Witnessing the April 8, 2024 eclipse was nothing short of magic.
I watched it with my daughters at Sam Dale Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Southern Illinois, which is about 4 and a half hours from Chicago. The lake, nestled in the heart of the Illinois countryside, was the perfect setting for watching this eclipse. I didn’t have much service or contact with anyone else, but it didn’t matter. I was witnessing history.
The park has campsites, day-use shelters and lots of fields, giving us plenty of room to enjoy the eclipse without being stuck in a crowd. I had originally planned to go to Carbondale and watch at the SIU event in the stadium, but I’m glad I chose Sam Dale Lake instead.
We arrived at the lake in the morning, having just driven from St. Louis, armed with our solar viewing glasses, a cooler full of snacks and beverages, and anticipation.
I was nervous about traffic, so I gave us a good two or three hours before the eclipse began. I took the girls to the playground and chatted with other excited eclipse viewers.
When the partial eclipse began, we would peer up periodically to see the change. It was amazing, but nothing compared with totality. We watched as the moon cloaked the sun, leaving only a radiant halo.
It was a sight to behold. It felt like a dream. I didn’t know what to say or do. We all (my daughters and I and a stranger who joined our shelter with us) jumped in excitement. The birds stopped their songs, and a hush fell over the lake. The crickets even started chirping!
It was as if nature itself was holding its breath.
We were awestruck. It was a moment of shared wonder, a memory forever into our hearts.
I’m so glad I took my girls on this adventure, even if the drive home took almost 6 hours. Totality was so worth it.
Until our next adventure, keep exploring and keep dreaming.
Love and light, Marette
Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.