8 Apr 2024 - Arrived at Dyess AFB Abilene TX + Eclipse

 

Early rise and shine today.  The goal was to complete the 290 mile journey from Oklahoma City to Abilene TX and get set-up before the eclipse started, which was just after noon.  Had I considered all options I would have not scheduled a travel day on the eclipse day.  Oh well, we deal with it.  So we rose at 0500 hrs, slammed a quick breakfast, cleaned up and closed up in preparation for our departure - in the dark!  Have I mentioned before I do not like to either load up or set up in the dark?  Nothing good happens in the dark when it comes to setting up or tearing down a camper, or even traveling for that matter.  We tried to be be quiet so as not wake the neighbors, but it took multiple attempts to get the coach on the hitch in the dark.  Not fun.  But mission accomplished, we got the coach loaded up without bending any metal or tearing any flesh.  We pulled out of the campground at 0610 hrs and headed south towards Texas.

Sunrise was very welcome and overall the trip was uneventful.  The fuel mileage improved a bit with diminished headwinds.  We did a fuel stop while still in Oklahoma which was a mistake.  The price of fuel is lower in Texas.  Oh well, we did not take on all that much.  It was more an excuse for a pit stop for us and Liberty.  Not long after our stop Doreen captured a picture of the Texas state line. The Lone Star State!

We enjoyed some Texas BlueBells along the roadside.  This picture does not at all do them justice.  

At 1146 hrs we rolled into the Dyess Air Force Base main gate.  Things were busy but we processed through quickly.

Just inside the gate at the static display aircraft we took a right and headed a short distance to the FamCamp.  

The Dyess Air Force Base FamCamp has just 24 RV sites, so it is not huge but the sites are paved, level, full hookup and just $35/night.  We paid in advance and got our site assignment, so we were able to drive right in and set-up without delays.  

There is a nice brick structure that houses the well-maintained laundry facilities as well as male and female latrines with showers.  It is super easy access plus there are all the other on-base amenities such as Exchange (BX for you old school folks), commissary, etc.   

We got set-up quickly and then pulled up a chair, our eclipse glasses and a cold Lone Star beer for the big show!  

Here in Abilene the coverage was to be 96%, so we never saw total darkness but the temperature indeed dropped.  Looking at my Weatheflow Tempest weather device that we have on the RV, the UV Index reading dropped like a rock like the temperature did as the moon came between the sun and the Earth.  Peak time was to be ~1336 hrs.    

I am disappointed I was not able to capture better pictures of the eclipse.  Through the glasses and eyeballs was awesome, but using the smart phone camera filter that came with our glasses, the pictures just looked like a blob.  

This is basically what it looked like through our glasses (below).  

Well, that was cool!  We were at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City SD camping in August 2017 the last time a total eclipse occurred.  Memories made!! After this one, the next total solar eclipse will be 30 Mar 2033 on our 59th anniversary!  I wonder of we will still be camping by then?

That is it for today.  As I write this the Cubbies are playing a late one on Marquee tonight against the Padres on the west coast.  We have four nights here before we move on to Fort Sam Houston RV Park in San Antonio TX, so plenty of time to explore the area.  We have some stormy, rainy weather moving in so we will likely shop tomorrow morning to replenish the pantry and fridge, and then when the weather improves head into town to explore Abilene, My Abilene.  You know the women here don't treat you mean!  And you thought I was going to wrap this up without referencing this 1963 tow-tapper!!  (credit to George Hamilton IV). Have a listen!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnQ7WrarPq8