Eclipse chasers arrive in North Texas two days ahead of totality

Visitors from across the nation and around the globe are flocking to North Texas for the rare opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse.

“I’ve seen a partial one, back in August maybe. That was pretty cool, but this… I think this is going to be awesome,” remarked Hunter Burton, a seasoned space camp attendee.

Burton, along with his family, traveled from Las Vegas and Massachusetts to experience the event firsthand. They were among the attendees exploring the solar stroll in downtown Dallas’s Main Street Garden on Saturday, familiarizing themselves with the surroundings and stocking up on supplies.

“I had no idea that it was this popular. No idea,” expressed Michelle Burton, Hunter’s mother.

Elaine McLean, hailing from Lennoxtown, Scotland, faced challenges securing a hotel room, with 90 percent of the city’s 35,000 rooms already booked.

Monday’s eclipse will mark the third one she’s observed from the path of totality.

“We saw our first eclipse in the south of England in 1999, and then we saw our second eclipse in 2017 in South Carolina. So we’re hoping the skies will be clear, and we’ll see our third here in Texas,” shared McLean.

This time, she hopes to catch a glimpse of the stars. Each eclipse, she notes, offers a unique experience.

“It gives you tingles up your spine when it happens. It’s just most bizarre,” she added.

For those who have made extensive efforts to be within the path of totality, the predicted cloud cover is disappointing but not enough to dampen their excitement.

“We can’t change it, can we? So just have to hope for the best,” McLean remarked.

They’ll have mere minutes to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event alongside people from various corners of the globe.