"We hauled Julie's folding soccer chairs to the top of Lunch Tree Hill and set up on the ridge overlooking Jackson Hole. The weather was perfect with clear blue sky and even the smoke from prior days was gone. Something of a miracle to begin with.
My head is still spinning a bit, but it was an amazing experience I might compare to walking inside St. Peter's in Rome or peering over the edge of Toroweap - only far grander.
It seemed everyone was caught by surprise. We had been using our glasses as the sun became a sliver, the temperature had been dropping, the light on the mountains was fading and then suddenly people let out a gasp and it was dark. It was strange but a lot was happening.
The most spectacular part was the sky. With the sun now gone there was a bright silver corona that was much larger and impressive than I expected. It was like a ring of molten silver, while not far away Jupiter was shining brilliantly in a black sky.
On Lunch Tree Hill the view was eerie. South toward Jackson the horizon had an orange glow, as did the northern horizon looking toward Yellowstone. It wasn't pitch black but more like late dusk. The mountains stood in towering stark silhouette back-lit by light from Idaho. The most remarkable earthly feature was Jackson Lake which reflected strange shimmering silver light from the glowing corona. It was really haunting and beautiful - brings tears to my eyes trying to describe it.
The minute and fifty seconds ended quickly but not without one last galactic splash. As suddenly as it began the light reappeared but it was like an indescribably bright stage spotlight. It was quick and utterly amazing as Jackson Hole was immediately back in day light.
Not something you see everyday - or ever. Wow!"
For more photos and comments see our gallery at:
>Outings>Photo Field Trips>2017 Eclipse
