Man, let me tell you.
Short Version: Originally we had a 7-month RV reservation that was canceled on us and now we are renting a car up either the 15 freeway through Utah into Idaho, or the 395 into Oregon; we leave Saturday morning.
Long Version: I knew about the Eclipse since 2011, only started planning for it back in Dec 2016 when an article on an astronomy website indicated all hotel/motels in the state of South Carolina were booked, that's when it became real. After an exhaustive search I concluded it was better to reserve an RV due to the mobile restroom and bed, we could cover more distance that way. By January I reserved an RV through RVShare (with unlimited miles, a rarity) and invited 4 other people. The plan was to take the I-15 freeway up through California and into Utah up to Idaho Falls, ID (or Rexburg, rather).
Over the months, everyone invited bailed, and inviting new people resulted in bailing after a few months. I suppose it was on me, I didn't expect they to pay their share of the rental until the day off, so nothing kept them committed; but I suppose the hint was there since no one would give me a down payment even a quarter-way through, no one scheduled days off at their jobs. In hindsight, just saying "I'm interested" or "I'm coming" isn't enough and that's a lesson learned on me.
Finally four weeks ago, one of the last ones invited bailed in a dumb way, called my 7-month obsession "poorly planned" and he didn't like "uncertainty"; I was seriously offended because I was planning it (I went through multiple booking websites, Amtrak, Greyhound, car-rental, etc) with a reservation set and no duh it's uncertain, a solar eclipse hasn't happened in the US in decades. There isn't an itinerary template for all to follow like going to Disneyland or the Grand Canyon.
As if that wasn't enough, nail in coffin, the RV owner hits me up the next day after the last person bailed and says whoever was renting it at the time damaged it and the repairs carried through our trip. I probably had a heart attack, I don't know, if it wasn't for having aspirin nearby; my whole body was hurting (especially my upper right shoulder muscle) and couldn't breathe. Luckily, full-refund I got $1000 back, but I was in a panic. Flight+hotel+car combinations are getting expensive.
Anyway -- editted out the rant, sorry for those that read it -- plan is to drive an Enterprise rental up along 395 into Oregon, and either go down the 5 or 15 freeway, haven't made up out minds, or rather mine.
post edited by lehpron - 2017/08/15 15:41:16