A Celestial Adventure — Brian Kaiser

Earlier this year, much of the continental United States was treated to a rare solar eclipse. I made the drive from Columbus, Ohio to Southern Illinois where totality was longer than anywhere else in the country. The six and a half hour drive and the adventure that followed was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Witnessing the surreal shift in light as the moon passed in front of the sun was unlike anything I've seen before.

Like many others, I attempted to capture the beauty and experience of that day. Below are some images from my eclipse adventure.

Camp Lunch

With a day to burn in the forests of Southern Illinois, we explored the Shawnee National Forest. After a muggy hike through rocky gorges, we sat down for a much needed meal on a giant boulder.

Scouting Garden of the Gods

Ahead of the solar eclipse, we scouted several locations, including Garden of the Gods. The rocky outcropping offered a tempting vista but we opted for a more accessible and convenient location instead.

Solitude at Garden of the Gods

A pair of hikers take in the view at Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest the day before the solar eclipse.

Evening at the Lake

A gentle evening sky following a humid summer day in Southern Illinois' Shawnee National Forest.

Taking a Dip

A fellow camper treated his pup to a mid day swim ahead of the solar eclipse in Southern Illinois.

Reflections

Trees reflecting on the lake in Shawnee National Forest.

Front Row Seat to the Eclipse

While many eclipse viewers watched from the banks of the lake, some intrepid viewers took in the moondance from canoes, boats, and simple floatation devices.

Metropolis, Illinois

Nearby Metropolis was in the heart of the eclipse path of totality. The small town has capitalized on its shared name with the city of the same name in the popular Superman comics and films.