Solar Eclipse - August 17-23, 2017

Thursday, August 17th, we were still in Pigeon Forge catching up on laundry in preparation for our next move.
On Friday, the 18th, we pulled out of Pigeon Forge to make a 215 mile trip to Westmoreland, Tennessee.  This area was designated to be a totality viewing spot for the solar eclipse that would occur on the 21st.  We stopped in Cookville, Tn. to have lunch with Lois Howard, a longtime camping friend of ours that lives in that area,  We ate at a Cheddar's restaurant and had a nice visit with Lois.  We had forgotten about crossing into Central time on this jaunt.  Tom had found out about this venue for eclipse watching from something he saw on the internet so we weren't too sure of what we were going to.  Westmoreland is a small little town that has a sizable Expo Center that doesn't appear to have much use these days.  We had to wait on a parking lot until 3 pm when someone finally came, opened gates and showed us our parking spot.  We had water and electric (30amp) and were parked on grass.  Activities and solar viewing was to be at Wild Flower Farms about 8 miles away.
Saturday, August 19th,  we did ride down to the Wild Flowers farm to get our wrist bands and solar viewing glasses but nothing else seemed to be happening.  We drove about the area going to Hendersonville and driving along the Cumberland River and Old Hickory Lake, a pretty area.  We then drove through the town of Gallatin and had lunch.  In the evening we drove to the "Farm" as there was to be entertainment but really there was not much happening so we returned back to our camp site.
Throughout the weekend campers were moving onto the grounds of the Expo Center but I believe the most that were there was 12 units.  It was advertised to have food trucks and entertainment at the "Farm" but we only saw a little hot dog cart for food and the entertainment was nothing to speak of.
Sunday we did go out for dinner but spent most of the day reading and relaxing at the motorhome
Monday, August 21st, the solar eclipse day! We had decided that we would just stay at the Expo grounds rather than go down to the "Farm" for a ride up a hill to view. The eclipse began a little before noon in clear skies.  We would periodically put on our solar glasses and check the progress and ate lunch in between.  As the eclipse moved toward totality the temperature dropped, the sky became dark, and the birds and insects became quiet.  !:27 pm totality occurred when we could remove our glasses for about 2 minutes.  It was really something to see.  I was also amazed at the accurate time schedule available.  Tom had downloaded an App on his phone that announced every happening and when to remove glasses and when to put them back on.   Prior to the eclipse one of the gals from the "farm" came to the Expo Center to collect fees from any body wanting to park on the grounds for the eclipse.  Since she was sitting out in the direct sun Tom took a beach umbrella to her to have for shade.  After the eclipse we walked to the area she had been and found the she and the umbrella were gone.  So we went to the farm to retrieve the umbrella.  Traffic heading north was extremely heavy with people going out of the area to home.
Tuesday, August 22nd. we were on the road by 8:30 am heading south.  We hoped to get below Atlanta, Georgia.  It was a long drive 387 miles to Perry, Ga. with most interstate driving.  Fair Harbor RV park was our home for the night, a very nice campground.
Wednesday, 23rd, we continued our travels south for 293 miles to the motor home storage lot arriving about 2 pm.  We quickly gathered up our clothes and emptied the refrigerator and went home.  A good trip.