ECLIPSE & EBIKES

The total eclipse of the sun was on Monday, April 8th here in Burlington.

We wanted to view it from some place special, so I had the idea to rent ebikes and Anna suggested we bike to Shelburne Farms, bring a picnic, and climb Lone Tree Hill. This was a fantastic idea!  

Paul, Sandy, all four of us, Sylvan, Glynnis, Helen and John all rode together to Shelburne farms.  The ebikes were spectacularly fun!!! Every one of us hooted and hollered as we headed south on route 7. It was such a rare event at the farm that for the first time ever, they allowed folks to bike at the Farm Barn.  Then we just had a short hike up to Lone Tree Hill.  There was a smallish crowd at first, maybe about 30 people. We settled our blankets and picnic and had a great view of the lake and the Adirondak's. We were ready for the eclipse. Spirits were very high. 

We arrived hours before the actual eclipse so we had time to walk the farm, play some frisbee and eat.   We walked about 7 miles in all that day. Once the eclipse started, we headed back to our spot on the hill and donned our protective eye gear. People were buzzing and the collective anticipation was palpable. We were alert and all of us were noticing any changes in the sun/moon overlay as well as the air temperature, the lighting, and an annoying mosquitoe uptick.  The eclipse was quite remarkable, and certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was absolutely riveting and stunning and thrilling and surreal and strange.  An absolutely amazing day in every way.