Texas- Eclipse!

 And then for the final crowning jewel on top of our great trip to Texas- the Solar Eclipse! 

We ended up going to a little town called Goldhtwaite. And God is so good. It ended up being the perfect spot. We found a small grassy area in their city center where people were gathering and we were able to get a front row parking spot and there was plenty of room for us to spread out blankets and sit. I had also been really excited about viewing the eclipse in some sort of crowd so that you could feel that collective energy and excitement together with strangers. So I was happy to find a place where other people were. And not only that but it ended up being blue skies, at least where we were… there were countless clouds surrounding us, but not above us, and it was a miracle. A miracle that I in no way needed or deserved and yet God still allowed me to be in the right place at the right time. 

I wish I had the time and energy to really write something poetic about the experience of the eclipse but this will have to do for now. As the moon took the first bite out of the sun we begin to watched with anticipation we took breaks playing card games on the blanket and running around and eating snacks.

 Slowly slowly the moon slid over the sun more and more. Everything got darker and darker, the color washed out and turned metallic. And as the moon completely overshadowed the sun and the land went dark as night, we were able to take off the special glasses and stare right up at the sun with our bare eyes. It was such a surreal sight that I will never forget. It was as if a black hole had opened up from outer space that we could be sucked in at any moment. Around it shined a white diamond shimmer. It was incredible. The stars started to come out and it looked like night. To the left of us was an orange horizon like a sunset. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. 

But even better than all of that was watching my kids reactions. They loved it. Hazel especially was jumping up and down and screaming. It was the best. And I got my experience with my crowd of strangers too. They all cheered and then for the whole 3 minutes of totality everyone excitedly yelled and moved around and there was so much energy and excitement. I couldn't help but cry a little bit. I couldn't believe we got to see it. And all I know is it was absolutely worth traveling for and I would do it again. ;)