“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened” – Dr. Seuss

MAZATLÁN TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE, APRIL 8, 2024

It’s been a year in the planning, since our friend, Jayne, first asked us to join her in Mazatlán, México for the total solar eclipse, due to last an incredible 4.25 minutes! This would make it the second longest on its North American trajectory. An immediate and demonstrative “YES! We’re in!” was our reply to her.

Road trip! We’re privileged to be close enough to hit the road for the six hour drive over the mountains to reach “The Pearl of the Pacific” and witness in real time, a once in a lifetime event.

“Land ho!” Sailors would cry out in first spotting land. In the case of the total solar eclipse, Mazatlán was in the direct path as it first hit its shores and the 13-mile long Malecón (longest in the world), as it emerged from far out in the Pacific Ocean. Here, the weather would almost be guaranteed to be perfect.

Departing days prior, we hit the pricey Mexican toll roads ($240 RT!) with our fully-loaded car headed NW. We filled our neighbor’s Coleman cooler with food and libations; as I wanted to prepare dinner for our small group of five eclipsers. Also, David had ordered a package of glasses a year before and was able to give some away to friends. But most importantly, my Nespresso maker came along – why leave home without it?!

The booming beach resort of just under 500,000 became ground zero for this spectacle. The port city tends to be a much quieter version and doesn’t get the throngs of tourists that Puerto Vallarta or Cancun gets.

A very slow drive after Sunday brunch along the Malecón provided for perfect photo ops of the wild and fantastical sculptures lining the promenade. Followed by a stroll through the old historic Centro and its charming architectural buildings.

In normal times, Semana Santa, aka Easter Week, reaches a rising crescendo in Mazatlán; becoming crazy and chaotic with its increase of landlocked Mexicans taking their holiday spring break by the shore during the two week celebration. Additionally, there were another 150,000 projected tourists specifically attending the eclipse.

Add, too, the entourage of the Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, popularly known as AMLO, who joined in the festivities, marked by endless helicopters flying up ‘n down the coast. NASA had selected Mazatlán for a watch party and live stream.

Fortunately for us, our wonderful accommodations were in newly developing North Mazatlán – far enough away from the madding crowds along the Malecón six miles south. A prior Easter time visit two years ago showed us how busy the restaurants are; hence, we packed enough food for Armageddon … in ancient times, an eclipse was seen as a catastrophic omen. We’d be stocked and ready.

It’s early Monday morning, and Jayne and I went down to the beach to claim a grass palapa; it was not much longer until all were taken. We’d take turns protecting our precious little piece of real estate, while Jayne was preparing her famous breakfast croissants, stuffed with ham, and covered in a rich, cheesy bechamel sauce, and topped with eggs … baked until sublime perfection. Mimosas helped it all go down easily.

The anticipation was building as the 9:51 start of the partial eclipse approached. The sun’s heat would slowly dissipate, the ocean color would start changing hues as it darkened; the absence of seabirds, and even the beach dogs found a place to lie down to sleep. Everybody seemed to be holding their breath, and a silence came over the beach, all eyes up and then …

… at precisely 11:07, with the last vestiges of the sun’s orange glow gone, and with glasses off, a crescendo arose of people, crying, screaming, shouting, yelling, praying … with all the accompanying wows, OMG’s, it’s mind-blowing, et al. An immediate and emotional moment takes over, with reactions differing from person to person.

At 11:11, it was over – clocking in at 4:25 minutes. This lifetime experience condensed into a few precious minutes. The partial eclipse would slowly continue for over another hour or so. We sat dumbstruck in the glow of the moment. Gradually, the chill in the air was replaced again by sunshiny warmth and life goes on.

Personally, I got goose bumps and became quiet, reflecting and soaking it all in, which you all know is very hard for me. All that was running through my mind was that the universe is more powerful than any of us. Amen. I felt richer and blessed to have experienced such an incredible natural wonder.

Some basic facts: a total eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, completely blocking out the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth. This phenomenon can only happen during a new moon when the three celestial bodies are aligned in a straight line.

The total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, was one of the most anticipated astronomical events of the decade. The path of totality – the narrow strip where the sun is completely obscured by the moon, stretched from the Pacific coast of Mexico, through Texas, and up into the northeastern United States, passing through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermont, and Maine; with 32 million living in its pathway in the U.S., before departing Canada.

For many locations within the path of totality, the eclipse lasted around two to four minutes, during which observers experienced darkness akin to the light of dusk. Outside of this path, observers still saw a partial eclipse, though the degree of coverage will vary depending on their location.

Next total solar eclipse: 2026 – visible in Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, for a maximum of 2 minutes, 18 seconds of totality; but with potential problematic weather in the path. Will I become an eclipse chaser? Stay tuned.

You know I can’t leave without at least some food photos …