The time is finally here

The final planning meetings are being held, hotels and campgrounds continue to fill their empty spaces and specially tinted glasses that are ISO 12312-2 certified have quickly become the latest “must have, sell out” items.

With less than a week to go before the big event, there’s still a few questions out there, which nobody can really answer until Monday has come and gone, such as “Will we actually get the influx of people everyone is predicting?” “Will there be enough gas, food and other supplies?” or “Will the weather make for good viewing?”

I, like many others I’ve talked to, remain excited about this once-in-a-lifetime event despite hearing the word “eclipse” in my sleep, but beyond that I’ve been impressed with how so many departments and people have come together to provide events, information and accommodations all over town.

Though the eclipse will come and go, let’s try to keep that sense of camaraderie in the town. I don’t think it will be too hard since with the school year starting up there’s plenty of chances to come out and support our youth at sporting events and other extracurriculars.

Keep in mind that though the eclipse travelers will come and go, the majority of the sky watchers live here and it’s up to us to keep Thermopolis a place that people want to visit, celestial events or not.