Conditions here look promising. Predicted to remain clear throughout the event, especially the most impressive parts ≈ 1am > 5am EDT. We're decently dark rural country, which will help appreciate the totality from ≈ 2:30-3:30. I'll be using various binoculars with a few family and just leisurely savoring the views from our back deck. The ideally ergo APM 90o ED APO 100mm with 10mm Delos at 55x will give reasonably close up views. The sturdy Manfrotto 161 MK2Tripod and smoothly balanced Binoptic Yoke is ideal because it cranks up and down while maintaining pointing --- so everyone can share in comfort. I won't be imaging because --- I know almost everyone else... elsewhere... will be sweating over that.
My attitude re' observing has morphed over the years and decades. It used to be frenetic and "accomplishing" a lot > admittedly competitive and getting published frequently. That era is left in the dust and, now in retirement --- I just kick back and relax into enjoying looking up. I'm happy in a different way --- and hoping this clarity will persist. Tom
