The clouds swirled around and moved to the southeast. The weather improved as the smaller patches of blue sky opened all around. Soon we were in a clear patch. This is where I decided we should stay. We were up on a little hill.
People set up equipment.
I was confident that we would be okay, despite the mud in the field. I set up my camcorder on the tripod to capture the darkening and the shadow. The children climbed the 20 foot haystack and people ate lunch and set up. The moon kept up its rapid advance and then it was half covered. I shouted to look at the swallows that came out to feed on the insects that were all of a sudden coming out- 20 minutes before totality.