BERLIN — As eclipse-watchers converged on Vermont from faraway places and rerouted flights from the South to catch a better glimpse, Lisa and Rick Durkee sat ready in their lawn chairs in their garage on Monday afternoon.
They appreciated the out-of-state visitors, with Lisa Durkee surmising they would help Vermont businesses. But they also felt lucky to be at home, they said shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday — less than a half-hour before this town on the outer edge of the path of totality would be cloaked in darkness for about half a minute.
A family member had sent the 61-year-olds drone photos from St. Johnsbury, where totality will exceed 3 minutes, and large crowds had gathered downtown.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Lisa Durkee said of their front-row seats. “I’m glad we didn’t have to drive anywhere.”
