Solar Eclipse Aug 21, 2017 (Portland, Bend, Corvallis: home, university, calculator)

[Sherwoody]

I wonder how many homes will be "hosting" strangers in their yards for a fee? Has anyone come accross anyone advertising for such things?

[karlsch]

Oregon state officials predict 50,000 people will come to Baker County (population 16,000) for the eclipse. It sounds high to me, but I-84 does run through the county.

NASA is sending 30 observers to Unity, OR (population 71) in Baker County. They have determined that Unity will probably have the best viewing conditions. They will be working with school officials and hard-core “umbraphiles” who travel long distances to observe eclipses. There will a live feed from Unity to the Johnson Space Center.

Some small towns are letting people camp on school football fields.

The state is worried that there might be a gasoline shortage (small towns have filling stations but their tanks are small so they will probably run out) and many city people might end up being stranded, out of gas, on country roads, many in the middle of dark national forests where scary creatures lurk, where there is no WiFi or cell phone coverage.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by karlsch

Oregon state officials predict 50,000 people will come to Baker County (population 16,000) for the eclipse. It sounds high to me, but I-84 does run through the county.

NASA is sending 30 observers to Unity, OR (population 71) in Baker County. They have determined that Unity will probably have the best viewing conditions. They will be working with school officials and hard-core “umbraphiles” who travel long distances to observe eclipses. There will a live feed from Unity to the Johnson Space Center.

Some small towns are letting people camp on school football fields.

The state is worried that there might be a gasoline shortage (small towns have filling stations but their tanks are small so they will probably run out) and many city people might end up being stranded, out of gas, on country roads, many in the middle of dark national forests where scary creatures lurk, where there is no WiFi or cell phone coverage.

It sounds like I will be topping off my tank on the way.

[98IndyPacecarguy]

I didn't realize it at the time back in February when I booked my flight from PDX to LGB going south that morning. Do you think there is anything that can be seen from the sky from a jet heading south to Cali? Any effect at all?

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by 98IndyPacecarguy

I didn't realize it at the time back in February when I booked my flight from PDX to LGB going south that morning. Do you think there is anything that can be seen from the sky from a jet heading south to Cali? Any effect at all?

Only if your flight crosses the eclipse path at exactly 10:15 AM, and that would be subject to the view out your window. Even if your flight is scheduled to cross the eclipse path at that time, you could still miss it, if the flight is delayed even a few minutes. In short, the chances of viewing the eclipse from any commercial flight is slim to none. Your chances of winning the lottery would be better.

[Rob Allen]

I heard on the radio this morning that Oregon State University in Corvallis is renting out its dorm rooms for the eclipse.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Our idea to park 45 RV's in the back yard hit a snag when we discovered all the porta potties are already booked.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Our idea to park 45 RV's in the back yard hit a snag when we discovered all the porta potties are already booked.

But most RV's have bathrooms. So maybe all hope is not lost.

[Hawk J]

I've got a porta potty on my boat.....

[Metlakatla]

Solar Eclipse Or Bust: Small Oregon Towns Grapple With How To Prepare For Thousands . Radio | OPB

Several ranchers are planning to turn their fields into campgrounds at hundreds of dollars per site for the weekend. Some are gearing up to offer water hookups, food and even entertainment — full weekend mini-festivals — while others will just provide space for toilets and to pitch a tent.