Chasing the Sun Run Part 1 - Quest to see the 2012 Ring of Fire Annular Solar Eclipse

wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
A couple of weeks ago, I read about an Annular Solar Eclipse that was to occur in our neck of the woods on Sunday, May 20, 2012. At the time, I didn't give it much thought but as we got closer and closer to the weekend, the more more I found myself talking to Cindy about it and before I knew it, we were dropping what we were doing and heading out to the desert to chase the sun. And, after exploring a good part of the eastern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern corners of Arizona, we decided to set ourselves up on a mesa top near the town of Mesquite, Nevada. Here are some pics from our trip.

This is a map we found showing the path of the Annular Solar Eclipse and what we used to find a good location to watch it...
main.php


Before heading out, we made a stop over at Oceanside Photo & Telescope to pick up a set of solar viewing glasses...
main.php


After stopping in Vegas to visit with Cindy's folks, it was time to head out and find us a place to watch the eclipse...
main.php


Did I mention how hot it was out in the middle of the Nevada desert?
main.php


main.php


Making our way north on highway 93...
main.php


Given the situation, this seemed like a good direction to go...
main.php


Hmmmm, maybe this guy would know a good place to watch the eclipse - better stop and ask for directions...
main.php


main.php


Changing course and heading more toward the center of the eclipse's path, we stopped over at the Cathedral Gorge State Park to take in the impressive views...
main.php


main.php


There are some very cool and fun trails in this area with cool stairs and bridges to cross...
main.php


Down in the gorge to check it out...
main.php


main.php


main.php


Exploring one of the many very cool "Moon Caves"...
main.php


main.php


The passages are get really really narrow and are not something I would recommend for someone who's claustrophobic...
main.php


Looking skyward...
main.php


A nest of ravens we found high up in the slot...
main.php


Back outside and further up the gorge, we found an old water tower that was built a long time ago...
main.php


Further north, we paid a visit to the old mining town of Pioche, Nevada - here we are parked in front of the old Pioche Aerial Tramway...
main.php


LOL!! A hotel for Overlanders!!
main.php


Checking out the old Gem Theater...
main.php


Working our way east...
main.php


main.php


I just love crossing state lines in remote areas like this...
main.php


At the end of the day celebrating a crazy trip with one very funky beer...
main.php


Day of the Annular Solar Eclipse

Topping off and getting ready to pick a spot to watch the eclipse...
main.php


After doing some exploring, we found this place - clear view and nobody around for miles...
main.php


But, just in case, we decided to some more looking...
main.php


main.php


main.php


This looked promising too...
main.php


In the end, we decided to go back to our first spot and hunker down in whatever shade we could find...
main.php


"Remind me again, who's idea was it to come out here in the middle of the desert this weekend?" Tessa trying to keep cool in more ways than one...
main.php


Doing a quick test shot of the sun using our iPhone...
main.php


View of the sun using a welders glass as the eclipse approaches...
main.php


And here we go...
main.php


Almost there...
main.php


And here it is - the Ring of Fire...
main.php


Larger shot of it and without the green tint of the welding glass...
main.php


Shot of Rubicat during the Ring of Fire - if you look closely in the lower right hand corner of the photo, you will see a flare in the shape of the eclipse...
main.php


Another shot of Rubicat as the eclipse starts to wane - notice the flare...
main.php


Time to celebrate this epic trip to see the Annular Eclipse with a bottle of Burery Tradewinds Belgian Triple...
main.php


Rubicat standing on the side of a cliff watching the sun go down...
main.php


main.php


On our way back down to Mesquite...
main.php


I hope you enjoyed our adventures chasing the sun in search of the Annular Solar Eclipse. If you would like to see all the pics we took along the way, simply click on the link below:

Chasing the Sun Run - 2012 Ring of Fire Annular Solar Eclipse Photo Album

:cool:
 
67 views and I'm the first (make that third) to comment? :idontknow:

Great pics as always!

How was that Rogue beer? If you are ever in Portland, you have to stop at Voodoo doughnut. They have some crazy concoctions. Their maple bacon bars are to die for. http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.php
 
Franck said:
second actually ;) LOl
Click to expand...

Nope, third. :yup:

I think we were all typing at the same time. I just had to answer my phone before hitting submit.


Eddie/Cindy: What did you use to get rid of the green tint? Filter or no filter?
 
WOW awesome mini adventure….Great scenery, something we just don't have around here….Its great that you take the time to enjoy what you have out there….and the time you take to share your great photography with the rest of us...:thumb:
 
08blkrubi said:
WOW awesome mini adventure….Great scenery, something we just don't have around here….Its great that you take the time to enjoy what you have out there….and the time you take to share your great photography with the rest of us...:thumb:
Click to expand...

I second this.
 
Awesome pics, as always. You and Cndy should consider making a coffee table book on offroading. Would be totaly awesome.
 
MTG said:
67 views and I'm the first (make that third) to comment? :idontknow:

Great pics as always!

How was that Rogue beer? If you are ever in Portland, you have to stop at Voodoo doughnut. They have some crazy concoctions. Their maple bacon bars are to die for. http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.php
Click to expand...

I love that place... Really considered buying the $8 five gallon bucket full of the "old" doughnuts when I was there to just carry around with me while sightseeing. Haha. BTW, their "old" doughnuts are only like 8-12 hours old, since they are open 24hrs... Bought a solid half dozen for the wife and I, and grabbed a "The magic is on the hole" tee, then headed to the Rogue brewery! Wish there were good food places here...
 
thanks everyone, we're glad that you enjoyed the pics. :cool:

MTG said:
Nope, third. :yup:

I think we were all typing at the same time. I just had to answer my phone before hitting submit.


Eddie/Cindy: What did you use to get rid of the green tint? Filter or no filter?
Click to expand...

cindy took the pic in RAW format and was able to make adjustments to the color in photoshop.

DMFNJ24601 said:
Awesome pics, as always. You and Cndy should consider making a coffee table book on offroading. Would be totaly awesome.
Click to expand...

we're flattered but i somehow doubt enough people would want to buy something like that in today's day and age.

BlackDiamondBound said:
haah I like the bottle opener, never seen that before :thumb:
Click to expand...

if you can believe it, it's a craftsman too :D
 
With all the cool locations you guys go it really makes me want to move to socal. My wife has family in Fullerton and in Temecula. We always make sure we get a wheeling trip in when we are down there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom