I would appreciate suggestions on motels for the 2024 eclipse

[UnCytely]

Please only respond to this if you are familiar with this eclipse I am talking about here, which is occurring on April 8 2024.

I was living in Omaha at the time of the last big one in the US, so it was a leisurely drive to Beatrice Nebraska. I looked closely at some eclipse maps, and the best places to observe this one will be in southern Texas or Mexico. I have never been to either one, though. So, I would appreciate suggestions for motels in cities on the totality line, preferably as far south as possible. Can I book motels this far in advance? Smaller cities might be preferable to avoid crowds, but motels might fill up quicker in such cities.

 

[Candide]

I can't speak to that region, but I was able to book that far out in Cleveland, OH.

 

[Turn2]

I opted for Missouri during the last one. Texas looks like the best bet for the April '24 event, without being able to forecast weather at the time of the event. Wherever you choose, book early and expect near total traffic gridlock for 4-5 hours before and after totality.

 

[pourcyne]

I opted for Missouri during the last one.

Here, too, went to the state park south of Columbia (Rock Bridge).

It. Was. Glorious.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

Buddy is going to Austin TX to see it. The downtown Hampton Inn is nice and great location for both Dirty 6th and Rainey St.

 

[pourcyne]

InCyte, not sure why you're saying TX or Mexico are the best places to observe?

Cape Girardeau, MO, will enjoy the eclipse for 4 minutes and 5 seconds. 10 miles west and you'll get it for 4 more seconds.

Mazatlán gets only 4 seconds more than that.

Fifty miles from Jacson, MO is Ste Genevieve, a teeny-tiny (but touristy) town south of St Louis, but had a marvelous stay once here:

Ste. Genevieve Hotel & Restaurant| Audubon's Hotel & Restaurant | Ste. Genevieve

Audubon's Hotel & Restaurant is located in Historic Downtown Ste. Genevieve. It's the perfect place to stay and enjoy a delicious meal during your visit to our community.

www.theaudubons.com

 

[carvers4math]

Last time we were going to have a short drive to Missouri, but the weather did not look great for it, so made a last minute decision and a very long sleepless drive to Wyoming.

This time, we are thinking drive a day or two before to somewhere like St. Louis or a little farther east or south, and then evaluate the weather for the best direction to head to so we can be more flexible and get more sleep.

 

[BCClone]

Gotta blast this during it.

 

[HFCS]

Gotta blast this during it.

OP is actually Bonnie Tyler booking agent.

 

[mred]

Last time, we booked three different models with good cancellation policies well in advance so we had options based on the weather. This time, we have two booked.

 

[JM4CY]

I thought this was a joke thread. No judgment intended but I did not know this was an actual thing (not eclipses, driving lots of hours and spending money to see them)

 

[Sigmapolis]

I thought this was a joke thread. No judgment intended but I did not know this was an actual thing (not eclipses, driving lots of hours and spending money to see them)

My wife and I watched the (2016? 2017?) one from right under its apogee near Bowling Green, Kentucky. One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Very rarely do you have it so nicely demonstrated that you live on a planet. And I still have the sun goggles from last time around.

 

[mred]

My wife and I watched the (2016? 2017?) one from right under its apogee near Bowling Green, Kentucky. One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Very rarely do you have it so nicely demonstrated that you live on a planet. And I still have the sun goggles from last time around.

As I've told everyone I've talked to about that eclipse, it somehow looks exactly like you expect and nothing like you expect. It's an incredible experience. And this will be the last one in the continental US for over 20 years.

In 2017, we watched it in southern Illinois as we were driving from Iowa to Florida on vacation, so it wasn't out of the way. This time, we'll be driving specifically to see the eclipse.

 

[hobbes]

Little Tall Island in Maine.

 

[SwirlyBird]

Flamingo hotel in marshalltown is a good spot

 

[matclone]

Please only respond to this if you are familiar with this eclipse I am talking about here, which is occurring on April 8 2024.

I'm not, but I'm going to answer anyway.

Can I book motels this far in advance? Smaller cities might be preferable to avoid crowds, but motels might fill up quicker in such cities.

You should be able to book hotels this far in advance. Get on-line or get on the phone.

 

[carvers4math]

I thought this was a joke thread. No judgment intended but I did not know this was an actual thing (not eclipses, driving lots of hours and spending money to see them)

There were huge crowds last time. We were going to stop one place at a park but there was just too large a crowd. Went to a park a bit further. Had to be largest traffic jam in Wyoming history.

An amazing experience that didn’t cost us anything but gasoline with our poor planning Slept a few hours in the car at a rest area on the way back so husband could get to work the next day.

 

[pourcyne]

Last time we were going to have a short drive to Missouri, but the weather did not look great for it, so made a last minute decision and a very long sleepless drive to Wyoming.

This time, we are thinking drive a day or two before to somewhere like St. Louis or a little farther east or south, and then evaluate the weather for the best direction to head to so we can be more flexible and get more sleep.

Yes, it rained most of the way that day from southern Iowa to Columbia, and then, taaaaah-daaaaaaaaaaaah, sunny weather.

Worst part was the 3-hour conga line that went through Macon all the way back to the Iowa border (our turn-off) right when school was getting out. Oy.

Sounds as if there should be a CF Eclipse Event somewhere in Baja, Missouri.

 

[pourcyne]

Sounds as if there should be a CF Eclipse Event somewhere in Baja, Missouri.

I can see it now...a Cy-Bri dunk tank, Natty Lite beer tent, Pin the Tail on Riceville... with the On-That-Note DJ's...and all the Celebrity Moderators personing the grill...Angie and Mr. Janny Kissing booth...

Yeah, dog.

Who cares about astronomical phenomena?

 

[matclone]

I might just fly my Lear Jet up to Novia Scotia.