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

In May 2002, Kim received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, majoring in Art with a Theatre minor.

After spending a brief R&R time at home, Kim has now moved to Chicago - hopefully to find better job prospects.

See graduation photos
graduation video

Posted by Dan 06/17/2002

Went to watch Nik in his final road race with the Cal Poly team. Since he'll graduate in the Fall, he'll be able to race the Fall Mountain Bike season but won't be around for next year's Spring RoadRace season.

This one was a criterium--a fast, multi-lap race around a short, flat course on paved city streets. Although hosted by Stanford University, the course was a five-cornered, half-mile loop in Morgan Hill, adjacent to the headquarters of Specialized Bicycle Components (who just happen to be one of the most popular makers of racing bicycles in the world).


Posted by Dan 04/25/2011

Una otra semana a la costa, una otra semana de viviendo la vida.

Last week was the April low-tides, which meant another week of intertidal work, sun on my skin, and sand between my toes. I got to see a new part of the coast, as we had to visit some experimental sites I have not yet been to. So we spent a few days in the north of the Ecuadorian coastline, in the Esmeraldas. I loved it! Not as much tourism, just some little sleepy fishing towns, lots of green tropical vegetation, and some of the best ceviche I have had yet, with shrimp pulled in from the sea just a few hours prior to being in my stomach.

You can't possibly be ferocious with big brown eyes like that!

Posted by Whitney 04/27/2011