photo by Paul Fixx
Cars from Massachusetts, New York, Maine and Vermont arrive at the Caspian Lake Beach parking lot at 9:30 a.m., on Eclipse Day.
GREENSBORO – The Caspian Lake Beach parking lot was already filling up at 9:30 a.m. on Eclipse Day, April 8.
D.J. Placek flew from Chicago to Boston, where he was met by Kevin Selesta. The two drove from there, choosing Greensboro as their destination to view the eclipse at Hill Farmstead Brewery. Selesta had prepared by getting tickets the minute they went on sale.
Robin Goodwine, walking her dog in the beach parking lot, had driven up from New York City for the day. She said traffic on her drive up was moving at a normal speed, but the road was more congested than one might expect early in the morning.
Early on, Placek wasn’t sure whether to visit a friend in Indiana, also along the path of totality, or come with Selesta to Greensboro. With absolutely clear, blue skies overhead, he was pleased with his decision.
photo by Paul Fixx
Eclipse Day visitors to Caspian Lake Beach at 9:30 a.m., April 8, included D.J. Placek (left) from Chicago and Robin Goodwin from New York City walking their dogs, while Kevin Selesta, who drove from Boston after picking up Placek at the airport there.
Afternoon forecasts along the path of totality show Northern Vermont to have the best chance of clear skies, with mostly high, wispy clouds. Texas, historically favored for clear skies, is expected to be cloudy.
In the months leading up to this eclipse, those historical forecasts showed Texas with a better than 60% chance of clear skies. Vermont trailed most other states along the path at just over 40%.
Selesta said traffic on their trip up was heavier than usual, but not particularly bad.
Allyssa Pickett at the Willey’s Store checkout counter said the store had been only slightly busier than normal. Shoppers were observed with more beer in their hands than one might usually expect at 9:30 on a Monday morning.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
