With all the fires burning in the southern part of the state, air quality is now hazardous. This is the view out our back window putting visibility at under half a mile. The second two picks show the smoke levels across the state. Looks like we will be inside watching movies and playing games on this Labor Day weekend before school starts.
Bend Oregon was very close to the 'Path of Totality' for the Aug 21, 2017 total eclipse of the sun that was crossing the entire United States. By staying home we would have seen 99+% coverage, but hey, we were less than 20 miles from being in the direct path. I thought it was worth it to brave whatever traffic issues there might be to see a complete 100% total eclipse. Everything I had read also indicated there was a BIG difference between partial and full. Kelly wasn't so sure, and when I was rousing everyone at 6 am to get ready to drive, she definitely wasn't sure.
So off we went! Left the house at 7 am, and took some back roads over to Prineville. There were lots of people out and set up to watch but no traffic issues... I had staked out a local park with a grassy field that might be a good place to go. No camping so day use only, and we got there and it was all clear! Great spot - big grassy area for the kids to play on until it was time. We road-tripped over with the Lovejoy's. Sue (Kelly's mom) was also visiting as was a friend of Abbie's - Aislyn.
While we were waiting for the event to start we cooked breakfast on the camp stove. Coffee, eggs, bacon and strawberries.
After breakfast we started getting geared up for the eclipse. You can see my elaborate contraption to take a photo with my Iphone utilizing a pair of the eclipse glasses as a solar filter.
Here are a few shots from my Iphone as the Sun moved through partial phase. As we got closer to totality the temperature dropped - probably 10 degrees.
Here is a video that shows how it went from light to dark.
We were in the path of Totality for about 1:07 seconds based on our location. It was so worth it to see the full coverage. Watching the moon fully blot out the sun through the eclipse glasses, and then being able to take the glasses off was probably one of the most amazing natural events I have ever witness. Everyone agreed it was amazing. All the wildlife was off kilter. No bird sounds and then they started flying around after it started getting light again.
Here are some shots that do a pretty good job of showing what we saw during totality and just as it started coming out. This has not filter or adjustments on it. Hunter actually used the camera and got the cool shots as the sun started coming around again!
Hard to believe this amazing, beautiful, sweet, fun loving girl is 8 today. Abbie doesn't like cake but loves donuts!!!! Donuts are what she got!
Abbie got her ears pierced for her birthday and she was over the moon excited about it. We had lunch down town with Aislyn, her big 10 year old girl friend. The girls had a fun afternoon walking in and out of shops with Lulu. The day ended with her daddy and brothers joining us for dinner at Red Robin, where Abbie got a hamburger and had happy birthday serenaded to her.
Great day for turing 8! We love you Abbie and you make our family and life so much better.
Heavy smoke in the air from a fire burning near Sister's creates a spooky sunset.
Hunter, Noah and Abbie went to camp today. It is at the same place that we were at for family camp this weekend, so the transition was easy. Quite a few kids from school are there so it will be a fun filled week spent with friends.
Our church had family camp this weekend at the same place the kids have their camp this week. It was a lot of fun. The kids and Kevin got to swing on the giant swing. It was a little too high for my liking so I just watched. At night we had a variety show where people performed skits. Kevin was lucky enough to be in one and I filmed it below.
Pappie leaves early this evening for home and we left this morning to take the kids to camp.
Last photo before we left today. Hugs and kisses were given along with shouts out the windoed as we drove away, "LOVE you Pappie, thank you Pappie!" ❤
It was Pappie's last day and we went to the High Desert Museum. We had fun looking at the different exhibits especially the river otters. We ended the night having dinner over looking The Deschutes River in The Old Mill.
We had a great visit and until next time Pappie..... We love you!
Sunday night we had the Curry family along with the Delamarters and the Hoerleins over for a good old fashioned bbq. Tina's parents, Ken and Joan brought their ATV's over and gave the kids rides on them around the neighborhood. This may have been the highlight of the evening. We had a fun relaxed evening with great friends.
Friday night at the fair Abbie got to perform her Irish dance. We had such a fun time watching her while getting to take in all the fun rides and see the animals too.
