#jessejamespark

Mama always told me not to look into the sights of the sun Whoa, but mama that's where the fun is

-Bruce Springsteen / Blinded by the Light, 1973

I’m late to this entry, but was recently recalling the unique and inspired communal event of experiencing the solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. My photography above doesn’t do it justice (try NASA), so I’ll share a bit below. 

Family and I ventured north of Kansas City to beautiful Jesse James Park in Kearney, MO (sweet poster and t-shirt above) for the festivities that Monday, complete with MoonPie eating contest. Attendance was much lighter than expected, likely due to heavy cloud cover and rain throughout the area. However, we happily set up a tent, dined on snacks and conversed with a kind neighbor. It also helped to have the day off work.

We patiently waited out the questionable morning meteorology to be rewarded with an opening in the blue skies come witness of the main event. Glasses on! It was glorious goosebumps. Especially when the sky went dark mid-day, confusing and exciting humans and animals alike. Everyone cheered. Perspective was put. If only for a few minutes, and in revolve of something often out of reach, the world felt of a better balance and spirit. 

It happened so fast. Aircraft soon followed to chase the eclipse’s path across the country. I will never forget this illuminated sliver of my existence. Nor my Monsters, Inc. shaved ice (above)! Not to mention how almost immediately after it happened the sky blackened to belch out the most torrential downpour I’ve seen in some time. It took us three hours to get home, but worth it.

Heaven Sent: I spotted the above vinyl by Eclipse two days prior! 

PS: Naturally, I had to happily revisit this movie shortly after the eclipse.