The Great American Eclipse of 2017

The Great American Eclipse of 2017 was one of the most anticipated events of the summer. It was the first solar eclipse since 1918 to perfectly line up across the country, coast to coast, so it’s no surprise that people went crazy trying to get the best view of this big moment.

Making its way from Oregon to South Carolina, the total eclipse lasted about 90 minutes. The stellar phenomenon transformed day into night for a few incredible minutes and I can say from personal experience that it was an unforgettable sight to see.

I traveled to Bend, Oregon to view the eclipse. Bend was one of the very first sections of the U.S. to experience the narrow path of totality—the cross section of the United States where the earth, moon and sun fully aligned. Not only is Bend, Oregon a gorgeous, rugged nature-lovers dream destination, but it also offers a rich arts and culture scene and one of the best craft brewing scenes in the country.

Located on the scenic Deschutes River, it’s also widely known for its unparalleled, scenic terrain and outdoor sports like fishing, hiking, white-water rafting and mountain biking. While there I hiked up the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, explored the base of the Big Obsidian Flow which is home to over 170 million cubic yards of glassy obsidian and pumice, admired Paulina Falls and camped underneath the stars in anticipation of the eclipse in the Deschutes National Forest.

The views were spectacular! One of my favorites was of Mount Jefferson, a stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc, during the sunrise. It turned a lovely shade of pink!

I wanted to share with you guys my experience tracking down The Great American Eclipse of 2017. Who else was able to view it?

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Newberry caldera obsidian flow

Pauline Falls

Mt. Jefferson during the sunrise

Mt. Jefferson post-sunrise

The Great American Eclipse of 2017

Chelsea is a San Francisco-based journalist whose passion revolves around exploring the world, immersing herself in foreign cultures, and of course, eating and drinking everything delicious.

Her work can be found in TravelPulse, Forbes, INSIDER, SF Gate and more. She covers all things food, drink and travel and is always up for an adventure, whether that means an adrenaline-pumping excursion or trying a new cuisine.