t seen it before without sounding crazy.
I have traveled this incredible planet and seen so many wonderful things – the sun rising and setting on every ocean, the polar ice caps and the highest dunes of the most vast deserts, the highest mountains and widest valleys, and nothing, I mean nothing, compared to experiencing the total solar eclipse of 08-21-2017 in the parking lot of a transmission shop in Paducah, Kentucky. I am making plans to see this in a more aesthetic location….
What to Bring
It’ll be primitive camping at Long’s. No power, no running water. Portapotties. There will be well water at the office, a short walk from the campsite.
- food and drink for at least 24 hours
- BBQ supplies (there will be a BBQ pit but bring a camping stove if you have one, to avoid a stove jam)
- camping supplies including toilet paper, lights, a towel, and biodegradable soap
- a swimsuit if you want to wade to Eagle Rock for the eclipse viewing
- water shoes, Tevas, or old sneakers
- sunscreen (it won’t be THAT dark)
- eclipse glasses or other viewing gear
- musical instruments
- a charger for your devices
Precautions
We don’t anticipate a horrific traffic jam except in the two hours before and after the eclipse. There are multiple routes. However, please do be prepared.
- it’s likely that cell service and 4G will die at some point Monday due to demand so be ready
- download offline maps for the Austin-to-Marble-Falls area to your phone so you can navigate even without data
- make sure you have Doug’s number (above) and the Long’s Fish and Dig number stored in your contacts
- get gas and supplies BEFORE the eclipse trip to avoid shortages
- avoid roads for the 2-3 hours before and after the eclipse, and check traffic before you depart
- Kingsland is a short 3.5 miles south; if you need anything just go south on 1431 and look for a convenience store or gas station
- borrow a FRS radio from Dave if you want be in touch (about a half-mile range)
- stay with the group so you can share our resources
The Eclipse!
Okay here’s the eclipse schedule, with more details and links than on the wedding page.
Sat April 6 – Free day. Watch here because there’ll be a hangout in Dave’s yard or maybe on the banks of the Guadalupe River in Canyon Lake if the weather is good. We strongly recommend shopping for food, water, BBQ supplies, and camping supplies today because the eclipse may put a serious crunch on grocery stores.
Sun April 7 – Eclipse day 1. In the late morning, we’ll drive out to and camp out at Long’s Fishing Camp on the Llano River. Here’s the Google Maps link to our campsite, number 20, where the Llano and Tantrough Creek meet, space for 10-15 tents. No power, no running water, but good level ground, portapotties, and a BBQ pit.
We also have another rez elsewhere at Long’s in case of rain. Plenty of parking. It’s a minor miracle because all the state parks have been booked for months. There is no cost to you but bring your own food and drink, swimsuit, eclipse glasses, some ugly shoes for wading, and check the forecast. The main attraction is the isolation and river access. If you need help obtaining camping gear, let Doug know (see top of page). We are planning to match people with gear at the wedding ceremony, and retrieve it on the 8th after the eclipse.
Mon April 8 – Observe the total eclipse at Eagle Rock, an overlook in the Llano River walking distance (waist-high wading) from Long’s. If you don’t want to wade the river, no worries; the view from the campsite area should be amazing too.
Eagle Rock is only about 20-30 feet tall, so don’t expect a titanic vista, but it’s on the banks of the Llano and we won’t be swarmed by eclipse maniacs. Then we’ll caravan back to Austin in the afternoon or perhaps evening.
Food, Drink, and Supplies Nearby
The Long’s folks suggest Boat Town Burger Bar and Hooper’s as good places to eat in nearby Kingsland, a mere 5 minutes away. Hooper’s is notably the restored Texas Chainsaw Massacre set from the 1974 movie. Also recommended to us is Junction Prime, a steakhouse in Kingsland. For groceries and campout needs, visit the HEB supermarket in Kingsland. Just remember: there may be ridiculous traffic and long lines, especially midday on the 8th.
Marble Falls is 30 mins from the campsite on the way back to Austin, and it’s a larger town with more food and drink options. The Blue Bonnet Cafe is a big attraction there – a homey but spacious spot for comfort food and of course a huge variety of famous pies.
Free and Low-Cost Lodging
Flights might be crazy inflated right now, but how about free or cheap lodging to make up the difference?
We’re asking local guests to host non-local ones. We think this’d be a terrific way to meet new friends… or reconnect with old friends!
Here’s a list of the lodging we have available, and the costs. Note that we’re trying to save the best spots for the people coming the farthest.
- April 5 overnight at the Staybridge Suites Round Rock (free for overseas visitors, $50 for non-Texas residents, $100 for Texas residents, sleeps 2+, breakfast, queen bed)
- Bret B.’s home (literally next door to Dave’s house)
- Jon W.’s home (10 mi from Dave’s house, 13 mi from Zilker Botanical Garden)
- Doug F.’s home (couch, two sleeping bags, near the intersection of Parmer and Mopac [aka Hwy 1], 13 mi from Zilker Botanical)
- Daud’s home
- How about camping multiple nights at Long’s (1.5 hrs west)? We have you covered for the night of April 7, but you could camp more nights (about $15/night) or even rent one of their rough-and-ready cabins. Phone reservations only.
- Free camping on Dave’s lawn (bathroom access via smartlock, camping gear loans available including a tent that sleeps 4!)
- Free couch, air mattress, and floor space (smartlock access, camping gear loans, cats)
Transportation Tips
You can avoid a car rental if you can find a hotel or Airbnb within 20 miles of your desired activities. Austin is quite small and served by decent public transport and the usual carshare services.
If you do need a car, check Turo.com for cheap peer-to-peer rentals. Also check Costco (Enterprise North Lamar location) and your employer’s car rental rates. We’re happy to help you get places if you let us know in advance. Dave’s not really using his car, actually. Let Doug Fels know if you’re interested in borrowing it.
Pet Care Tip
Dave likes the peer-to-peer pet carers at Rover.com. Click his link to save $20 on your first booking.