8/21/2017
Eclipse chasers are coming
Note: This is an update from the Idaho Transportation Department's Eastern Idaho region:
RIGBY - With clear skies and beautiful weather this morning, they’re coming.
Eclipse chasers that is. Northbound Interstate 15 and eastbound U.S 20 are alive with visitors from Utah and elsewhere headed to the path of totality of the Great America Eclipse, which is just a few hours away.
Reportedly, news stories of congestion in eastern Idaho over the weekend scared people off, but with late reports from officials and family members that roads are fine and the weather gorgeous, many have caught eclipse mania and are headed to witness the astronomical wonder.
Officials of the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) estimate more than 50,000 people are now in position to enjoy the marvel, with others still anxiously en route.
People from around the world have arrived in the Upper Snake River Valley, occupying yards, parking lots and fields to get a get good view of the full solar eclipse, set for 11:33 a.m. today (Monday, Aug. 21).
The event promises to be memorable. Blue skies and nonexistent wind – it's beautiful! Prayers are being answered.
One visitor parked in a local cemetery near Rigby, apparently trying to avoid the crowds and secure a good connection between heaven and earth.
So far, no eastern Idaho fatalities have marred the weekend, with only a couple of crashes and one small brush fire yesterday afternoon along Idaho Highway 33 about eight miles west of Rexburg, which crews from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) quickly extinguished.
BLM just opened a couple of fields on Idaho 33 about nine miles west of Rexburg to accommodate incoming visitors.
The moon approaches the sun.