The Great Solar Eclipse of 2017 crossed the continent, from Oregon to South Carolina, and gave millions of people the chance to witness one of the most awe-inspiring events in the natural world.

But you had to be within the "path of totality", a narrow band across the earth's surface several thousand miles long but only about 70 miles wide. Outside that band you would only see a partial eclipse, not a total eclipse.

And there is no such thing as a "partial total eclipse", despite the impression blogs and the news media might give. I honestly think that's why so many people misunderstand the utter beauty of the spectacle; they may have seen a partial eclipse in the past that was total somewhere else, and even though they weren't in the path the news kept gushing about it being a total eclipse, so they assume they must have seen a total eclipse and just didn't find it all that impressive.


Posted by Dan 08/29/2017, revised 09/06/2017

Since competing in one a year ago, Kim has become quite serious about triathlons! Here is her latest outing, competing at the Chicago Triathlon. Way to go, Kim!!

Posted by Dan 08/31/2005

Well, I was gonna write all about the rest of Laos and Cambodia but I've fallen dreadfully behind so let's take up from our reentry into Thailand.

This time through Thailand began with a 24 hour trip from Siem Reap, in Cambodia, all the way to Krabi, with a brief stopover in Bangkok long enough to arrange the next leg. Krabi is well known for its world class climbing. The small beaches in Krabi are isolated from the mainland by towering Limestone cliffs.

Rock climbers paradise

The main beaches are Aow Nang, the busy primary stop accessible from the mainland, Railey East and Railey West, two beaches on the peninsula and accessible by boat, and Ton Sai, a tiny cove that can be accessed by boat or from Railey at low tide. Aow Nang is used as a jumping off point for the islands in the area or to catch boats to the other beaches. Railey's beaches have excellent climbing but are dominated by expensive family resorts and the families that go with them. Ton Sai is wonderfully removed from the resort beaches and far cheaper. The result: Ton Sai abounds with rock climbers from around the world; it is to rock climbing what Koh Tao is to diving.

The first day we were able to rent gear and enjoy some of Krabi's epic climbing at Ton Sai, a short walk from our bungalow. By the end of the day we could feel the effects through our unconditioned arms and opted to make the next day a day of rest.

Posted by nik 12/03/2008, revised 02/06/2009

Once upon a time, a tiny ball of snow sat atop a hill. One afternoon, a wind came along and nudged the little ball over the crown of the slope. Slowly, the ball began to roll... down, down, down. As it passed over the land, it gradually picked up more and more snow to add to its constitution. With the newly added substance, the ball rolled faster yet, garnering still more matter.

Soon, the ball rolled with such power, such momentum and strength, that to try and act on the mass in a direction other than its rollin' way was... futile.

This, my friends, is why I have not managed to inform you all of the goings-on of my Life. The snowball has been rolling, rolling, rolling, and I have been running beside it, laughing with childlike glee all the way. I will not try to run uphill through the powdery fluff to tell you of what happened at that part of the slope or describe to you what this tree looked like when we flew past it. Because while I do that, the ball is still rolling, still passing other beautiful trees, still gathering more snow and continuing on its way. Thus I can only attempt to depict the here and now, and keep rolling along with Life as it flies.

Loving and living

Posted by Whitney 06/09/2011