by Pa Rock
Stargazer Geezer
The City of West Plains, Missouri, has been planning an Eclipse Party for more than two years, and the big celestial event finally came to pass early this afternoon - for a couple of minutes - and then the sun came back out, as the educated world knew that it would.
My good friends, Ranger Bob and Sandy Randall, arrived around 9:30 this morning, giving us time for a delicious and healthy brunch which Sandy brought, a good visit, and a tour of the town. There was lots of traffic in town, much more so than yesterday, but we didn't encounter any traffic blockages, snarls, or wrecks. Bob said that the Missouri State Highway Patrol had been well represented along Highway 60 between Springfield and West Plains.
This Modern World: Although I know for a fact that my old college roommate is an exceedingly cautious driver, he did say that he has a phone app which successfully alerted them to speed trap on the road to West Plains this morning. I guess "fuzz busters" are now a thing of the past.
We had lunch while sitting in the backyard as the sky slowly darkened. Our meal consisted of wonderful chicken salad sandwiches on croissants followed by delicious homemade chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, all of which Sandy brought, It had been a bird-chirpy spring day when the event started, but Sandy noticed that as the darkness came on, most of the birds became silent. Gypsy, who was outside on a leash, just sat through the brief darkness and looked curious, but it scared Rosie who went and hid behind Nick's truck. (She loved having company, but did not appreciate them turning off the sun!)
Nick and Ranger Bob seemed to hit it off very well. Nick told of a mountain lion encounter that he had experienced, and Bob shared a story about when he and another park ranger in Louisiana had captured and bound a large alligator and then relocated him. My friend still has both hands and feet, so he obviously knew what he was doing!
Our company is headed home now, but they left us with many good memories - and Sandy left enough food to last Nick and I most of the week!
Old friends are the best, and sharing an eclipse with them was extra special. I can hardly wait for the next one!
1 comment:
Was great fun and great visit. Traffic was terrible on the way home probably because everyone left at the same time. Thanks for having us.
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