Total eclipse of the heart? Well, maybe not quite, although the image of totality crossing the sky above Lusk and Niobrara County did steal the breath away from many. Lusk got its own two minutes of fame from 11:46 to 11:48 on Tuesday, August 21, 2017 as the coast-to-coast total solar eclipse made its way across our western sky to the tune of hollering and clapping from those watching in Lusk. K2radio reports that over 217,000 extra vehicles visited Wyoming with locations such as Jay Em and Glendo being some of the best viewing areas this side of the state. 

Dubbed a chance of a lifetime to view, events planned for the course of the weekend went off without a hitch. “I think it went very well thanks to all the volunteers who helped” states Jackie Bredthauer, Niobrara County Chamber Director. Bredthauer spent the last year planning different events for the weekend before the eclipse including hay ride tours of Lusk, county tours, and a key-note speaker, Stan Graves. “We received many compliments and many said they would return” says Bredthauer, adding, “It was great to visit with so many people from all over the world”.

With traffic backed up both the northern and southern directions, streets quickly became parking lots as many gave up on finding a viewing area and parked curbside with a lawn chair to watch the spectacle. Some, even took to the air. “They were out of Longmont Colorado [and] a lot of fun” says Royce Thompson, airport supervisor. While many may not realize it, Lusk and Niobrara County have quite the airport just east of town. Over the weekend planes took their turns landing on the tarmac and setting up site to watch the eclipse. Two of these planes carried a group of people Thompson is referring to above, sky divers who took off and decided to get a true front row seat to the eclipse as they bailed from the plane and watched the moon cover the sun from the sky. In total, thirty-five planes landed at the airport, “I had a great time with the pilots and a fun day overall. Great bunch of people and very patient” comments Thompson.  

First contact was made at 10:24am when the sun lost a small corner of itself to the moon. From there, up until totality at 11:46:22, the sun dipped slower and slower behind the moon. At first, the wind began to pick up and a chill came around, although a 10- 15 degree temperature drop is said to be normal. As the moon moved across the sun, crescent figures appeared in the shadows of trees mimicking the moons progress. With the moon halfway covered, the skies began to dim and the breeze died down. At three quarters of the way into totality, there was no more wind and the stop lights were extremely bright. A full totality came and anyone could view the wonderment without glasses. The moon covered the sun entirely and left only a circular ray of light left to be seen. And this is when the clapping began. For two minutes we all got a chance to see a once in a lifetime event that truly did take our breath away and, just maybe, our heart.