VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Mt. Trashmore wasn’t listed as an official place to watch the eclipse, but everyone knew where to come if they wanted to get closer view.
There were lots of families out, and everyone had a good vibe to watch the wonder of it all.
Everyone had the special glasses, and we caught up with a few of them to ask them about this moment in our history that we all shared together at Mt. Trashmore where we all were a little closer to the partial eclipse.
The person who traveled farthest was Chris Hiltz from Ontario Canada.
“I’m looking through this welding helmet and right now the bottom right of the sun is blocked by the moon, and it is just slowly taking over more of the sun’s space moving up to the left.”
Norfolk resident Jacob Santana was with Hiltz.
“I see the spot on the bottom right and it is getting bigger. It’s crazy how slow it’s going when the moon is going so fast.”
Virginia Beach resident Kenya Escoe was out with her family making sure they all watched this together.
“I wanted to see GOD’s creation. It’s something. I remember years ago, it is always exciting to see it again with the family. I think everyone is really excited, and it’s really relaxing to see GOD’s creation, really excited to see that.”
The Turner family from Virginia Beach was out in force. Dad, Sam Turner made sure all were here and paid attention.
“Why did I bring out the family. We thought it would be good for them to see the eclipse since we haven’t had one since 2017. It’s good time for them to be out and experience it.
Brendyn Manning was out here with friends.
“Same as everybody. We see it moving. Bottom right corner. Looks like somebody took a small bite out of it. Actually, a good way to describe it. It looks like a cookie.”
Jovon Rivera brought her children out. She says she’s an expert in astrology,
“I brought my kids. I wanted to have this experience with them. I’m excited to take it all in with them to make it a big memory for them.”
Adele Tignor from Norfolk was laying down looking up, we asked to join her. It really is a more comfortable way to watch an eclipse. It is easier on the neck,
“It really is moving quickly. I would describe it as PAC-MAN crunching and biting going along. Not Ms. PAC-MAN but the regular PAC-MAN. It looks like a crescent moon.”
First Landing State Park was also a popular spot to get a prime position to see the solar eclipse.
“We knew it was a big event and the next one wasn’t going to be until 2044, so we really wanted the kids to get to see science in real life,” Anna McKenzie, a Virginia Beach mom, said.
Some viewed the action in the sky — of course, with eclipse glasses.
“It is incredible,” one woman said. “It’s this tiniest little sliver. I am so emotional about it. It’s so beautiful.”
Others were fascinated with the trees. The leaves reflected a crescent shape.
The Thomas family used an online tutorial to have the most unique view.
“There are two lenses and the sun will be focused in on one point and the Barlow lens here will project it onto the paper,” Shane Thomas said.
The McKenzie family used cardboard and aluminum foil to get the perfect view.
“You face the other way from the sun,” Sorrell McKenzie explained. “You look in the hole and you will see a small dot and the moon moving across.”
A childhood memory brought the McKenzie family to First Landing State Park. Anna McKenzie said she wanted her kids to have a similar experience to the one she had as a little girl.
”To be able to see the moon actually move across the sun, I think, will be memorable,” she said. “I actually remember doing it myself in second grade. My mom pulled me out of school to do it.”
She wasn’t the only one who said the experience struck a chord.
“I saw it when I was in fourth grade,” Dianne Marzec said. “We didn’t have glasses then we had to watch on paper on the ground.”
No matter how people viewed it, most agreed the experience was stunning.”
“It’s beautiful,” one father told his little girl.