At around noon on Saturday October 14 2023 an annular (not annual) eclipse (not ellipse) of the sun will occur across Texas. Goose Island State Park is in or near the path. An annular eclipse is not quite total because the moon is too far from the Earth to completely cover the sun. At the maximum, a narrow ring of the sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, is visible as a "ring of fire" around the dark center. Pretty cool.
This event will be up to four nights of car camping at Goose Island State Park. I have reserved and paid the four best remaining (water-only, no electricity) walk-in (short) campsites (219, 220,221, and 222) for our use at $10 per night + personal entry fees. We can settle up at the park but please tell me to hold a campsite for you if you intend to come. At some point, I will give you a cancellation deadline and cancel any unneeded campsites.
We can put three tents (max 8 people and two vehicles) on a site. We may not be able to get more tent sites as the date approaches. If you want trailer sites, you should reserve your own. As of 5/28, there are plenty of trailer sites and bayfront and "wooded area" and tent sites available.
We will do day paddles on Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, we can hang out and watch the eclipse or you can organize paddles on your own if you wish. I will post the individual day paddles on the calendar later but you can register for the event and contact me to stake a campsite claim now.
Please also let me know if you plan to stay at the park with your own separate accommodations to help me plan day paddles.
To prevent serious eye damage, you must use correct eye protection during the entire eclipse! You already know this. Research and find your own eye protection.
The Big Tree is a short drive from the state park. The whooping cranes are on their way but probably will not have arrived yet.
Goose Island SP is a three hour drive about 180 miles northeast of Houston near Fulton and Rockport.
Directions:
To reach the park from downtown Houston, take US 59 southwest to Victoria, then US 77 to TX 239, and left (south) on TX 35 tot eh park near Fulton, TX.
The Park HQ is located at:
Latitude (degrees, minutes, seconds) N: 28° 018' 01"
Longitude (degrees, minutes, seconds) W: 96° 59' 03.57"
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Trip Leader Carl Kuhnen 713-444-3315
Trip Assistants Pending
Emergency Initiator TBD
Trip Rating 2
Ready to Launch at
Duration
Paddling miles
Emergency Phone #s 911
Goose Island State Park 361-729-2858
Aransas CountySheriff 361-729-2222
Latest Expected Return TBD
Auto Description Blue-green Honda CRV - FWC 6215
Distance from Houston 180 miles, about tthree hours
Hazards Oysters, snakes, insects, dehydration, bay chop. Slippery boat ramp. Slight chance of bears, rattlesnakes, and tarantulas. Remember sun protection, water, and good footwear.
!!! Eye damage !!! You already know this, but you must use the correct type of eye protection throughout the entire eclipse to look at the sun. Research and find your own!
* Trip ratings are only a guide. Actual conditions will vary with wind and other weather conditions.
This is an ACA sanctioned event. All participants in ACA-insured activities must wear properly-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets (Personal Flotation Devices, or PFDs) at all times during on-water activities. Non-HASK participants must sign a waiver.
Waivers - Please complete our easy to use online waiver if you are a HASK member who has not signed a waiver within the last 12 months or a non- HASK participant. Read the waiver carefully. You give up substantial rights when you sign it.
- Add Smartwaiver with email address “noreply@smartwaiver.com” to your address book to ensure emails do not go to junk/spam.
- Select a link below to complete the online waiver.
ACA-HASK Adult Waiver ACA-HASK Minor Waiver
- Respond to the “Confirm your E-Signature” email from ACA / HASK to confirm your email address. Wavier is now complete and valid.
- You will receive a confirmation email. Please download and print a copy of the waiver and bring it to the trip put-in.