119 replies to this topic

[bunyon]

I think canceling a reservation is a far worse sin than asking a high rate. You ask a rate and if someone says yes, congrats. But once you've agreed, you should stand by it.

 

Of course, my thoughts on the matter are not worth enough to rent a cup of cold coffee.

[DeanS]

A group of us have 8 sites reserved at a campground in Kerrville.  $150/nite with 3 nite minimum.

 

Will be a fun time.

[Phillip Creed]

$150/night for each campsite?

Clear Skies,

Phil

[NickLandis2023]

Starting to see flights for the week before. United Airlines is currently booking flights for April 3rd and all flights into TX are $1,300+ each way. Is this just what I'm going to have to pay, or do you think once other airlines start booking I'll be able to get cheaper flights?

[bunyon]

If you book as soon as they’re available that’s ballpark what you’ll pay

[Cajundaddy]

FWIW we had a great experience in 2017.  

We brought an RV and camped well outside the shadow a few days prior.  The following day we did a weather review and then scouted likely observing locations.  We found a school in Weiser ID that opened up their sports field to campers for $30/night to help fund school programs.  We quickly reserved a spot and brought in the rig 24hrs prior to the event.  The people there were absolutely lovely and local BBQ places came through on golf carts with delicious treats for sale in the evening.  A long time AP and eclipse chaser set up right next to us and we simply had a lovely time while the school added a bunch of cash to their sports programs.  Clear skies, a fabulous community vibe, and a good time was had by all.  A win-win.

We are planning a similar approach in TX next year.  Clear skies are everything so we plan to camp somewhere in hill country and drive to the best views within 24 hours of the event.  Several friends and family are within 2 hours of the center line so we may base camp there for a final assault on the most likely clear skies.  I do not plan to reward hotels playing cancellation games and renting rooms at Super Bowl prices.

 

[JMW]

Does anyone have information on which region has the lowest probability of clouds for the first half of April? I assume that Texas and Arkansas would be better than further north east. I assume that the flatter the area the more east-west/north-south farm roads would be available to move around on. We are going to be doing a road trip from Reno. I would like to have the ability to move around in the last 48 hours before the eclipse to move to the most probable place for clear skies. Will be car or trailer camping but are willing to sleep in the vehicle on the night before the total eclipse.  

 

We have some extended family that live in Fayetteville, Arkansas that we might visit after the eclipse. We are semi-retired and plan on making it a two week road trip. Might visit Big Bend National Park several days before the eclipse to enjoy the park and the dark skies. 

[kasprowy]

Does anyone have information on which region has the lowest probability of clouds for the first half of April? I assume that Texas and Arkansas would be better than further north east. I assume that the flatter the area the more east-west/north-south farm roads would be available to move around on. We are going to be doing a road trip from Reno. I would like to have the ability to move around in the last 48 hours before the eclipse to move to the most probable place for clear skies. Will be car or trailer camping but are willing to sleep in the vehicle on the night before the total eclipse.  

 

We have some extended family that live in Fayetteville, Arkansas that we might visit after the eclipse. We are semi-retired and plan on making it a two week road trip. Might visit Big Bend National Park several days before the eclipse to enjoy the park and the dark skies. 

Anywhere in Texas is 47~56% cloud probability, not much better than southern Illinois (57%) where I will be. Dallas isn't much better than Cleveland, for instance, so I don't really understand the rush to get into Texas for this. You need to be in Mexico to get down to 20 or 30%. These charts:

 

https://eclipsophile...entre-cloud.png

 

https://eclipsophile...-NoAm-cloud.png

 

https://eclipsophile.com/2024tse/

 

should help, but remember, it's just probabilities. You'll either see it or you won't, which is why I'll spend $14 and a four hour car ride, but not several hundred dollars per night plus thousand dollar+ airfare. It could be cloudy in Texas and sunny in Quebec. Clear Skies!

Edited by kasprowy, 03 May 2023 - 04:45 PM.

[JMW]

I live in Reno so Texas is a reasonable place as any. Going to Big Bend NP to do astronomy camping, site seeing and hiking before the eclipse may make the road trip worth while. Same with visiting extended family in Fayetteville, Arkansas. If I did the eclipse road trip and nothing else then the trip is a bust if clouded out. If I get to enjoy Big Bend National Park and visit some family then two thirds of the trip goals are completed regardless of eclipse day weather.

 

Thanks for the first link showing the chances of clouds on the centerline. Exactly the information I was looking for.

[kasprowy]

Sorry. Didn't mean you in particular, just the overall consensus here that TX is better than anywhere else west of the Mississippi. Sounds like a good time in Big Bend, and yes, from your location, it's probably closest. Good Luck. I'm camping right next to the Mississippi.

Edited by kasprowy, 03 May 2023 - 06:27 PM.

[tsk1979]

I found a private airbnb at Yantis Texas. Hopefully they do not cancel. If they do cancel, will probably stay a bit away from the centerline and drive to the eclipse point

[DeanS]

Wonder when TSP will be next year?  Sure would be nice if it was after the eclipse.

[DeanS]

$150/night for each campsite?

Clear Skies,

Phil

Yes crazy prices, almost like the Keys.

 

The RV resort says they will have activities, entertainment, food trucks, etc so will not be boring for sure.  

[bunyon]

I do not think TSP has ever been as early as April 8. So I’d guess the next new moon.

[t-ara-fan]

Now, I'm going to start this off. I booked a room through vrbo which states the host has 24 hours to decide on accepting the reservation or not.
 

I had a trip to Paris booked last October, with an apartment through VRBO. 
 

The "host" (I have a different 4 letter word for him) cancelled 3 days before my trip, because "he got more money from someone else for Paris Fashion Week". This is after I had paid my 50% deposit 9 months in advance.

 

VRBO has a cute clause in their system: you can only write a review if you STAY in one of their places.  So all the people getting reamed by their hosts can't warn others on the website. NEVER AGAIN. Avoid like a MonkeyPox Parade.

Edited by t-ara-fan, 21 May 2023 - 08:18 PM.

[Jim Haley]

I live SW of Houston, TX.   Started to call around to hotels and VRBO properties and found either they are not taking reservations for April 8 prior to January 2024 (many hotels) OR they were $1,200+ per night with 5 night minimum stay (mostly houses).   This trend extends all the way east to Houston!

 

I then started looking at campgrounds.  Established campgrounds with RV hook ups were mostly booked out and about $500 minimum for a mandatory 3-4 night stay.  HOWEVER, they gave me reference to popup campgrounds much more reasonable.  Many of them have not even started advertising yet.  

 

If I were looking for a place to camp/stay for a reasonable price I would go WEST of the totality path to Ranches (like the X-Bar ranch near Eldorado) and/or Hotels etc.  Then I would drive EAST, NE, or South East to clear skies day of eclipse.  The bulk of eclipse watchers will be driving WEST from the cities to get into the path and EAST to go home after.  Staying on the WEST side of the path should avoid possible massive traffic tie ups.  

 

As I said above many of the pop ups have not even started advertising /taking reservations yet.  After seeing the recent prices I am waiting for the event to get closer in the expectation that prices will probably come down (in January?) when Hotels do not sell out and all the "PopUp camping" comes on line.  I just don't not see an advantage to making reservations now.

Edited by Jim Haley, 01 June 2023 - 10:09 AM.

[bunyon]

Found y'all a room (to be fair, that's two rooms)

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Edited by bunyon, 06 June 2023 - 03:09 PM.

[t-ara-fan]

Found y'all a room (to be fair, that's two rooms)

Thanks. And I appreciate your negotiating $13,000 of the rack rate
 

[Katharine]

Yeesh.  Still waiting to see if my reasonably-priced reservation gets canceled.  My flight is nonrefundable, so if hotel gets canceled, I'll have to figure out if I'm going to take the hit on the flight, or take a chance on trying to sleep in the rental car (the chance will be whether I'd be able to find somewhere to park it overnight where I won't spend all night being chased off by law enforcement or angry property owners-- or, if I'm really being imaginative, maybe robbed by folks who see easy pickings in all of the people doing the same).

[Jim Haley]

Yeesh.  Still waiting to see if my reasonably-priced reservation gets canceled.  My flight is nonrefundable, so if hotel gets canceled, I'll have to figure out if I'm going to take the hit on the flight, or take a chance on trying to sleep in the rental car (the chance will be whether I'd be able to find somewhere to park it overnight where I won't spend all night being chased off by law enforcement or angry property owners-- or, if I'm really being imaginative, maybe robbed by folks who see easy pickings in all of the people doing the same).

Many Walmarts and some truck stops allow overnight parking.  In Texas overnight parking is also allowed in Rest Stops.  Definitely would not be my first choice but...... 

[Katharine]

Many Walmarts and some truck stops allow overnight parking.  In Texas overnight parking is also allowed in Rest Stops.  Definitely would not be my first choice but...... 

Nor mine!  And I'm sure everyone will have the same idea, which is my worry-- that they'll get so overloaded (or anticipate getting so overloaded) they'll start throwing people out.  Won't know until I try, though...  (Hoping I won't have to, but being able to book a room for a reasonable price is just too good to be true...)
 

[Jim Haley]

Nor mine!  And I'm sure everyone will have the same idea, which is my worry-- that they'll get so overloaded (or anticipate getting so overloaded) they'll start throwing people out.  Won't know until I try, though...  (Hoping I won't have to, but being able to book a room for a reasonable price is just too good to be true...)
 

Have you checked out towns west of the eclipse path for reasonably priced accommodations?   Probably less traffic issues on the west side of the path vs the east side of the path (and all the big cities).  

 

Texas Towns West of Eclipse Line roughly North to South include Pottsboro, Denison, Sherman, Gainesville, Valley View, Sanger, Chico, Bridgeport, Denton (Just N of Dallas), Decatur, Springtown, Axle, Mineral Wells, Mills, Santo, Gordon, Thurber (On I20), Strawn, Eastland, Gorman, DeLeon, Early, Santa Anna, Brookesmith, Lohn, Ballinger, Paint Rock, Eden, Melvin, Adams, Juno, Carner, Windmill, Comstock, Langtry.  I really like Menard, Eldorado, Sonora, Eden, San Angelo and surrounding towns because they are generally west of Lake Buchanan and other large bodies of water.  Viewing the eclipse over large water bodies can reduce afternoon clouds (at least that is how it worked for me in 2017).

 

https://www.xbarranch.com Is one "ranch" with accomodations about 50 miles outside the path.  

 

Let us know where you end up!

[Jim Haley]

Here is an example of "pop-up" camp sites and this is in the path.  $100 per night, 3 night minimum (not that you have to use all three nights.  Plus it has running water bath rooms and shower (I believe...check to be sure).  At least will know will not be "chased off" in the middle of the night and will be well placed to run up and down the path a few hundred miles if necessary eclipse day.

 

https://www.hillcoun...nformation.html

 

Perhaps pick up a tent and sleeping bag after depart plane and/or bring in checked baggage.  

Edited by Jim Haley, 21 June 2023 - 09:24 AM.

[Jim Haley]

Also see this thread for more camping info (if go that route).  

 

https://www.cloudyni.../#entry12763971

[Katharine]

Have you checked out towns west of the eclipse path for reasonably priced accommodations?   Probably less traffic issues on the west side of the path vs the east side of the path (and all the big cities).  

 

Texas Towns West of Eclipse Line roughly North to South include Pottsboro, Denison, Sherman, Gainesville, Valley View, Sanger, Chico, Bridgeport, Denton (Just N of Dallas), Decatur, Springtown, Axle, Mineral Wells, Mills, Santo, Gordon, Thurber (On I20), Strawn, Eastland, Gorman, DeLeon, Early, Santa Anna, Brookesmith, Lohn, Ballinger, Paint Rock, Eden, Melvin, Adams, Juno, Carner, Windmill, Comstock, Langtry.  I really like Menard, Eldorado, Sonora, Eden, San Angelo and surrounding towns because they are generally west of Lake Buchanan and other large bodies of water.  Viewing the eclipse over large water bodies can reduce afternoon clouds (at least that is how it worked for me in 2017).

 

https://www.xbarranch.com Is one "ranch" with accomodations about 50 miles outside the path.  

 

Let us know where you end up!

There was a hostel a bit off the path that I had called, and if their prices were reasonable I considered booking that as well, as a backup...

 

Good list-- thanks!