Day: April 8, 2024

Here Comes the Sun, There Goes the Sun, Day #3 “D-Day”

by reissmd, posted in Dallas

Well today was the day I’d been waiting for since August 21, 2017.  As I posted 2 days ago that day in 2017 our family had traveled to Nashville to see a solar eclipse only to be disappointed as clouds blocked our view just seconds before totality.  This time had to be different, didn’t it?  Maybe not, below is what I saw on my phone this morning.  

Clouds predicted to arrive between 10 AM to 2 PM. The eclipse totality was to be at 1:40 PM. No! No! No!

In addition, the morning had an ominous start when our daughter called to tell us that her baby and her husband both had a night filled with major gastrointestinal misery.  Next I saw Patrice headed to the bathroom with her own GI trauma.  Being the good husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather that I am I said “damn with the eclipse I’m staying with my family.”  Well that’s not exactly correct.  I did say the part about staying with my family but I didn’t mean my sick travel partners but rather my son, David’s family.  So I gave the car key to Patrice put myself in David and Robyn’s hands (actually their car) and headed west in search of clear skies.  

We stopped in a parking lot in Arlington nearby where the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) and Texas Rangers (MLB) play. We were unable to get into their parking lots but did find a place close by that was essentially empty. We did see some other eclipse chasers and we all waited for the big moment. Unfortunately about 15 minutes into our wait a security guard ambled by and said you cannot park here for the eclipse. We saw a few of the other travelers leave but Robyn headed to the guard to have a chat. I should have warned that guy that he was overmatched but instead I decided to just watch her do her handiwork. Sure enough about 10 minutes later I saw the thumbs up sign that we were good to stay put.

The security guard might not have been a match for Robyn but mother nature proved to be too much for us. As the moon began to encroach on our view of the sun, clouds started to gather nearby. The masterminds (David and Robyn) huddled and it was decided to move further west (or was it east? I don’t really know, I was just glad to have a ride). We next found ourselves in this unlikely location.

Interesting combination, Jewels and Firearms.

We started to view again and were even joined by a couple of employees from the store. They had no problem with us taking a parking space and I finally felt like I could relax. The eclipse was progressing nicely with about 95% of the process completed. But David and Robyn had concerns about the clouds and again we off to seek clear skies. At this point I was starting to get a bit concerned. We were very close to the moment of totality and we were in the car. Robyn was doing her best to get us to a good spot and David was doing his best navigating. We made a stop which I though would be our last but seconds later we were back in the car. Time was precious so I said all clear even though I had not had time to put on my seat belt. Robyn was flying down the highway and I tried to grab the seatbelt while holding on as tight as I could to the seat. This proved to be a hopeless effort but I am happy to report I didn’t not soil myself but I did come close.

We finally stopped in a parking lot and had a small area of clear skies and we saw it! Yes we saw the total solar eclipse. It was spectacular. It exceded my imagination and made all the efforts worthwhile. I have to thank David and Robyn because without their efforts I would not have been able to see it.

David was especially helpful in explaining different phenomena associated with the eclipse. I was so proud listening to him explain all the things thinking what a smart son I have. I also was very proud of me becuase I actually understood what he was saying. Well, to be honest, not all the time. But my 15 year old grandson, Owen, did. David pointed out that we would be able to see a sunset in all directions during the eclipse. Here is a video I took of that moment,

I have done it. A life goal has been achieved. And at my age who knows how many more oppoturnities I would have had. I can check this one off my list and move on. Of course what about doing it again August 12, 2026 in Spain? Why not!

Here Comes the Sun, There Goes the Sun, Day #2. “Eclipse Eve”

by reissmd, posted in Dallas

Today was a wonderful day. First I have to tell you that this hotel has been very unimpressive. We are staying at the Dallas Marriott Suites Medical/Market Center. We started our day with a mediocre breakfast at the hotel. It was a buffet that makes a Residence Inn breakfast seem like a feast. Prior to that I worked out in the gym which was more like a sauna. When we got back from our day in the city, the rooms had not been serviced. Unlikely this place will get any reservations from followers of my blog.

Then it was off to tour the city. Our daughter-in-law Robyn always does a great job arranging tours when we travel. She set up today’s tour. Much of it included the area around where John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Having been an early teen on November 22, 1963, it is still hard for me to be taken back to that fateful day. I could feel myself getting tearful talking about it.

The highway is marked at the two locations where Kennedy was shot. Maybe I am just too sensitive but it irked me to see people taking selfies or posing at the two spots. One genius even had his picture taken while lying down in the middle of the highway. Just to be clear this is an active and busy highway. It reminded me of when we were at the 9/11 Memorial in New York and the Atomic bomb memorial in Hiroshima. How people can treat these locations like tourist sights is beyond me. These areas are meant to honor the dead not be an amusement park like Disneyland. Sorry if I am ranting a bit.

After the tour we were off to lunch. Robyn knew what great BBQ fans Patrice and I are so she suggested we eat at Terry Black’s BBQ (3025 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226). This place has the reputation of being the best BBQ in Dallas. When we arrived there was a line beyond belief. See below.

This is only part of the line,.

Our daughter, Lindsay, made it clear that this was not a place that she could wait with her 2 year old. I was so glad to hear her say that because my back started to ache just looking at the line. But thanks to our ever resourceful daughter-in-law, Robyn, we were saved. She found out the the line outside was for the BAR! So glad to learn they love their guns AND their liquor in Dallas. Robyn got us a table, so we entered the restaurant and had a meal beyond my ability to describe. We were joined by Patrice’s cousin Paula and her husband Tim. See the picture below.

The Reiss Clan in Dallas at Terry Black’s BBQ

After lunch we went back to the hotel to relax by the pool. Catch a glimpse of Patrice and me relaxing at the pool. I asked someone to take our picture but clearly they aren’t very proficient at using a phone camera. See below.

Tomorrow is the big day. If the skies look anything like today I will be saying, “Looking forward to Spain August 12, 2026”.