Courtesy of Big Muddy Adventures
The skyline during sunset on a previous Big Muddy Adventures trip.
Excited for the eclipse? So's everyone else. The last eclipse to occur only in the United States dates back to 1257. For an eclipse path to span over the United States alone is a true rarity that most of us will only experience once in a lifetime—if that. Hotels are booked out, and Airbnbs can cost thousands of dollars.
Big Muddy Adventures wants to provide an alternative to the indoor hustle. If you're craving some time in the great outdoors, its float trip and camping experience might fit the bill. It's a quick summer getaway structured around a chance to view the anticipated Great American Eclipse of 2017, with two days hiking, canoeing, and relaxing by the campfire on Moro Island while enjoying a truly spectacular celestial event.
Big Muddy Adventures is a canoe and kayak rental and guide service that has served the great rivers region since 2005. It promises a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view a total eclipse of the sun from a “wild” island on the Mississippi.
The trip includes all canoes, paddling gear, and food for 14 guests, but make no mistake: This is not glamping. This is the perfect option for nature buffs and science lovers looking to get off the grid. “We will spend one night on a wild island, which means primitive camping so people need to be willing to deal with nature,” says adventurer Roo Yawitz, general manager of Big Muddy Adventures.
“We will meet on Sunday morning at our headquarters in North County to get all gear sorted out,” says Yawitz. “We will paddle in the afternoon, make camp, and set up for a campfire dinner. In the morning, there will be time for a campfire breakfast, time to hike and explore the island, picnic lunch, and the eclipse!”
What exactly does it mean to experience a “total” solar eclipse? This is when the moon will completely cover the sun and the corona, and anyone in the path of totality will be able to view this unique phenomenon. The last eclipse to touch American soil occurred in 1918 and the next total eclipse is scheduled for 2024 and will touch Canada, Mexico, and Central America.
The trip costs $225 per person; tickets are limited and can be purchased through Big Muddy Adventures. The trip leaves Sunday, August 20 at 10 a.m. and returns Monday, August 21.
