I know the thread is aimed at Oregonians, but I thought I’d chime in too (like I’m doing on nearly every eclipse thread, because I’m so excited).
I’m flying in from the UK for the eclipse. That’s how big a deal it is. If there’s cloudy skies, I guess I’ll just need to plan to be in Argentina in June 2019.
I’m going with an organised tour based in Nashville, booked in to the viewing site at Hopkinsville Community College. In the two weeks leading up to the eclipse, I’ll be in New York, then Philadelphia to see Roger Waters, New Orleans, Memphis (including 40th anniversary of Elvis’s death), then Nashville (pilgrimage to Third Man Records).
As you say, it depends on what part of Oregon. Historically, the coast has a 44% chance of clear skies. The Willamette Valley (Corvallis, Salem, Albany) has a 67-69% chance, and the high desert (Redmond) has 88+%.
We are hoping to situate ourselves somewhere between Hwys 19 and 395 north of Hwy 26. Fly into Seattle on the 16th so have plenty of time to drive down and explore.
That’s not quite what I meant. I’m saying that compared with other times of the year, late August has the best chance of clear skies in the morning. That’s for the Willamette Valley, mainly, but that’s the area I have most experience with. In July, by contrast, it’s common for there to be morning clouds from marine air that’s moved in from the coast overnight. That can happen in August too, but it becomes less common the further you get into summer.
It really depends on whether there’s a high pressure area over the western part of the state. Those generally block the marine air and bring hotter air from the south. And those become more common as summer goes along.
I have to work at Eugene Public Library that day, but the library is opening late so we can all go out and watch the (partial) eclipse. I have no desire to fight the crowds and traffic jams. My guess is that I-5 will come to a standstill that might take hours to get moving.
I live about 30 minutes from the coast, smack dab in the middle of the path. I’ll be at work that day at a local casino and the general consensus is that we’re going to be stuck at work because the roads will be so jammed. I normally give myself 15 minutes to get to work, I might have to give myself an hour or more. Getting home is going to be a whole other story. The papers and such are suggesting you make sure your car is gassed up and you’re well stocked on food and supplies. I’m not looking forward to it honestly, because it’s going to be chaotic and all the highways here are 2 lanes.
Anybody based around Shaniko (north of Bend)? I’ve got camping reservations in Central Wa at Brooks Memorial State Park at bit north of the Dalles. Planning to head down from there early in the morning and just pick a spot in the totality and pull over. Any recommendations will be greatly welcome.
Considering the population of Shaniko was 36 at the last census (and it’s practically a metropolis compared to the surrounding area), the odds of a Doper living there aren’t good.
The good news is you’ll miss most of the traffic from Portlanders trying to get to the Madras area on 26. But who knows what it will be like. There are probably plenty of people with the same plan. Whether that means an extra 20 minutes of driving, twice as long, or a parking lot all Monday is anyone’s guess.
Not to discourage you - it’s as good a plan as any. Good luck!