AWESOME!

Above, the sun's corona during the total eclipse. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The trip back to Lava Hot Springs took me four and a half hours. It seemed like half (or more) the population of Utah was in Idaho for the eclipse.

By the time I reached the KOA, I was tired and hungry. It was bumper-to-bumper traffic from a few miles north of Idaho Falls to Pocatello. We crawled at about 15-20  m.p.h. most of the way.

But was it worth it? Yep, you betcha!

I got up earlier than planned and headed out of Lava Hot Springs by around 4:30 AM. The traffic heading up Interstate 15 was busier than usual, but not too bad.

I found an area that is next to Interstate 15 that was to the west of Rexburg (I was actually on the outskirts of Roberts, Idaho). Eclipse watchers occupied areas next to the Interstate from both sides. I joined the bunch on the western (or southbound) side.

After getting parked, I made a pot of coffee and waited for the time of the eclipse. It was to begin with the partial eclipse at 10:15. A little over an hour later, the total eclipse would occur.

The word awesome is bandied about a lot these days, but it perfectly described the display I saw this morning!

Here's some photographs of the event:

Above, The Beast at the viewing area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, other people at our viewing area near I-15. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an early phase of the eclipse before totality. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, eclipse watchers across Interstate 15. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the area in the moon's shadow during totality. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, The Beast during totality. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the total eclipse of the sun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, this is called "the diamond ring effect" as the sun emerges from totality. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

More eclipse photos here.