Back in August 2017 we were able to catch the eclipse in New Franklin, Missouri. We had been on the way home from Wisconsin. At that time, we knew the next eclipse would be in 2024 and we talked then that we would go to Arkansas to watch it with our son and his family!
I blogged about it. It didn't get totally dark that time, even though we were in the area of totality. It did this year!
Well, 2024 is here and it was time for the eclipse!! So, this past week we did indeed go to Arkansas to see it with Josh and the family.
Staci was not able to go as she had treatment at Spero Clinic. Kind of cool that they use the emblem of a eclipse in their logo. See her tee? For those wondering, she is seeing improvement from her brain injury!
We dropped Reggie off at doggie day care.
And went to top off our vehicles.
Josh forgot his driver's license at home, so while Emeri and Papa went to Walmart to get some lunch fixings, we went back to the house to find it.
We met back up and took off for the camp. Josh has a friend from his church that has been developing a camp for inner city boys and that spot was in the area of totality.
We saw this cross in the sky, but later realized it looked like the backward picture of the last 3 eclipses!
Josh had seen on Maps that there was construction or heavy traffic on 412 so we went on a southern route eastward Highway 16 to 74 - Elkins, Huntsville, Kingston.
There were not many places for bathroom breaks on this trip.
Then 21 south; it was very steep and curvy. See the signs!
Beautiful scenery!
On to a gravel road 24.
Then on a really bumpy path. Good thing we brought our pickup!
Bumpety bump bump!
Camp Jabali
We set up our spot to eat lunch and wait for the eclipse.
First time applying sun screen this season.
Allen was able to share with some other people about the precision of God's creation of the sun and moon. The moon is 400 times smaller than the sun. But it is also 400 times closer to the earth than the sun. Thus, the perspective from earth is that they are exactly the same size - allowing for a perfect fit for a solar eclipse! If there was any variation in size or distance, this wouldn't work. I found this on Facebook.
It is pretty incredible that God has ordained the timing of the stars and planets in a way that we know what the sky will be like on any day in the future or in the past! I loved the video on The Star of Bethlehem that points that out so directly!
He also mentioned that the moon revolves around the earth, taking 27.3 days for one complete revolution. The moon rotates on its own axis, like the earth. It takes the moon 27.3 days for one complete rotation. This is called synchronous rotation. And its axis is exactly perpendicular to the earth! All of this results in us seeing the exact same side of the moon at all times. We have never seen the dark side of the moon from the earth. The placement and timing of the moon's movements is perfect for this to happen. Created order designed by the unfathomable wisdom of our Creator!
Josh showed how a the vertical shadow lines of the book were fuzzy, while the horizontal lines remained sharp.
Oreos
We watched the moon take a bite of the sun, bit by bit, like a cookie!
This will be the cookhouse for camp. Previously, it was the location of a civil war era cabin. It was not able to be preserved.
This is Lisa, Staci's mom. Her dad was busy working on taxes for clients and couldn't come.
Eli and a friend played games while waiting.
Getting darker! The crickets began chirping.
We could see Venus and Jupiter in the sky!
As the moon covered the sun, everyone clapped and cheered! Darkness! It was worshipful! Celestial wonder! God's handiwork on display!
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands."
Psalm 19:1
As it got lighter, the birds began to sing, like it was morning!
There was a large fish cloud design.
"The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, You call forth songs of joy." Psalm 65:8
"Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you...Which of these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?" Job 12:7-8
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