While the total solar eclipse drew thousands of visitors to the Green Mountain State on Monday, Vermonters also took in the rare celestial event for themselves — in some cases, traveling hours to or from the path of totality. We asked you to share your Vermont total solar eclipse stories with us. Here’s a snapshot of what you, our readers, told us.
“Four generations brought together by the eclipse to our home in Hinesburg.” — Ryan Morra, Hinesburg
“I expected a visual experience, but I didn’t expect the cold, the absence of bird song, and how the colors of the world became completely unsaturated near totality. It was eerie and magnificent.” — Rebecca Brookes, Burlington
“I was in Greensboro VT at Hill Farmstead Brewery. Beautiful afternoon. Well worth the 6 hours it took to get back to Windsor due to all the traffic.” — Parker Lyman
“As the eclipse hit totality we heard a cry arise from the valley. Then a larger cry went up, and the coyotes sang too. I think the coyotes scared our whooping visitors as it quieted down very quickly. We all watched in awe and joy as the sky turned dark and the sun was blocked out. It was a lovely sight in the sky, a beautiful white ring with a solid black disc in the center. Our universe is a thing of beauty.” — Devin N., Concord
“The world got very still it was lovely” — Chris Francklyn, Burlington
“Traffic may have slowed on the main roads, but we live on the tiny road that crosses the mountain from Northfield to Moretown. For three-and-a-half hours, traffic was backed up through and miles beyond our three covered bridges (and again for almost an hour after dinner). Most everyone seemed patient, but occasionally a futile horn blast could be heard. A few local vehicles were going the other way, stopping to share their amazement with us about both the eclipse and the traffic. A wrecker was waiting its turn carrying a dead out-of-state car. A police car flashed its way past the traffic. The northbound Amtrak Vermonter sounded its horn — and fortunately no driver had chosen to wait on the tracks. On our road we see some ski traffic and autumn leaf-peepers, but this was an event we likely won’t experience again until that next eclipse in 20 years!” — Dennis Bathory-Kitsz, Northfield Falls
“Totality was, of course, a sublime and un reproducible experience that can only be witnessed in person. I’ve seen two now and I’m still waiting to see a photograph or video that does totality justice. … We each took five hours to get home. There were no backroad tricks in Vermont today.” — F. X. Flinn, Quechee
“I’m (a resident assistant) and student at UVM and today professors and (the Department of Residential Life) gave us the day off to enjoy this once in a life time experience. I also work at Trader Joe’s in South Burlington and thought people coming to Burlington and spending thousands on hotel rooms was silly until I saw the eclipse and experienced just how beautiful and what a wonder it truly was.” — Kaylee Bushee, Burlington
“A lucky local, I did the 10 minute drive over to the South Hero portion of the Causeway. Lucked out with a parking spot and then a clear viewing spot out near the end. Very festive.” — Bill Backus, Milton
“We decided to paddle out on the small lake to see the 360 degree sunset sky that was predicted during a full eclipse. The dusky light, then darkness and stars coming out, and the amazing return of light. SO grateful to have seen this eclipse, and so lucky to be here for it!” — Nancy Birdsall
Correction: Dorothy Brauner’s name was misspelled in photo caption in a previous version of this story.
