Jim Dailey

Our second Total Eclipse of the Sun … Monday, April 8, 2024

On the 21st day of August 2017, Patti and I ventured into Tennessee to witness and photograph our very first total eclipse of the sun. It was our first, it was amazing and it set in motion our desire and the planning urge seven years in the future when another totality would occur … this time in our home state … Arkansas The Natural State.

In 2017, I was involved with the Arkansas Parks Heritage and Tourism Department. Within days of returning from Tennessee, I began nudging the department to get ready for visitors from 50 states and many countries. To the credit of the Parks and Tourism Commission, the planning worked and every city in the path … big or small … was ready. Patti and I spent a perfect, cloudless eclipse Monday in Morrilton, Arkansas supporting this community and our friends, Mayor Allen Lipsmeyer and his smiling, energetic wife, Stephanie. What a day it was … fun, food, families, friends plus over four minutes of Total Eclipse darkness. Below is a photo grouping of three shots I took with my Sony A7. My main goal was to capture what has been called, The Diamond Ring and … I think I nailed it! What you see in the photo is: Top, the thin crescent sun, maybe 30 seconds before full coverage; Middle, the instant of coverage when the last big burst of sunlight sparkles from the moon’s edge creating, the Diamond Ring and Bottom, about 30 seconds into the full totality. Once again, it was amazing, it was surreal, it was indescribable, it was REAL. I’m so thankful we had great weather and that we were able to share this with our friends. It is doubtful I will be around for the next one in 2044 but I will continue to relish the memories and photos of 2017 and this one ,,, ARKANSAS ECLIPSE 2024.

An Eclipse is somewhat rare, maybe once in a lifetime for some but … ARKANSAS IS THE NATURAL STATE … EVERYDAY

Below is a Charlie Brown Christmas photo at Falling Water Falls in the Richland Creek Wilderness area. My hiking buddy, his girlfriend and I camped and hiked there two days before the Eclipse. My point … awesome natural wonders abound. The stars were stunning … almost as breathtaking as the eclipse. We have several dark sky areas in the state and i promise you a spellbinding, magical, almost spiritual experience. Just get away from the city lights and have that awestruck moment.

In addition, we have 52 of the best state parks in the United States, plus the first National River declared by Congress … The Buffalo National River. Sure, we will talk about the Eclipse in all its wonder but there is unmatched beauty in the mountains, rivers and right now in the wild flowers blooming throughout Richland Creek, Indian Creek and so many other places to be discovered … right here in Arkansas.

Falling Water Creek in the Richland Creek Wilderness Area … circa, December 2022 during the annual Charlie Brown Campout and Tree decorating outing.

For more photos and commentary on my favorite spots to hike, camp and simply “enjoy”, scroll deeper into this blog. Arkansas is truly The Natural State.