Back in August of 2017, Mike and I drove up from Denver to rural Wyoming for our honeymoon. It was our first roadtrip in our newly renovated RV and it was specifically to see the solar eclipse. We found a man up there who was renting out his property for campers and RVers for this event and we invited some friends to join us. It would turn out to be one of the most memorable and profound moments of my life. There really is no way to describe the moment of totality—when everything goes dark and quiet and for a few minutes and you are existing in a strange, alternate and surreal reality where all typical laws of nature have been suspended and it feels like you’re in a dream.
Needless to say, when I learned in early 2023 that here in Oklahoma, we would be in the path of totality for 2024’s eclipse, we knew immediately we would be seeing it. We’d have to drive about 4 hours to the SE corner of the state to witness 100% totality but that was no problem for us. And so, once again, we took a roadtrip, this time with our daughter Mina in tow. This was an experience we definitely wanted to share with her, especially knowing the next total solar eclipse in the U.S. won’t be for another 25 years.
It was also a camping trip. We drove up the day before and found a perfect spot on the north end of Broken Bow Lake. It was gorgeous. We honestly could not have expected a better, more scenic place for such an experience. And this was also Mina’s first official camping trip. She had a blast exploring the area, throwing rocks into the lake, collecting special rocks and treasures, and getting to sleep in the bed of our truck was a bonus.
Broken Bow Lake
It is absurd we were at such a tiny piece of it since it seemed so massive. Highly recommend visiting this gorgeous landscape.
And then, just after lunchtime the following day, April 8th, was the eclipse. It was actually cloudy all damn day and we were worried we’d miss it, and we did - the moments leading up to 100% totality anyway. Once the moon blotted out the sun entirely, you could see everything through the cloudcover, almost like the clouds ceased to exist. It was so magical and unexpected and I actually teared up during the experience; feeling so incredibly grateful we got to experience it again, this time with our daughter.
There’s nothing more I can really say to do this trip and experience justice, except thank you, universe. I don’t know why I have been lucky enough to be in the path of totality twice in 7 years but I have been and both experiences will forever be something I’ll carry with me until my short time on this little rock is done.
Solar eclipse 2024