Exactly two years ago we first learned of the recent Total Solar Eclipse of 2024.  I then found Xavier Jubier’s interactive map of the track of totality.  The nearest prime locations for us were either the Texas Hill Country or southwest AR.  Ah, there is an all-Airstream campground in Hillsboro, TX.  Ooh, and the path of totality is within a mere mile of it!  I’ll ask if they are booking reservations for the weekend of April 6^th  to the 9^th!

It is an upscale park, but nearly all Airstream Parks are non-profit organizations for tax purposes.  Thus, they have strict rules on profitability and the use of that income.  Methought they would have affordable rates, perhaps even their typical low rate for other Airstreamers.  A quick phone call dispelled that notion:  they had been planning for that weekend for months, and the price, subject to later increase pending local member participation will be $300 per night with a 3-night minimum.  “Thanks.  We’ll look elsewhere.”

Southwest Texas is known to have sunnier skies that Arkansas over a year, but what about that week in April?  Historic weather outcomes for the week including April 8 as its midpoint gave the small advantage to Arkansas, and Corps of Engineers camps were not raising prices for the event.  It took a hour to two to check daily rain records for Kerrville and Gillham Lake, AR.  Arkansas had experienced slighty better weather over the past five years.   18 months later we booked two weeks at Cossatot Reefs CoE campground on the first day of reservations for the two weeks ends April 9.  Got it, and for only $140 for 14 nights! 

Soon after we checked into camp the articles in our online newspapers began appearing with science-backed forecasts of cloud patterns across our nation on E-day.  Texas was the preferred location with the outlook growing dimmer and dimmer as one followed the path of totality to the Northeast.  None of Arkansas was expected to enjoy good viewing conditions, but don’t worry – you can still travel to Texas.  In long-range forecasting all is more probable than certain.  It was a chilly morning, but I began to notice damp armpits.  Phone calls were uniformly unsuccessful; everybody in Hill Country was booked, even a bunch of ranchers renting pasture land, none with  water, electricity, or sewer facilities despite uniformly outrageous prices.  Our plight was simple and sad but true: wait, and hope for the best.    

The monthly forecast for Gillham AR looked good after the recent rains but only for a few days.  Cloudy days exceeded “Clouds and Sun” with a multiday Flash Flood watch.  But over that first week the monthly forecast improved slowly but steadily.  By April Fool’s day there were more “Periods of Sun and Clouds” and less of rain, but April 8 remained rain-likely. 

Kat and I scouted our surroundings and settled on Gillham Lake Dam as our preferred viewing site.  It has restrooms, maybe 15 parking sites, and lots of sidewalk for chair parking.  We planned a lunch of tuna sandwiches and  Doritos with a couple of cold ones in the ice chest.  As days passed the forecast began to improve and by Thursday, April 4, E-day’s forecast had improved all the way to “Periods of Sun and Clouds”.  Sunday, April 7’s forecast for the 8^th changed again all the way to “Mostly Sunny”.

You stayed with me for 578 words.  Part II might be 800 words:  Stay tuned!