To the Editor:

Grant County provided the ultimate experience of a total eclipse on Aug. 21. Your community was so welcoming and prepared for this event, you made it a truly memorable visit.

We expected the worst with the crowds in such a small town, and we received the best. From the moment we arrived on Friday, shopping for last minute forgotten supplies, setting up camp at Tom and Al Olson’s place and fixing our first meal on a brand new camp stove, we were impressed with the community. We spent the weekend touring Fossil, the Painted Hills and the Paleontology center, enjoying the beautiful scenery and weather and building up anticipation for the eclipse.

And, oh my, what an eclipse. There truly are no words to convey the experience, but the town seemed to stand still in that moment with everyone sharing the same sense of awe. We live on an amazing planet in an amazing solar system, so little known but enough to appreciate the majesty of it all. And regardless of your faith, politics or personal circumstances, for that one moment all was forgotten except the ability of a small rock called the moon to block out the awesome power of our sun.

What a beautiful experience.

Your town is to be congratulated on hosting so many strangers and being a part of the biggest event of the decade. And now, back to normal for you and your community.

After a nine-hour drive on Monday (that only took seven hours on Friday), we are also back to normal. But we will never forget John Day, Al and Tom Olson, your Chamber of Commerce who graciously provided Wi-Fi access so we could reach family and all the merchants and residents who welcomed people from all over the world. And of course, the strange colored light, beautiful corona and diamond ring, from an eclipse which we hope we have a chance to see again some day.

Debbie and Kent Treen

Sammamish, Washington