Total Solar Eclipse as viewed from Corvallis, Oregon, Aug 21, 2017.

A mile to the east, Oregon State University hosted a viewing party at the intramural sports field, and a half-mile to the west, the county hosted a viewing party at the county fairgrounds. We (and a couple dozen other locals) chose instead an open field between the two. This was accessible only by a hiking/cycling trail and offered a broad view of the horizon so we could get the "360-degree twilight" experience.

I took photos of the 1979 eclipse, the last previous total solar eclipse visible from the continental United States. Since it clipped only the northwest United States and was surrounded by winter storms, not that many people got to watch it.

The 2017 eclipse would be watched by millions and many would be taking photos better than I could, so this time around I was content to just sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

Well, okay ... I couldn't go completely "cold turkey", so took along my mini-DV camcorder to record the ambience.