Oregon and Eclipse 2017

For the total solar eclipse Monday, I traveled to Portland Oregon with my boyfriend and saw some old college buddies that live in Hillsboro and stayed at their place. We woke up at 3am to get to the site viewpoint Shellburg falls (outside of it, five miles) he chose for us to go to.

The drive took us 2-3hrs to other side of Oregon. I saw small quails crossing the street late in the afternoon, a sunrise, that is hardly describable here, best in person, pictures don't do justice, same with an eclipse memory that was amazing! It was well worth heavy traffic after and lack of sleep, and a long 10 mile hike in heat and blisters on ankles, and being sore the next day.

Totality of 2mns and total darkness, silence all around. Animals were quiet.

Some people howled at the moon and danced around. I lay on a towel with my guy between power lines and a meadow field stretching miles around.

We went to Portland, which he had never been, so I showed him around, and we went to Deschutes Brewery, which was good beer, meh food, although those fries though....

I was booked on an afternoon flight home and walked up to podium when my name was called, turns out a family needed a seat freed up on the flight, so I gave up my seat, saw a later flight on board and asked to take it. They changed my flight for free, booked premium package, and it was a blessing for me to give up my spot. I had more time with my man, and I helped a family out. I was able to see sunset from the airplane back to San Diego and I had a wonderful time. 

I learned that quality time matters more in this life; learning this time and again. Work gets in the way of this all the time. I do my best and what I can. Sometimes you can not do it all. I made a pact I would do an international trip a year every year for awhile. Circumstances in my life and new job have changed that. I at first was angry with this, but I am slowly accepting, it isnt' about me anymore. Hey frankly, it probably never was!