Eclipse

On Sunday the weather in Cleveland was clear with bright sunshine. Too bad the eclipse was on Monday! I had been watching the weather obsessively each day and then I started watching the weather obsessively each hour. I told everyone seeing my family would be enough, but it turns out I really wanted to see the eclipse, too.

At noon the weather was beautiful.

I found a filter for my phone in a little free library and tried it ahead of time.

Meh

A couple hours later - clouds moving in.

Most of the family went to Lakeview Cemetery to watch, but I didn't want to leave as early as they were going. I planned to cycle over later (I am so lucky to be able to keep a bicycle in my parents' basement) and decided to hang out with neighbors first.

ESPN glasses my neighbor was given

Too bad D. was not there to tell me that a colander works when the screen (in this case the screen  was the driveway) is about 20-50 times further than the diameter of the hole. Too many diameters away and it is not clear enough and too close it just gives the shape of the hole.

Photo taken by D. during the partial eclipse in California.

Another attempt with my phone

In the end, I am speechless. I don't know how to explain the awe of feeling the temperature drop, taking off my glasses during totality, and wondering what it would have been like to live long before the understanding of astronomy. I am grateful for the experience. 

Anticipation

 

When I was in Cleveland in early December I bought eclipse glasses, which I liked because they had the times written on them. That was when I first learned that it is not only safe to remove eclipse glasses during a total eclipse, but one cannot see the corona of the sun with them still on.

Later in December I bought a ticket to go to Cleveland in April. I knew I would get to see my whole family, which I told myself and everyone else that that would be enough. I was also hoping to see the eclipse, but was not optimistic that the weather would cooperate.

The anticipation was half the fun.

at Cleveland State

online

at the library

gift at the Cleveland Visitors Center

Google Doodle

At Loganberry Books

At the grocery store

National Park Service LEGO Vignettes

And at the airport (slightly edited)

L.A. First

 

I had never been to the Festival of Books before.

I probably would have skipped this year, too, but this ad caught my eye.

We got there before they sold out and I tried not to look longingly at their collection of each card that exists.

They recommend keeping the bamboo card dry.

KUSC, the classical music station, was giving away these tap cards, maybe because they are from last year.

I also wanted to hear the USC marching band, but not so much that I was willing to take a 7:20a train. We took the 9:20a train to Union Station and then a couple metro trains. We were lucky to hop back on the train before it left, having figured out that we could not transfer to an express bus with our tickets.

The poky wires did not stop the pigeons from nesting above the Union Station platform.

The third thing on my wish list was to hear Lois Lowry, an author of many children's books. 

We poked around Frank Sinatra Hall while waiting to hear her speak.

I enjoyed hearing her stories and learning about the other authors.

We had time to wander a bit afterward

David Shannon talking about No, David!

before catching two metros and a train home.

The second metro was so late that we started researching other ways home, but it turns out ninety seconds is just enough time to run one from train to the next. Phew!

April Madness

 

When I saw the brackets in the newspaper I learned that the Final Four would be in Cleveland right before the eclipse. I immediately called my parents to let them know that if anyone was giving away tickets I would love to have one

My mom went online and got free tickets to the practice the day before the final.

The excitement started at the airport.

Please note that there is a train to downtown that leaves directly from the airport, no need to take a shuttle or even go outside.

My neighbor and I took the train from close to home to get to the practice.

We got there before the gates opened

and ended up sitting at center court in the front row of the upper section.

Worth the price!

Each team practiced for an hour.

Each pep band played, too. I was surprised to see a guitar player and also thought it was interesting that they had their music on their phone.

Yes, I did get to see Caitlin Clark shoot lots of three-point shots.

Both teams had men on the court. The guys working with the Iowa team acted as defenders, trying to stop the women from scoring. This article says it is a humbling task.

Afterward people went to a little party on the plaza

Look at that perfect weather!

It was nice to see all the positive posts online.

They were giving away free cans of Coke. No, thanks.
Oh, it has a logo? Yes, please!

View from the train as I headed back to the airport later in the week.

It was a great outing and I loved seeing so many happy people and seeing Cleveland shine.