Solar Eclipse on august 21, 2017 (Payette, Hailey: home, camp, closing)

[Wisertime]

I think some of the hype is overblown. I can't see any reason to worry about groceries. The event only lasts two and half minutes in a narrow range. While I would keep gas tank full if you have to drive that day, people will disperse in short order I'm sure. Madras OR is expecting ridiculous traffic jams, but I guess that has more to do with their lack of parallel and alternate routes. I think maybe 10% of people are even aware the eclipse is coming up. 80% think 95% zone or wherever they are will be good enough to stay home to watch or "I'll just catch the next one". Places like SC might have a bit of gridlock from people driving from densely populated areas in all directions on already busy RT 95 & 85.

Have fun, embrace it and count yourself lucky to be in the path.

[shades_of_idaho]

Well Midvale IS one of those places accessed by a two lane,for the most part, highway 95. Even local people avoid driving it on Friday afternoons and evenings to avoid all the campers heading up this way to get out for their wilderness experiences. Especially holiday weekends. We were told it could take upwards of 5 hours to go 36 miles or maybe the 40miles to finally hit highway I84. Personally I am not worried about getting groceries because the way I eat is very limited. I just fill my freezer with meat butter and cheese fridge with eggs and almond milk and call it good. I just do not want to have to be any where near any town when the people start to come in. We have been told the people could be coming in starting the Thursday before. Some coming for the get away factor and the eclipse so come camping for a week and get to see the eclipse kind of thing. So far I have been told by those supposedly in the know there could be 100K people here. In a town of onehundred and sixty people ,not thousands of people,that is a huge increase. 25K people coming in would boggle down this town.

I guess all there is to do is just wait and see what happens after all I have been through way worse things in my last year what is one more? The sheriff scanner will be interesting to listen to. I feel sorry for them because they will be spread way to thin with a huge area to cover on grid locked roads. Maybe I will cook a turkey and tell dispatch I will be serving them sandwiches when needed. Now that is a good way to get protection. OH YES now this is a plan..................

[mike1003]

We will all know soon if it's real or Memorex.

From everything I read, the crowds will be real

[echo7tango]

Originally Posted by mike1003

We will all know soon if it's real or Memorex.

From everything I read, the crowds will be real

That's why I'm avoiding major highways (interstates, US Hwys, state highways) and plan to be off those roads and onto dirt trails by 6 AM. My drive to my chosen spot(s) is about 1 hour on a small Idaho highway. And then I'll be on forest service trails for the eclipse.

I hope that will work and that I won't be jammed up in traffic that morning, because it'll be early.

On another overlanding forum that I'm a member of, people have extensively scouted possible eclipse viewing spots. Some plan to be in place in remote, 4x4 and high clearance accessible trails, a week before the eclipse and camping out in their rigs.

[shades_of_idaho]

Originally Posted by echo7tango

That's why I'm avoiding major highways (interstates, US Hwys, state highways) and plan to be off those roads and onto dirt trails by 6 AM. My drive to my chosen spot(s) is about 1 hour on a small Idaho highway. And then I'll be on forest service trails for the eclipse.

I hope that will work and that I won't be jammed up in traffic that morning, because it'll be early.

On another overlanding forum that I'm a member of, people have extensively scouted possible eclipse viewing spots. Some plan to be in place in remote, 4x4 and high clearance accessible trails, a week before the eclipse and camping out in their rigs.

I think this thinking is some of the same I have been hearing here echo7tango. This is why I was hoping to get all needed supplies in here so I can just sit back and let whatever happens happen. I will end up going to town tomorrow for the first time in three weeks. My groceries have held up well in that time and if I just bought a little bit more I could easily not have to go back to town until well after the eclipse. Ordered my prescription to pick up tomorrow and I am good for three months on that. An extra package of chicken and burger and I am golden LOL. I am finding I am very content to be home most of the time.

[mike1003]

What is high heat, fire season, possibly 100s of thousand visitors and overcrowded roads going to do to the infrastructure of such an underpopulated state???

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by mike1003

What is high heat, fire season, possibly 100s of thousand visitors and overcrowded roads going to do to the infrastructure of such an underpopulated state???

Good question with no answers. No one knows for sure what will happen.

I worry about a wildfire.

It's hot and dry, dry, dry. With 500,000+ expected, someone will make a mistake.

[Cnynrat]

Originally Posted by banjomike

Good question with no answers. No one knows for sure what will happen.

I worry about a wildfire.

It's hot and dry, dry, dry. With 500,000+ expected, someone will make a mistake.

I share your concern Mike. Don't know about down in the area of totality, but here in the north we haven't had any rain at all for over a month, and about half of normal for the two months before that. It's been very dry, and hotter than normal.

Dave

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by Cnynrat

I share your concern Mike. Don't know about down in the area of totality, but here in the north we haven't had any rain at all for over a month, and about half of normal for the two months before that. It's been very dry, and hotter than normal.

Dave

It's the same here. The entire area is doing a good job of organizing and planning for the flood of people, but it's very hard to prepare when no one actually knows how much to prepare for. Or where the most preparation is needed.

I just hope no one does something really stupid, like lighting off a big bunch of fireworks in the middle of it.

I also hope some necessary cautions will be thoroughly publicized so folks who come can have a list of do's and dont's for staying safe. With so many expected, that's the best way to keep a fire from breaking out.

[shades_of_idaho]

Originally Posted by mike1003

What is high heat, fire season, possibly 100s of thousand visitors and overcrowded roads going to do to the infrastructure of such an underpopulated state???

A little what I am worried about too and with the roads possibly plugged up the fire crews ambulance sheriff might not be able to get through.

I just can not imagine what this is going to look like. I also wonder about the trash left behind of so many.

I am trying very hard to be calm on all of this. I am also fearful for every one. I think we all need to CYA be alert and cautious. I was less concerned when the snow and ice was threatening to take down my house and garage last winter because I knew what I had to do to save all of it. Get the snow off the roofs which I did. Day after day after day until I was cleared. Every one else had their own problems with it so no help available. But this coming at us I do not think any one really knows what is going to happen. Do I defend my 150 foot wide driveway from people wanting to park? do I care if they park there. Well not really but if some thing happens and they decide to try to sue me for who know what then am I to blame for being the nice guy? Will there be people in town because of the trees around? Hopefully not. Will I be leaving my house for better viewing. NO WAY! I am anxious to go to the meeting on Monday to hear what the Sheriff and DA have to say as far as preparation we all need to make.