Eclipse Trip/Horn Reunion Part II

We woke up before 7 am on Monday and peeked out the window of the ranch house to see DENSE FOG! Oh my goodness, we were so downhearted. We all were praying in our hearts for the skies to clear, but we were also considering the fact that we might miss the totality of the eclipse altogether. And it was horrible! We decided to go with our plan and head for a little town called Arnold, which was about an hour from us and on our way south, back to Texas. It was also directly in the path of totality, which was the most important thing. Side note: Miles either wants to start a band or write a song called "Path of Totality."

As we drove, the clouds started breaking up; there were bits of blue sky peeking through the clouds, and by the time we arrived in Arnold, we were GIDDY with excitement because the clouds were almost totally gone. What a blessing!

We found a spot in the Arnold State Recreation Area, which was awesome because it was surrounded by cornfields, as all the best bits of Nebraska are. We donned our glasses, set up a shade tent and waited, but not for very long! The eclipse was beginning!

We marveled at the change in the light and couldn't get enough of the whole experience! It was absolutely magical. Totality was approaching! Looking back is fun because I realize we had absolutely no idea how cool this moment was about to become.

When totality occurred, we were all completely blown away. There have been words popping in and out of my head ever since that moment, and I feel overwhelmed with awe every time I think about it. Nothing in my life has ever made me feel that way. Nothing! Ever! Neal and I were saying that the closest thing to it that we have experienced was being inside one of the Great Pyramids. It was transcendent. There was a sense of heavenly awe, just a taste of what I think one day we may feel when the Savior comes or when we are reunited with loved ones we have lost. It was magnificent, it was emotional, it was literally the most beautiful thing I have ever seen with my own two eyes. Part of the reason it was so incredible, we think, was that it only lasted a moment, around two minutes. We knew it was fleeting, and that made it even more special. I truly don't want to ever forget it.

The man next to us was from Colorado and had some amazing equipment for documenting the eclipse. He took these pictures! And took this video with his drone! You can spot us in it . . . 

So we are planning a trip to Argentina in 2019. Totality goes right through Neal's mission, and he hasn't been back yet . . . 

Eclipse Trip/Horn Reunion 2017 Part I

A few years ago, we realized that the ranch in Brewster, Nebraska would be in the path of totality for the big Solar Eclipse of 2017. The Horns decided to forego the usual Fourth of July reunion this year and gather for this awesome event! Martha, Georgia, Charlotte and Neal's families headed to the ranch this past weekend and had the most incredible time!

It was a really short trip, compared to our usual jaunts up I-35, but the kids have already started school, so our time was limited. We left Friday afternoon and spent the night in Concordia, Kansas, after a yummy dinner at Spangles, in Salina. We had fun comparing Miles' hair to Elvis' over burgers.

Once at the ranch on Saturday, we had fun with cousins. Savannah, Emmaline, Oliver, Tucker and Johnny were there. A great group!

Tubing is a must.

A really cool storm rolled in on Saturday afternoon. We loved watching the skies change from the top of the hill, where the house is. But it made us really nervous for Monday's eclipse-viewing forecast!

Sunday was a pretty day; we just chilled at the house. Charlotte and Tyler brought a screen printing machine so we could make t-shirts.

Pretty pics of the ranch from Gail's daughter-in-law, Kristi.

We all tried to get to bed early Sunday night so we'd be ready for the big day on Monday! Prayers were being said up and down that house for clear skies!

A weekend in Athens

We always love revisiting the old Shelby Chapel that Neal's great grandparents built in the 1890s in Athens, Texas. Their infant sone was the first one buried here and the chapel and cemetery grew up around him. Every Memorial Day, the local descendants gather for a service in the church and a potluck lunch. We are proud to be among them, representing the Horn family!

 We also picked some lovely blueberries at Echo Springs Blueberry Farm. We brought bushels home!

San Antonio for VASE

Audrey was invited to go to San Antonio for the State VASE (art) competition. She rode down on the bus with her peers, but then I flew down there during the day so she could fly back with me to get home earlier than the bus. Long story. Fun day! I enjoyed myself at the McNay Museum and the Japanese Tea Garden.

Louisiana Weekend

Neal and I stayed the night at one of my favorite places in the world: Oak Alley Plantation. It was pure magic to be there overnight. We took a late night stroll down the alley of oaks, and in the morning did the same thing, only to find little families of foxes running back and forth from their dens. There are little cottages on the back of the plantation property that are so well-appointed and perfect. I highly recommend this getaway!

I met a relation during our tour of the plantation! A sweet man named Dennis LeVasseur!

Next, we headed into New Orleans to the Monteleone, one of our standards. We were in town to see a Radiohead concert, but also enjoyed all our usual haunts!