Many people came to our area to see the eclipse. Some planned to pull off I-57 for just a couple of hours, and wound-up staying longer.
MARION, Ill. (WSIL)--- Many people came to our area to see the eclipse. Then they had to travel back home. Some planned to pull off I-57 for just a couple of hours and wound up staying longer.
A lot of Tesla drivers had to recharge their cars while watching the solar eclipse.
It looked like a watching party for some Teslas at the Mach One gas station in Marion. One traveler from Brunswick, Georgia, said they only planned to be in town for the eclipse.
"I think by the time we are all around, and the eclipse will be in full swing, we are going to stay here," Mike said.
A line of electric vehicles wrapped around the gas station.
Some people started setting up the telescopes to get ready for the viewing.
Many people, including Jenna Sissom, were not surprised by the long wait. She said each car takes an average of 30 minutes to charge.
"We went by a charger in Kentucky that was backed up like this. But we were actually coming to the Carbondale area, so we figured we'd just wait and then watch it here, I guess," Sissom said.
Some people traveling from Atlanta said they've been here since 10:00 a.m., and they plan to watch the whole solar event at the gas station.
Lisa Dean says her family spent 14 hours on a turnaround trip from Orange Park, Florida, to watch the eclipse.
"No, we weren't expecting to be at the charging station for the eclipse. We were hoping to be out at a park or something like that," Dean said.
Dean says watching a total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for her and something she can cross off her wish list.
"And I said there were 50 places and experiences I wanted to have when I turned 50. And this is one of them. I've never gotten to see a total eclipse," Dean said.
People from all over the U.S. made charging their cars into cherishable moments. A lot of kids became scientists for the day and got to test out their homemade science projects.
Myrah and Jaslyn came from Atlanta with their families.
"I'm really excited. And we also made these masks," Jaslyn said. "To cover the full rays of the sun so nothing bleeds through," Myrah continued.
Many travelers said they are heading home after the solar eclipse is over, and their chargers are full.
