119 replies to this topic

[jrussell]

For anyone interested in it, I just cancelled my reservation (one night, April 7) at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Gatesville, TX. I don't know what price it will be made available at, but it was $145 with the tax when I reserved it. The center line of the eclipse runs literally through the parking lot of this hotel. I've made other plans so don't need the room.

[speedster]

Comfort Inn in Gatesville would be ideal.  I booked 364 days out and got notice last week that the hotel is cancelling everything in April and May for renovation.  It's legit, they really are closing for those 2 months.  Sad I don't get such an ideal location and virtually nothing left at this late hour but Cindy reminded me that I have a nephew just 5 miles from the center line near Marble Falls so it all works out great for me.

[jrussell]

I kept expecting some kind of cancellation since that's happened to so many people. That, and my desire not to be among throngs of people lead me to look for another location. I found a place a couple of weeks ago that I'm going to instead. Unless I miss my guess there's a fair chance I'll be there alone, or at least among very few people. It's a location I kind of stumbled across and it's not listed correctly on google maps.

[xonefs]

Comfort Suites in Gateville just cancelled my reservation for "mandatory sprinkler upgrades"

 

 

 

 

Edited by xonefs, 20 September 2023 - 11:49 AM.

[xonefs]

Comfort Inn in Gatesville would be ideal.  I booked 364 days out and got notice last week that the hotel is cancelling everything in April and May for renovation.  It's legit, they really are closing for those 2 months.  Sad I don't get such an ideal location and virtually nothing left at this late hour but Cindy reminded me that I have a nephew just 5 miles from the center line near Marble Falls so it all works out great for me.

 

How do you know it is legit?

 

I don't believe in such coincidences and I expected some sort of cancellation was coming. That's 7 months away... I expect they will find a way to complete the upgrades at a different time and open up reservations again in time for the eclipse at adjusted rates.

[jrussell]

Well just checked booking the dates April 6-9 in that area and the Comfort Inn in Killeen shows one room available at $167. For those a little more freewheeling with their money the Econo Lodge in Killeen has several available at $1,249-$1,296. I traveled for work about 10 years ago and stayed at an Econo Lodge once. Once.

[Nicole Sharp]

Because the two biggest hotspots for this eclipse is Mexico and Texas, I'd like to see this thread be for those that are actually traveling to Texas.  For those that live in Texas, your local weather reports would be nice, and, any rumors or facts that you hear about local hotels, B&B's and other rental businesses would be greatly appreciated.

 

So, if you have already booked a room or rental in Texas, or are getting ready to, this thread is for you.

 

For 2017's eclipse, there were rumors and facts about hotels canceling and then re-registering at much higher rates. I think now is an important time to start this thread. 

 

According to a lot of the online hotel and rental (vrbo, airb&b, expedia, etc) sites every hotel and just about every under $300 a night rental / cabin in the large and small towns show booked (Johnson City and East to Fredericksburg, Blanco, Kerville, Boerne, Comfort, Uvalde, Leaky and so forth - basically all of Texas Hill Country). It has been like that for months (hotels since last summer). But, the facebook discussions on the 2024 U.S. Total Solar Eclipse Discussion Group page has people saying that they have recently spoken to the hotels in Kerville and Fredericksburg and the hotels are saying they have not yet opened their reservation books for the April eclipse dates yet. So, which is it, have they booked all of their rooms online through the various travel .com sites or not? If they have, are we looking at mass cancelations and re-bookings at even higher pricing for those booked? How have the international tour groups secured their lodging if they are not booking yet? Curious and antsy minds need to know.

 

So, if you are already booked in Texas and you are notified that your reservation is canceled, or they are demanding more money per night or they will void your reservation, post that up here.

I am traveling to Texas next week for the Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14.  I haven't had any problems with hotel reservations yet.

Edited by Nicole Sharp, 04 October 2023 - 05:22 PM.

[SkipW]

I am traveling to Texas next week for the Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14.  I haven't had any problems with hotel reservations yet.

I haven't, either. This one doesn't have the demand that a total eclipse does. Rooms along the path are still easily available.

[SkipW]

This one [the Oct 14 annular eclipse] doesn't have the demand that a total eclipse does. Rooms along the path are still easily available.

Follow up: On Thursday I booked a new reservation for Friday & Saturday nights in Odessa, TX and canceled my original reservation in Uvalde, TX for those nights because Saturday's cloud forecast in Uvalde was getting progressively worse through the week, and looked terrible on Thursday's forecast.

 

There was still a choice of rooms available about 10 or so miles from the centerline of the annular eclipse, which split the space between Midland and Odessa, even at that late date. Several other eclipse viewers were staying at the same property we ended up in, so it was quite the enjoyable party. The hotel even provided free eclipse glasses (customized for the city)!

Edited by SkipW, 16 October 2023 - 11:31 AM.

[Cowboychemist]

I have 20 acres of land available for boondocking. The following is information I've collected from a solar eclipse map. The land is about 5 or 6 miles from the center line. Great view of the sky. 

 

4m 23.2s (total solar eclipse)
4m 22.8s (lunar limb corrected)
      Help
97° 24' 41.22" W   <—>   -97.41145°
213.0m (699ft)
Umbral depth : 93.93% (90.2km)
Umbral depth : 5.8km (3.6mi)
Path width : 192.0km (119.3mi)
Obscuration : 100.00%  
Max
   Magnitude at maximum : 1.02630
Moon/Sun size ratio : 1.05599
Umbral vel. : 0.737km/s (1649 mph)

 

Also have available a few more spots with 4 min 21 second total eclipse time near the other spot.

 

 

If interested please PM me for details.

[uncle_scrooge]

The upcoming solar eclipse outside of Dallas, TX will be here before you know it. RV Campgrounds are already booked, but you're not too late! Southern Star Events is partnering with Old Bison Ranch, an incredibly beautiful 600 acre uniquely Texas ranch, and we will be hosting RV spots that include fishing, live music, food trucks and more! We are also surrounded by incredible solar eclipse festivals. Book yours before the spots are gone!

 

4:22 seconds of TOTALITY!

 

🌌 Bring your telescopes! Bortle Sky is 4.4! 🔭

 

http://www.southernstarevents.org

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[centuryranch]

Love this thread, good info about camping and lodging for the 2024 Eclipse. We are local, our family has lived in Llano County for over 165 years. If you have questions about the area, feel free to reach out.

 

We have 2 working ranches in Llano County. Pecan Creek Ranch is 3 miles northwest of Llano, TX and Dutch Mt. Ranch is 22 miles southwest of Llano, TX. The City of Llano and the Llano Main Street Program have advised a 4-day minimum for eclipse lodging considering the traffic and congestion expected in this entire area. So while you’re looking for lodging keep in mind the city is asking all renters and visitors to honor this minimum requirement, it’s not just the owners trying to get more money out of visitors

 

Dutch Mt. Ranch is 22 miles southwest of Llano, bordering Enchanted Rock State Park.   It is in the 2024 Eclipse path of Totality, with an estimated 4 minute 25.2 seconds of viewing time. The ENTIRE 1,200 acre ranch is available for exclusive rental. Neighboring Enchanted Rock State Park is 1640 acres with a spectacular 640 acre granite dome near the center and hosts over 350,000 visitors per year (by reservation only).  You can EXCLUSIVELY rent the 1,200 acres next door, climb our Baby Enchanted Rock, Dutch Mountain, for a panoramic view of Enchanted Rock, Bull Head, and Watch Mountain. Enjoy the comfortably furnished lodge and adjoining annex which sleep up to 13 guests.

 

The ranch is available from Saturday, April 6th to Wednesday, April 10th. For $3,200/night you have the opportunity to hike, bike, fish, bird watch, wade the creeks and relax in nature all to yourself highlighted with the spectacular TOTAL ECLIPSE! Lock the gate behind you and pretend the ranch is yours!

 

Pecan Creek Ranch is in the 2024 Eclipse path of Totality, with an estimated 4 minutes 20.1 seconds of viewing time. It has two properties for rent, a lodge and a smaller cottage. The ENTIRE 1,900 acre ranch including wildlife and bird watching, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and breathtaking views of the 2024 Eclipse are available and shared only between the guests of the Lodge and the Cottage which are not within view of each other.

 

Pecan Creek Lodge has 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, and has a maximum occupancy of 11. There is one queen bed, one full size bed and there are 7 single beds. For the 2024 Eclipse it is available from Saturday, April 6th to Wednesday, April 10th for $2,500/night.

 

Pecan Creek Cottage has 1 bedroom with a queen bed, 1 bathroom, and has a maximum occupancy of 2. For the 2024 Eclipse it is available from Saturday, April 6th to Wednesday, April 10th. $750/night.

 

Although we have been hosting lodging on the ranch for over 30 years, this is a unique opportunity for all of us; hosts or guests!  We, in Llano, are working together to make this a wonderful event for everyone! Please feel free to reach out for more information here on the forum or through our contact form.

 

Edited by centuryranch, 04 January 2024 - 09:51 PM.

[OK Apricot]

Assuming all my flight and hire car arrangements stay as they are, I've made a booking at Days Inn in San Angelo from 5th-8th, pay at the desk on arrival for $154 including tax. Let's see how long until they cancel on me!

[jrussell]

So the "mandatory sprinkler upgrades" at the Comfort Inn in Gatesville, TX appears to have been a bunch of hooey. Seems they have plenty of availability now April 7-9 for $651/night.

[xonefs]

So the "mandatory sprinkler upgrades" at the Comfort Inn in Gatesville, TX appears to have been a bunch of hooey. Seems they have plenty of availability now April 7-9 for $651/night.

Of course it was. Called it. 

[xonefs]

I just gave them a one star on google explaining the facts of what happened, I would encourage anyone else who booked and got cancelled to leave them a nice review as well. 

 

https://www.google.c...7bckw?entry=ttu

Edited by xonefs, 08 January 2024 - 02:44 PM.

[kasprowy]

I just gave them a one star on google explaining the facts of what happened, I would encourage anyone else who booked and got cancelled to leave them a nice review as well. 

 

https://www.google.c...7bckw?entry=ttu

Nice - Hopefully they get zero takers and wind up losing money. As for me, I'll be camping for $14, with a 57% chance of cloud, instead of Texas' 52%.

[afrancis]

As for me, I'll be camping for $14, with a 57% chance of cloud, instead of Texas' 52%.

Not sure what we are going to do yet. Probably a last minute decision. We have an RV camp site reservation at the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Illinois. Elec/Water site for $12 per night with our Lifetime National Park Pass discount. I also have a free boon-docking space available in Waco, TX (friend of a friend) but really don't want to travel that far unless I'm absolutely sure of the weather. My GF still works full time and Waco would add three days to our trip. I know, boo hoo
 

Edited by afrancis, 09 January 2024 - 04:09 PM.

[jrussell]

Going back to the hotel in Gatesville for a moment, a member of our local club said that they originally had a reservation there and that hotel is actually closed currently and doing renovations. Perhaps they cancelled in anticipation of the renovations still being ongoing in April? Perhaps things are moving along more quickly than they'd originally planned and will be able to be open sooner than expected? Used the renovations as an excuse to raise the prices? I don't know. I'm not sure it all passes the smell test, but not being in the know, I really can't say.

[Bigred77]

I live very close to this resort hotel that is in the path of totality in the Texas Hill Country.

looks like they still have some availability, some pretty expensive, but if you are travelling with a group the condo prices dont look that bad.

 

https://www.hsbresort.com/

[cloudsabove]

Heading to stay with friend in Austin, and just pulled the trigger on tickets for myself and 10 year old.  I'm aware I'm late to the game here. This is my take away from this and other threads:

• 50% chance of not seeing eclipse due to weather
• Travel to viewing location early in the morning ( or day before if possible )
• Expect to be mobile to avoid clouds. This will be difficult in TX due to traffic and flood of people
• Enjoy self in Austin in case eclipse is a blowout, will still be a fun trip
• We will go nowhere fast after eclipse due to massive traffic jam

I've seen a range of "locations", from pre-planned campsites, to building tops, to side of road. My original vision was to be out somewhere solitary, preferably in flat desert, where I could see phenomena like light ripples on the ground. This captured my imagination years ago, and it is something I'd like to see if possible. However, it sounds like due to weather, being mobile will be more important than a scenic view. What are people's thoughts on this?

 

I'm bringing my son, and I wasn't sure if I should be going more for the "eclipse chasing adventure" or "spiritual nature and the sun has been blotted out of the sky" or "Stick with the group, and enjoy being around other people". I know these are super subjective - I'm just curious what your own experience is.

 

From a planning point of view

• How unrealistic will it be to make an 8 pm flight out of Austin? I know traffic will be bad, but just how insanely bad?
• How important is being center line to the totality? For example ( assuming clear skies ) How large is the difference between being in Georgetown vs Waco vs on the line? Is it as straight forward as how many seconds of totality you get?

 

TIA

[SporadicGazer]

  ...  Is it as straight forward as how many seconds of totality you get? ...

To the first order, yes.  Being on the centerline means the full diameter of the moon's shadow will pass over you.  Off to the side you will get a smaller slice.

 

Here is a map which shows the path and will give you time and duration for any point you click:

 

http://xjubier.free....gleMapFull.html

 

Other than duration, I guess there can be subtle differences, especially for the rays at C2 & C3 depending on the angle you're observing from.  But that's way above my expertise!

[cloudsabove]

I've been using that map - I didn't realize I could get information by clicking! Thank you!

[Bigred77]

If you are staying in Georgetown for the actual eclipse time, you will have some totality for sure, and there is a nice toll road that loops around Austin's east side (read away from the 'destination' side where people will have headed towards the center of the path) that toll road takes you straight from Georgetown to the airport at 80 mph in normal traffic. Hopefully things won't be too bad traffic wise that far away

[harringtondl]

This is an interesting thread regarding the search for suitable viewing locations and lodging in Texas. I just found out today (Feb 4; 2024) that I have an ideal eclipse viewing hotel room available for April 6 and 7, 2024. It is in Eagle Pass, Texas at the Wyndham Microtel Hotel and Suites, which is 6 miles from the centerline and 1.5 miles from the international bridge to Mexico. It has two Queen beds and an extra-late checkout on April 8. I am a private party and 70-year eclipse chaser (1954 for the first one) and booked and paid for two rooms 16 months ago; one for myself & wife (for my 20th total eclipse) and one room for my son and his wife. I am the past-president of the Warren Astronomical Society in Warren, Michigan. Just found out today that my son cannot go, so the room is available. It should be one of the prime spots in the USA to view the eclipse. For any interest or questions on this room, just post a reply.       Dave Harrington