Sweet Willie wrote:champs2005 wrote:Any ideas on what we might expect to find besides mega-crowds?
Just reiterating the crowds. I'm heading to KC, then drive north to St Joseph for the eclipse, the drive which would take 50-55mins normally is expected to take 4-5 hours. Totality is ~1:30pm and I have a 7:15pm flight out of MCI which is on the north side of KC so I still feel confident that I'll make my flight.
My wife was born and raised in St. Jo and lived in Kansas City for several years before I dragged her up to Chicago. In 38 years of being together we've made close to a hundred return visits to the area. I know the path from KC to St. Jo, and the airport in between, very well. On a normal traffic day, it's an easy 40 minute/40 mile ride. There's no telling what effect eclipse viewers will have on that travel time.
Frankly, there's little to do in St. Jo other than see the eclipse. No noteworthy places to eat, and not much in the way of tourist attractions (unless you have a deep seated interest in the origins of the Pony Express). If you're genuinely concerned about getting back to MCI in time to make your flight, I wouldn't even leave the airport.
The path of totality extends all the way south to KC and you'll be 20 miles north of that. The biggest difference will likely be the amount of time you'll experience the eclipse, probably about 40 seconds less than in St. Jo. If you want more time without going the full 40 miles north, split the difference and stop somewhere along the way. Then after the eclipse has passed, head back south to the northern fringes of KC to kill some time. You can grab a throwback smashdown Burger at LC's (different from the BBQ joint) or Hayes Hamburgers & Chili before heading back MCI.
Just my curmudgeonly two cents. Have a great trip!
Buddy
LC's Hamburgers7612 NW Prairie View Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64151
(816) 741-6027
Hayes Hamburgers2502 NE Vivion Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64118
(816) 453-5575