Other Plans

Above, the El Rancho's Monument Valley enchiladas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While millions of people gather in today's solar eclipse umbra, I will be in Gallup having some Monument Valley enchiladas at the Silver Screen restaurant at the El Rancho Hotel.

The Gallup area will not be within the umbra (or path) of the eclipse (maybe we'll get a partial eclipse) anyway, so I will be enjoying a hearty breakfast and doing a little grocery shopping. I already made out my list. 

Some friends are now in Texas awaiting the celestial event. One posted a photo of himself and his wife at the Alamo in San Antonio. Maybe they're looking for the basement? At least if there's cloudy skies, they will take in some attractions in the Lone Star State to make the trip worthwhile. 

2024 Eclipse Vacation Ideas

Looking over the path of the 2024 solar eclipse, I noticed that its path will cross over San Antonio and Austin, Texas. It'll also cross over Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Since AccuWeather says that further south during the eclipse, the weather would likely be more cooperative for eclipse viewing. After all, it will be happening in April. 

San Antonio is probably most famous for the Alamo. Since I have never been there, it would be a good place to wander around in (and see if there's a basement in the Alamo). 

Austin is the capital of Texas. As such, a visit to the state capitol building would be something to do as would be a visit to the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. Also, west of Austin, is the LBJ Ranch.

While down in south Texas, a possible excursion to Houston could be worth a diversion. It is the home of the Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston. Since I have been a fan of the U.S. Space Program, I would likely enjoy a visit. Houston is about 165 miles east of Austin.

Well, I do have three years from now to plan a trip. These are something to consider.

Next Year's Trip?

Above, The Beast at the Elk City, Oklahoma KOA. It would be along the way home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since this year's long trip will be going north to see the eclipse in Idaho, I am already thinking about next year's trip.

I was reading an article at Do It Yourself RV on Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World in Florida and that started me thinking.

They wrote:

Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground in Orlando, Florida might be one of the most unique places to camp in the U.S. Not only is this resort massive (it takes up more than 700 acres of the park), but it’s close to all the action while feeling like it’s in the middle of a pine forest, complete with non-animated deer and raccoons. 

The campground has private sites and features all the amenities of most resorts, as well as a few Disney specialties. This includes two heated pools that are open 24 hours a day, rental cabins, several restaurants and stores, a marina, playgrounds, tennis courts, horse and pony rides, a petting zoo, fishing, bike rentals, private carriage rides, and even Segway tours.

Actually, I started thinking about going there about a year or so ago. But situations change, along with travel focusing.

In looking over the map book, I figure on heading east along Interstate 10 with stops along the way including Carlsbad Caverns National Park, San Antonio (to see if there's a basement at the Alamo) and New Orleans (to try out some good Cajun foods) before reaching Florida. There seems to be a lot of nice RV parks along the way to enjoy.

For the return trip home, I will probably take Interstate 40 and see some attractions along that route including Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis (this time to see the new entertainment complex at Graceland) and Tombstone (I was last there around 1989).

Since I won't be in a hurry, I plan to confine each day's drive to around 350 miles or less as much as possible.

I have a while before deciding.