Ring of Fire (10/14/23 Sat)

Soon after leaving the Leakey ranch for Kerrville, a glance down revealed that I needed gas. Quick GPS route check showed exactly one option about 40 miles ahead. A third of the way towards my destination and half of my remaining gas range. I hadn't taken any "nice" roads, so it was just all fast routes through Texas. The roadsides along this route had a growing number of eclipse spectators near any crown in the landscape. They would most often be a lone photographer with camera and tripod at the ready. Intently setting up to capture their award winning shot.

I arrived at a busy gas stop, busy by number of cars surrounding a small building, gas stop apparently by gps criteria only. I didn't see any pumps, only an old gas sign, missing half the plastic panels. This could be bad, I need gas. Then a truck pulled away from the front of the store and I saw a very old set of gas pumps close to the front of the building. Pulling up to them I even found one labeled premium. The pumps old spinning dials spin very fast at currrent market prices. Obviously no pay at pumps. A big sign declared "Best darn jerky in Texas", so I had to buy some. Leaving the station I took a photo and continued on, wondering why I didn't take a bite of jerky before pocketing it.

MY Kerrville approach was from the perfect direction. So exit the highway and are at the house in minutes. Turning onto the road there was a half dozen people talking in the road. As I passed them my gps said your destination is on the left. I stopped because I was between houses and wanted to look at each. When I turned back the crowd, in a syncronised swimming like joint movement, all pointed to the house in front of me. My helmet nodded in confirmation, as the head inside chuckled a bit.

Once I parked the crowd moved to me and we started talking. Elaine didn't come out of the house, so I asssumed I beat her home from the road race she attended that morning. The crowd hung out, peering up through glasses to check the eclipse status every few minutes. I started searching my top case for the glasses I purchased with stickers at Big Bend National park. After a long search through many sticker sized bags I found it exactly where I thought it should be on my second full search. A quick glance showed partial eclipse and I now joined the cadence of holding glasses to the sun every few minutes.

By the time my search ended some of the crowd had setup lawn chairs accross the front of the driveway. Many introductions occurred, and my memory for names was quickly overloaded. Someone in the crown yelled we're blocking the driveway, as my sister arrived home to find her driveway was now the local party spot. She entered the garage through the gauntlet, jumped out with glasses and joined our sky checking. She then met at least one neighbhor that was new to her. Keith arrived a soon after, and a lone couple appeared further down the street. Like bugs to a light the crowd headed for the new couple. Apparently they're new, and need to be met. More introductions completed, my memory still full. Everyone was very nice. One man's son works imigration in the city I went to in SW California. I was correct in that the area I rode into is definetly NOT the good side of town.

About the eclipse. It was a cool ring of fire when looking through the dark glasses. Dark center, bright circle at peak. Horseshoe to omega pre to post peak. In photos it was a bright sun photo with no ring. Through the glasses it was a dimmer bright spot with no ring. We did notice, post peak that the tree left very cool shadows on the driveway. Seems the edge somehow projects the eclipse onto the pavement. A slight breeze added hypnotic movement that seemed to be working hard to get soemone to look down and take notice of the shadowy masterpeice. Without glasses, there was no other indication of eclipse. Just people loitering and shadows. It never seemed to get any darker, everything looked completely normal. Just a catalyst to get neighbors into the street to talk at mid-day. I hope all those lone roadside photographers know something we didn't, or they missed out on the best part of the eclipse.

After going inside we ate, talked and played cards until 0100 the next day. Finally off to bed, anticipating the collection of family arriving on Sunday to talk and eat. Texans like BBQ and my nieces and nephews can cook. Great eats are a cum'in. Apparently it doesn't take much to amass peope to sit/stand around and talk. Even I can do it.