I'm lucky in that I lived in the path of totality. I watched it from the base of my favorite ski area, with my partner and a group of our best friends. And at least a couple hundred other people, if not well over a thousand.

Part of what was so magical about this was the human experience we all had together, and i say this as someone who usually hates large gatherings. You could physically feel the energy of the crowd shift.

It got quiet. So quiet. And then... People cried. People shouted. People laughed. People hugged. We all walked away changed. The energy in the parking lot afterwards was different. Everyone on the mountain is friends til proven otherwise, but this was different. We were all bonded by what we'd seen. Random people circled up to share beers, waters, joints, and conversation.

It was one of, if not the most beautiful things I've ever experienced.

I'm so happy I didn't watch it alone from a kayak as I initially planned.

I think I'm a chaser now.