IN a NUTSHELL: Hope you can join us for this special hike at Frazier-Rowe Park here in my own "Oak Grove" neighborhood in NE metro Atlanta. The latest "spot forecasts" expect a beautiful and mostly sunny afternoon in the mid-70s. With a little cooperation from the passing clouds we should have some memorable views of this much-publicized "2024 Great American Solar Eclipse" at various unforested clearings along the way. (Had very similar weather at the same park for last October's "partial-annular" eclipse - see above telephoto). To ensure safe viewing I'll bring at least 15 pairs of NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses to share - and also two solar-filtered binoculars for safe magnified views. (They worked out well last Oct. and also for our unforgettable 2017 Great American Total Eclipse experience at Lake Keowee, SC. )
As viewed from Georgia and several other southeastern states this Monday the "new moon's" dark round disc will pass almost directly between the earth & sun. In such almost-total partial eclipses the sun gradually appears to have a very narrow crescent shape and then become round again. Here in metro Atlanta the Eclipse will begin at about 1:45 pm EDT, reach a max of 82% totality at ~3:05 pm, and end at 4:21 pm. Click here for an excellent Atlanta-area webpage for the Eclipse with its "sped-up video preview" (click "play arrow") of the moon's shadow as it "morphs" across the sun's disc: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/@7317842?iso=20240408 The "Path of Totality" northeastward across the U.S. will be a ~115-mile-wide swath sweeping from Mexico through Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Ohio, New York & Maine (+ small portions of other states) - then via eastern Canada into the North Atlantic.
THE PARKS and our HIKE PLAN: Frazier-Rowe Park and its interconnecting Coralwood Nature Preserve are beautiful DeKalb County parks just a 5-minute walk from my home. I'm proud to be among the dozens of park "friends" who volunteer year-round to improve & maintain the networks of trails and help ensure the health & variety of native trees, shrubs, flowers, birds & wildlife. On this easy but adventurous ~3-mile hike we'll discuss these fascinating flora & fauna while exploring the gently rolling creekside terrain. There are a numerous pretty clearings along our hike route where we can safely observe the eclipse's phases and their curious effects on tree shadows, bird calls, etc.
WHERE & WHEN? We'll gather at 1:30 PM by the shady Frazier-Rowe Park main trailhead & bulletin board. This spot is directly beside the entrance to "Sprig Restaurant at the edge of the woods in the east end of the Vista Grove shopping center's big free parking lot. See Directions & GPS Info below, and for a zoomable map or satellite view click the above square blue & green "Event Location" icon. Suggested items to wear & bring are below, and even if you've already already had lunch consider bringing and carrying a snack & water.
CANINE COMPANIONS are OK. Bring your well-behaved dog if you like, but make sure that he or she is leashed and under your control at all times, and in your registration notes please indicate size, breed, name, etc.
MORE ABOUT the PARKS: DeKalb County's Frazier-Rowe Park was founded in 2013 and named for two families of different ethnicity who lived in harmony there in the mid- 20th century. The Park and its adjoining Coralwood Nature Preserve boast together about 15 acres of panoramic natural terrain. The trail network, floral gardens, bridges and other structures have been designed, built and maintained by hard-working local citizens, Boy Scout volunteers, etc. Our "Friends of Frazier-Rowe" volunteer group has been awarded thousands of dollars in "park prize grants" for our good works, with the funds applied toward construction of a picnic/concert pavilion, sidewalks, a playground and more - affirms that folks of all ages can make a difference in their community while having fun working together in the great outdoors!
- For a Trail Map of the Frazier-Rowe/ Coralwood parklands click: http://frazier- rowepark.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/5/6/31560939/frazierrowepark map2018nov5_kaplan.pdf
- For Lee Wang's colorful "ReLive" video of last October's eclipse hike at Frazier-Rowe Park click here and then also the "Play" arrow: https://www.relive.cc/view/vxOQQgWXk2O
- For Joyce Taaffe's colorful photo album of our Jan 2022 Frazier- Rowe hike click: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/? vanity=joyce.taaffe&set=a.1016031374637526
- For More Park Info & Photos click: http://frazier-rowepark.weebly.com and: https://www .facebook.com/FrazierRowePark/ |
| Event Directions: |  | TRAILHEAD ADDRESS: 2860 LaVista Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
For a zoomable color MAP and satellite view of this gathering spot click the square blue & green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article.
If you're Driving from the I-85 Clairmont Road Exit in NE Atlanta, the trailhead is just 2.5 miles SE of that exit:
1. From I-85 Exit #91 (GA- 23, "Clairmont Rd") take Clairmont toward Decatur (south & slightly east) about 1.6 miles to the traffic light at LaVista Road.
2. Turn Left onto LaVista and go eastward 0.9 mile (THROUGH the next traffic light at Oak Grove Rd) to the small "Vista Grove Plaza" shopping center on your Left. Look for "Sprig Restaurant" on the east end of the parking lot by the woods. We've always found plenty of convenient free parking in that lot.
3. We'll gather at Frazier-Rowe Park's main trailhead & bulletin board, just a few yards from the Sprig entrance. Please be on time, allowing for traffic.
GPS or Maps.Google.com Users: You may prefer entering the following concise "Lat/Lon" coordinates in lieu of the above "Sprig" street address for our gathering spot. (Be sure to include the comma & minus sign.) 33.8256, -84.2893 | |
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