I wanted to report on our adventure this past Sunday - Monday, chasing the solar eclipse. My bestie and I didn't want to be caught up in all of the hoopla surrounding the celestial event, but also wanted to make an effort to experience it. Friends had booked weekend events, for big bucks, that ended up disasters due to weather forecasts, poor event planning, etc. Everywhere I checked wanted 3 day minimum stay and usually at 300+% rates.
I found a HipCamp location that often hosts festivals and other events. They also book primitive campsites for $35/night. They weren't in the zone of totality, but near it, so I booked Sunday night thinking we could navigate into the "zone" on Monday. I had my eye on Hippie Hollow. I was surprised that I was the first to book a camp site, but took that as a positive sign.
All packed and headed out, Sharon in a sundress and me in an unfastened kilt, expecting the worst traffic outside of a storm evacuation. Traffic was no worse than normal and we made remarkable time getting to the camp. We arrived before any 'staff' was on site, but a phone call got us through the gate. This is a exotic animal sanctuary and we saw many deer and antelope species that were quite unusual, as we followed instructions the "woods campsites." Tall wire fences lined the roadway and pastures. Every terrestrial animal observed was a quadruped, nothing appearing human on the 800+ acres.
We passed a large barn that appeared to be their mead brewery and other interesting structures, but no modern vehicles nor people about. We arrived at a large clearing surrounded by woods of cedar and oak. The brush had been cleared to provide a park-like area for camping. Parking under the trees, we decided on a spot to spend the night. Stepping out of the truck wearing only flipflops, we set up our camp. The understory had only recently been cleared, so there was plenty of forest debris throughout the area. I would have appreciated a rake for clearing the area under the tent, but we made due by removing sharp or cumbersome materials before spreading the tarp.
We were very happy to find no poison ivy or oak, and very few ants or other vermin. We did wish we'd brought a fly swatter, but they were thankfully, not biting flies. Plenty of birds flying through the trees, but none of the exotic species we spotted on the way in. Sharon did spot a coyote the following morning. The weather was perfect, mid 70's, with full cloud cover, but no rain predicted until mid-morning.
HipCamp had been very plain in their requirement that no fires were allowed. This didn't fit with other information I had on the place, so I had placed a call a couple days prior to departure. They did concede to allowing a fire as long as proper campfire safety was followed.
I have noticed that JBee usually used portable camp stoves for cooking and rarely had a camp fire. I assume that is because of the dry desert conditions that he frequents. Me, not so much. I actually have a propane stove. I cannot remember ever using it to cook, always having a fire available.
Campfires and campfire cooking are staples of my camping experience. This trip was no different. We enjoyed roasted potatoes (a bit over roasted!) and marinated chicken. Yummy!
We played dominos until the darkness fell and gradually fell into sleep mode. We did put up the rain fly, more to limit the morning dew than any threat of rain. After a wonderfully quiet sleep, the alarm in my head told me that it was nearing dawn. It was unusually dark in the woods, under a dense cloud cover. But I was able to see well enough to get the fire going and coffee brewing.
As daylight broke, Sharon joined me to discuss how much we must plan a return trip to this place and plans for the day. We had preparations for a camp breakfast, but opted for wonderfully deviled eggs accompanied by bread and fruit. We were still the only humans there. An old farm cabin was far across the large clearing, where we observed a car come and go. I also observed a 4X4 pass by through the trees, obviously the residents just checking on their guests, but no attempts were made to speak with us, I simply remained nude.
We broke camp and packed up. I threw a sarong on the driver's seat and we headed out around 10am. The gate had a door opener to open the departure gate, but signs insisted we wait to ensure the gate closed after crossing through. We certainly wouldn't want to allow any of the exotics to escape if we had left the gate open. Yeah, the gate did not close. I stopped and called the host's number to let them know of the predicament. They simply said hurriedly, "okay" and hung up. We waited a few minutes with the gate still open before I decided to see if hitting the opener or shaking the gate would help. I was aware of the camera pointed at the gate so promptly donned the sarong. Well, not so promptly. I had not placed the sarong on the seat with the intention of wearing it, so it was a bit of a kerfuffle getting it tied around my waist, but as soon as I had it affixed, the gate rattled closed.
I had my sights set on Hippie Hollow, and we had no trouble getting there, after about an hour's drive. There were numerous highway and park entry signs warning of the upcoming eclipse and it's impact on traffic. The park was planning an early closure to make sure everyone was able to get out of the parking lot before gates had to close. I was planning for an early exit to stay ahead of traffic to my best ability.
Sharon had injured her hip preparing for our trip, so we weren't going to do any hiking around the park. We gathered snacks, beverages, a chair and umbrella, oh yeah, and the solar glasses (of course) and casually descended to the nearest observation spot. I followed my usual pattern of donning a sarong at the truck to comply with the "no nudity in the parking lot" and have something to sit upon on the rocks. It also works for a towel after swimming.
This park is clothing optional and usually has a lot of clothed people in this section of the park, but not on this day. Nudity was abundant in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, etc. There was definitely an air of excitement not usually felt. Someone had brought a reflecting telescope and let anyone who happens by, the chance to view the spectacle. There was more chatting among neighbors than on a normal day, creating a community feeling not usual to the social/political climate especially more recently found here in the Lone Star State.
The water level has been extremely low for several years now. The "Sometimes Islands" used to rarely appear off the HH shore, now they are one land mass stretching almost to the dam. The water was chilly to this Texas wuss, but I did venture in waist deep.
The eclipse did not disappoint. During the early stages, the clouds were high and translucent, but as the coverage exceeded 90%, lower, thicker clouds appeared. There were moments when we wondered if our luck was going to run out. But the clouds dispersed and blue skies took over the sky just in time.
The moon drifted in front of the sky for about an hour before totality, providing a gradual twilight, but when totality was reach, it came in an instant. Venus appeared nearby and lights appeared on the roadway as well as the Oasis Restaurant up the cliffs. The solar glasses were useless for viewing once in totality. Seeing the corona was as spectacular as everyone had said. What really impressed me were the 'beads' that would pop around the moon's shadow inside the corona. Bright spotlights shining through the mountains of the moon's surface.
As quickly as totality occurred, it ended. A switch flipped and it was twilight again. No more Venus and the lights again shut off. There was a point where the wind died completely, that I didn't notice until it returned. The only animals I noticed affected by the event, were the humans. Oh's, Ah's and applause that normally would accompany July 4th fireworks were loud and abundant.
We didn't wait too long as the moon moved past its pause over the sun to make our departure. Hobbling back to the truck for the trip home. The trip took about twice the normal time, but moved along enough not to be too strenuous. It certainly helped to have good company. The final stretch was moving along at a good clip, when we decided to do one last traffic check. Good thing because things turned nasty red and yellow for the next 20 - 30 miles. Luckily, I knew of the old highway route and made a quick detour.
With that, we were safely back home feeling blessed to have put forth the effort. Being able to experience such a masterpiece of nature, in the most natural state, was icing on the cake. Of the millions of people that went to brief or extreme lengths to view the eclipse, only a small number of us made a point to enjoy it naturally nude, barefoot all over.
~Safebare
